For employees and student academic appointees at Indiana University, access to comprehensive care solutions is readily available through the Care.com Benefits Program. This initiative provides a range of services designed to support your work-life balance by assisting with various care needs, from childcare and senior care to pet care and household help. This article will explore the benefits offered under the Care.com program, helping you understand how to leverage these resources effectively.
Who is Eligible for Care.com Benefits?
The Care.com benefits program is available to a wide range of individuals within the Indiana University community. Eligibility extends to:
- Full-time Appointed Academic and Staff Employees: This includes employees working at 75% FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) or greater, encompassing IU residents.
- Student Academic Appointees (SAAs): SAAs who are enrolled in the IU-sponsored SAA medical plan are also eligible to access these valuable care benefits.
Premium Membership: Your Gateway to Care
At the heart of the Care.com benefits program is the Premium Membership. Indiana University sponsors access to this membership, granting you unlimited virtual resources to find, schedule, and manage care for children, adults, pets, and even your home. While IU covers the membership fee, it’s important to note that you are responsible for covering the costs of the caregivers you hire through the platform.
How Premium Membership Empowers You:
- Extensive Caregiver Network: Access a vast network of caregivers, including nannies, babysitters, senior care providers, pet sitters, and housekeepers.
- Advanced Search Filters: Refine your search using detailed filters to find caregivers who meet your specific needs and preferences, including location, experience, availability, and rates.
- Scheduling and Payment Tools: Streamline the process of booking and paying caregivers directly through the Care.com platform, simplifying administrative tasks.
- Background Checks and Safety Resources: Benefit from access to preliminary background checks on caregivers and utilize Care.com’s Safety Center for valuable safety tips and resources.
The Care.com App: Care at Your Fingertips
For convenient access to your care benefits on the go, Care.com offers a dedicated mobile app. The Care.com app allows you to manage all aspects of your care arrangements directly from your smartphone or tablet.
Key Features of the Care.com App:
- Book and Pay Caregivers: Secure and manage care arrangements, including booking and payments, directly through the app interface.
- Schedule Backup Care: Arrange for last-minute backup care when your regular care plans fall through.
- Find Long-Term Caregivers: Initiate and continue your search for long-term care providers in your local area, all within the app environment.
- Stay Connected: Receive notifications and updates regarding your care arrangements and caregiver communications.
You can download the Care.com app for both Apple and Android devices, ensuring you are always connected to your care solutions.
Senior Care Solutions: Dedicated Support for Eldercare
Recognizing the complexities of eldercare, Care.com provides Senior Care Solutions as part of your benefits program. This specialized service offers personalized support and expert guidance when you are managing care for an aging loved one.
What Senior Care Solutions Offer:
- Personalized Senior Care Advisor: You will be connected with an experienced Senior Care Advisor who can provide tailored guidance and support based on your specific needs and circumstances.
- Family Care Hub: Gain access to the Family Care Hub, a secure online platform designed to facilitate coordinated caregiving. This platform allows you to collaborate with family members, friends, and your Senior Care Advisor, ensuring everyone stays informed and connected.
- Expert Resources and Tools: Benefit from a wealth of resources and tools specifically designed to assist with senior care planning and management, simplifying the process of providing care for your loved ones.
Backup Care Services: Reliable Support During Care Disruptions
Life can be unpredictable, and when your regular care arrangements for children or adults are disrupted, Backup Care Services offer a safety net. This benefit provides access to last-minute care at a reduced cost, ensuring you can manage unforeseen care needs without significant disruption to your work or personal life. Eligible members can utilize up to 15 days of backup care per year.
Backup Care Options:
- In-center Backup Childcare: Access to a network of vetted childcare centers for short-term care needs.
- In-home Backup Adult or Childcare: Professional caregivers available to provide care in your home for both children and adults.
- Personal Network Care: For childcare, you have the flexibility to use your own trusted provider outside the Care.com network and receive reimbursement for a portion of the cost.
Understanding Copays and Maximums for Backup Care:
| Backup Care Service | Copay |
|---|---|
| In-center Backup Childcare | $15/day for each child |
| In-home Backup Adult or Childcare | $6/hour, with a 4-hour minimum and 10-hour maximum per day. Requests exceeding 10 hours are counted as two days of care. |
| Personal Network Backup Childcare (In-home and In-center) | You pay your chosen provider directly and then submit a reimbursement claim to Care.com. The standard copay ($6/hour for in-home or $15/day per child for in-center) will be deducted from your reimbursement, and you will be reimbursed up to $125 per day. Claims must be submitted within 30 days of the care date. |
Care Discount Program by LifeMart: Savings Beyond Caregiving
Beyond direct care services, the Care Discount Program by LifeMart extends your benefits to a wide array of discounts on everyday products and services. This program provides access to hundreds of online discounts, regularly updated to offer valuable savings.
Discount Categories Include:
- Child and Senior Care Discounts: Further savings on care-related services.
- Pet Care, Insurance, and Supplies: Discounts for your furry companions’ needs.
- Groceries and Restaurants: Savings on daily essentials and dining out.
- Home Goods and Services: Discounts for home improvement, maintenance, and furnishings.
- Travel, Hotels, and Rental Cars: Savings on vacations and travel expenses.
- And Much More: A continuously expanding list of discounts across various categories.
Prioritizing Safety with Care.com
Safety is paramount when it comes to caregiving. Care.com prioritizes safety through various measures, including background checks conducted by subcontracted companies to verify information in caregiver profiles. Preliminary background checks are available at no cost to employees. Furthermore, the platform provides access to reviews and ratings for caregivers, and you are encouraged to contribute your own feedback.
Care.com’s comprehensive Safety Center offers extensive information, tips, and tools to help you evaluate risk and make informed decisions when selecting a caregiver. This commitment to safety ensures peace of mind when utilizing the Care.com benefits program.
Tax Considerations for Care Benefits
It’s important to be aware of potential tax implications associated with the Care.com benefits program. The IRS may consider backup care services a taxable benefit.
Tax Reporting Details:
- Adult Care: Considered taxable income and will be added to your paycheck at the end of the calendar year.
- Backup Care and Childcare: May be considered a taxable benefit when used with a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). The benefit amount paid by Indiana University will be reported on your Form W-2 in Box 10 as Dependent Care Benefits. Amounts exceeding $2,500 (for married filing separately) or $5,000 (for married filing jointly or head of household) when combined with Dependent Care FSA contributions will be reported as taxable income.
It is your responsibility to address any federal, state, or local tax liabilities related to the program. Consult a tax professional or the IRS (www.irs.gov) for personalized guidance.
Contact Information and Support
For further information or assistance regarding your Care.com benefits program, please reach out to the following resources:
Care.com:
- Website: care.com/yourbenefits
- Phone: 866-814-1638
IU Human Resources:
- Phone: 812-856-1234
By understanding and utilizing the Care.com benefits program, you can access valuable resources and support to manage your diverse care needs, enhancing your work-life balance and overall well-being as part of the Indiana University community.
