Life can be unpredictable. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recognizes that unexpected situations can arise, requiring you to find immediate care for your loved ones – be it children, adults, elders, pets, or even yourself – so you can continue working. The Back Up Care Program is designed to provide reliable support during these times, ensuring you have access to quality care at an affordable cost.
The Backup Care Program offers temporary solutions for CBP employees when regular care arrangements are disrupted, whether planned or unplanned. This program is also available for employees needing self-care during recovery from illness, surgery, or other medical conditions.
When to Utilize the Back Up Care Program
The back up care program is a valuable resource in various situations where your work schedule clashes with unexpected or temporary care needs. Consider using it when:
- School or Daycare Closures: Your child’s school or daycare is closed due to holidays, inclement weather, summer break, or unforeseen circumstances.
- Breakdown in Regular Care Arrangements: Your usual adult, childcare, or eldercare arrangements unexpectedly fall through.
- Mild Illness or Injury: A child, spouse, parent, or pet is mildly ill or injured and requires home care while you are working.
- Work-Related Schedule Changes: You have official work travel, a change in your work schedule, or overtime duties that make your regular care provider unavailable.
- Personal Recovery: You, as a CBP employee, need support while recovering from a personal illness or injury to facilitate your return to work.
Who is Eligible for the Back Up Care Program?
The back up care program is available to a wide range of CBP employees, ensuring comprehensive support across the workforce. Eligibility includes:
- All CBP Employees: All part-time and full-time U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees are eligible to use the program, without any income restrictions.
- Visit Limits: Employees can utilize up to 10 back up care visits per fiscal year, providing ample support throughout the year.
- Care Categories: The program covers a range of care needs:
- Childcare: Care for a minor child, including biological, adopted, foster, stepchildren, or a grandchild living with the employee.
- Adult or Elder Care: Care for any family member (by blood or marriage) for whom the employee has caregiving responsibilities, such as a significant other, adult child, parent, or parent-in-law recovering from illness, surgery, or managing a chronic condition.
- Pet Care: Care for a pet, including dogs, cats, birds, and other domestic animals, for whom the employee is responsible.
- Self-Care: Care for the CBP employee themselves while recovering at home from an illness, surgery, or medical condition.
How Does the Back Up Care Program Work?
Utilizing the back up care program is designed to be straightforward and accessible, ensuring employees can quickly arrange the support they need. Key aspects of using the program include:
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Work Status Requirement: To use back up care, employees generally need to be in “work status” on the day care is required. Backup Care is intended to be used instead of taking leave. Note: This requirement is waived for self-care visits due to employee illness or injury.
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Preauthorization: All back up care visits must be preauthorized by LifeCare, the program administrator.
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Care Options: Employees can choose between in-home or in-center based care, providing flexibility to suit different needs and preferences.
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Scheduling and Arrangements: Back up care visits can be arranged and scheduled with LifeCare up to 30 days in advance or even on the same day. LifeCare offers three primary care options:
- In-Network Licensed Care: LifeCare arranges care through their network of licensed health care agencies, providers, and care centers. LifeCare covers the full cost of care, and employees pay a nominal $20 copay per visit at the time of request.
- Out-of-Network Licensed Care: Employees have the flexibility to arrange care directly with a licensed program, childcare center, or day camp. After care is provided, employees submit for reimbursement from LifeCare for the full cost of care.
- Unlicensed Personal Network Care: Employees can arrange care through their personal network with an unlicensed provider (babysitter, neighbor, extended family, dog walker, etc.). Reimbursement up to a maximum of $75 is available upon submission to LifeCare. Important: An employee’s partner/spouse or a child’s parent/guardian cannot be compensated as an Unlicensed Personal Network BUC Provider.
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Reimbursement Process: For Out-of-Network Licensed and Unlicensed Personal Network Care, reimbursement requests must be submitted within 30 days of the care date. Payments to care providers must be made via check or electronic means, and proof of payment is required for reimbursement.
For detailed information or to schedule back up care, please visit CBPBackupCare.com or call 1-844-222-5871. Backup Care Specialists are available 24/7 to assist you.
This back up care program is a testament to CBP’s commitment to supporting its employees in managing work-life balance, ensuring that you can confidently handle your professional responsibilities while knowing your loved ones are cared for.
