Supplemental Benefits
Employee Assistance Program - First Choice
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides you, your spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, coaching and problem solving services that are free, convenient, and confidential with a licensed behavioral health provider. Receive up to three sessions with a qualified clinical expert, and access a range of online resources.
The EAP helps with a variety of family, relationship, emotional, behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse concerns, including:
• Anxiety/Depression/Other Concerns
• Mental Health Issues
• Couples/Relationships/Parenting
• Crisis Support
• Alcohol/Drug/Other Addictions
• Grief and Loss
• Work Conflict
• Domestic Violence
In addition, First Choice provides the following work-life resources:
• Legal and Financial
• Childcare and Eldercare
• Identity Theft
• Home Ownership
You can access the EAP 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 800-777-4114 or login online at www.firstchoiceEAP.com using the username highlinesd.
Acceda a información sobre el Programa de Asistencia al Empleado (PAE) en español.
VEBA
Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in a VEBA Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with a monthly payroll contribution. VEBA funds can be used to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses for you and your dependents. All contributions, investment earnings, and reimbursements are tax-free. Read through the VEBA brochure to learn more about how this valuable benefit can help you.
Visit the VEBA website to register for an online account where you can file claims for reimbursement, view your funds, and manage your investment options. Contact VEBA customer care for assistance at 888-828-4953.
Per IRS regulations, VEBA participation and contribution amounts are decided by an annual vote within your employee group.
Healthy Kids Now through Apple Health
Infants through teenagers may be eligible to receive free or low cost health insurance in Washington State. Many families qualify and don’t know it. These programs are flexible and cover kids in many types of households. This program covers a full range of services that all children need to stay healthy. For more information, please contact or visit:
Apple Health Hotline
1-877-KIDS-NOW
www.insurekidsnow.gov
Aflac Voluntary Benefits
Highline began offering new voluntary benefits through Aflac effective January 1, 2021. Benefits include Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance.
While medical insurance pays for doctors and hospitals, Aflac is insurance that pays cash benefit directly to you for things like wellness visits, COVD testing, injuries and sickness with rates as low as $2.00 per week. Aflac rates do not increase when you file claims or as you age. Review the plans and elect coverage at https://highlineschooldistrict.selfenroll.com beginning on October 31, 2022. Your Employee ID for login is your last name and date of birth. Example: smithmmddyyyy.
Credit Union Options
Active school employees, working in Washington State or retired school employees who live in Washington State, are eligible to become members of the below named Credit Union. Advantages of joining a Credit Union include paying lower interest rates on loans (Consumer, Real Estate, etc.), Classic Money Market Accounts, Savings Plans, Check Overdraft Protection along with specific accounts just for children. For more information on this Credit Union option, please contact the Payroll Department or Inspirus Credit Union at 206-628-4010 or 1-888-628-4010.
www.inspirusCU.org
A Flexible Spending Account
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) enables you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for health and day care costs. An FSA is the only benefit that actually saves you money on the cost of health and day care expenses. Our FSA is administered by Navia Benefit Solutions.
You must complete a new election form for each plan year (January 1 - December 31) to take advantage of the tax savings offered by this plan. Open Enrollment for the 2023 plan year is from October 31 to November 21, 2022. New employees have 31 days from hire to enroll. Employees transferring from another school district must complete a Navia Transfer Form to continue participation.
How does the Flexible Spending Account work?
You may elect to set aside up to $2,700 of your pre-tax earnings into your Flexible Spending Account. This pre-tax money can be used to pay for qualified health care expenses not paid for by your medical, dental, or vision plans.
You may also choose to set aside up to $5,000 of your pre-tax earnings into a Dependent Care Account (if you are married and filing separately, your limit is $2,500.) This pre-tax money can be used to pay for qualified day care expenses for your children or disabled spouse. There are some rules to consider before enrolling in a Dependent Care Account.
- The expense must be allowing you and your spouse to work, actively look for work or be a full-time student
- Your dependent must live with you and must be 12 years old or younger. A dependent age 13 or older can be eligible if you can provide proof that the dependent cannot physically or mentally care for themselves
- The day care provider cannot be a dependent on your tax return or your child under the age of 19
- A Dependent Care Account works like a bank account. The reimbursement cannot exceed the account balance
- Some types of expenses are not eligible. Some of these include tuition for school at the kindergarten level or above, overnight camps, nursing home expenses, meals, activity or supply fees, and transportation costs
Once you've elected the amounts you want to set aside into your FSA or Dependent Care Account, you cannot change the amount until the next enrollment period.
Understanding the tax savings behind an FSA can be confusing. With an FSA, you can set aside money from your paycheck BEFORE taxes are deducted. The below examples illustrate how an FSA can save you money.
|
Employee A |
Employee B |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gross Pay |
$35,000 |
Gross Pay |
$35,000 |
|
|
Taxes |
- $7,092.50 |
Medical Costs |
- $2,400 |
|
|
Take Home Pay |
$27,908.50 |
Take Home Pay |
$32,600 |
|
|
Medical Costs |
- $2,400 |
Taxes |
- $6,548.90 |
|
|
Net Pay |
$25,507.50 |
Net Pay |
$26,051.10 |
If you have questions regarding your Flexible Spending Account you may contact Navia Benefit Solutions at 800-669-3539 or visit their website at sebb.naviabenefits.com.
Participants can register for a Navia account at sebb.naviabenefits.com to view claim status, account activity and balances for both the current plan year and the prior plan year. Online Statements are an easy way to keep track of exactly how your account is doing.