Not using pre-tax commuter benefits due to COVID-19? You’ve got time
October 19, 2020 •
Many UCOP employees participate in iCommute, a pretax commuter benefits program that helps off-set the costs of commuting, administered through Edenred Commuter Benefits.
During the pandemic, many of us are working from home and don’t need to purchase public transportation and parking. The good news? You won’t lose the money in your Commuter Benefits account. Link reached out to our colleagues who specialize in commuter services for the details you need to know.
Will unspent money in my Commuter Benefits account expire while I’m not using it during the pandemic?
If you use a Commuter Check Prepaid Mastercard to pay for your commuter expenses, you have 18 months to make a purchase before your card will close. If it does close, either at your request or automatically after 18 months of inactivity, the unused balance will remain in your Commuter Benefits account as a credit to be used towards future orders.
If you have an account with other transit agencies, such as Clipper or BART, please reach out to them directly for their latest return policies. Edenred will apply returns from unused transit passes back to your Commuter Benefits account as a credit to be used towards future orders. For more information, visit Edenred’s COVID-19 updates and policies.
Are there any fees associated with an inactive Commuter Check Prepaid Mastercard account?
Yes. After six months of inactivity, a $3 fee will be assessed every month until the card is used to make a purchase.
How can I find out how much credit I have left in my Commuter Benefits account?
Log in to your Commuter Benefits account; your credit is shown under Adjustments/Credits.
Can I request a refund of my unused Commuter Check Prepaid Mastercard account balance?
Yes. Contact commuterserviceshelp@ucop.edu. Please be patient as each request must be handled on a case-by-case basis. You should receive the refund in your paycheck in about two months. Be advised that the refunded amount will be less than the posted credit due to tax withholding.
Will I lose the money in my Commuter Check Prepaid Mastercard account if I retire or leave UCOP?
No. If you separate from UCOP, the balance will be refunded via payroll. Please make sure your information is current in UCPath. The timing of this refund will depend on when you close your Mastercard account. To expedite the process, contact customer service using the number on the back of your card. Otherwise, your account will automatically close at the end of the last confirmed benefit month prior to your separation date. (For example, if your last day is Sept. 30, 2020, October 2020 is the last confirmed benefit month, as the cut-off date is Sept. 1 for the October benefit month. In this example, you can use your card through October 31.) Once your Mastercard account closes, Edenred will return the balance to UCOP, which will issue your refund via payroll. You can expect to receive the refund in about two months after your account is closed.
Visit the iCommute website for more information about how the program works and how to enroll. And, check out the frequently asked questions document (PDF) for more details. If you have additional questions, contact commuterserviceshelp@ucop.edu.
Please note that all parking and transit benefits are, and have always been, a self-managed process. Even as many of us are working off-site, it is up to you to track your benefits and make updates, as needed, to meet your personal needs.
Tags: commuter benefits, COVID-19
