July 8, 2025: The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) held a Special Open Enrollment (OE) period for the FlexElect Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) Program from May 1-30, 2025.
The DRCA allows eligible state employees to set aside money to pay for qualifying dependent care expenses, such as childcare, elder care and care for a disabled dependent. DCRA contributions are not taxable, which can lower taxable income.
During this Special OE FlexElect DCRA, eligible state employees were able to newly enroll and/or increase their DCRA contribution amounts. In the event an employee’s dependent care needs have altered and should an employee need to change or cancel their Special OE FlexElect DCRA selection, please refer to the CalHR Benefits Administration Manual – FlexElect Program for a list of permitting events.
Key Dates:
- Enrollment period held: May 1 – 30, 2025
- State Controller’s Office (SCO) processed Special OE forms: May 1 – June 10, 2025
- Deductions began: June 2025 pay period (appears on the July 1, 2025, pay warrant)
- Contribution period: June – November 2025 pay periods (six months)
- Earliest permitting event date and effective date: July 1, 2025
- Employees must complete STD.701R updating the monthly contribution amount and mark the following permitting event codes:
- 38 – Change in dependent care provider
- 39 – Change in provider dependent care cost
- ConnectHR upload deadline for DCRA OE cancellation/changes: August 31, 2025
For all other FlexElect DCRA changes and enrollment outside of this Special OE, eligible employees will have the opportunity to enroll or make changes during the normal Open Enrollment season September 15 – October 10 with an effective date of January 1, 2026.
For FlexElect DCRA information, please refer to the 2025 FlexElect Handbook found on the Flex Accounts Bookshelf of CalHR’s Virtual Library.