Using your Commuter Transit benefit
Using the Commuter Benefits Program is easy, quick, and hassle-free. And, unlike other pre-tax savings programs, it works from month-to month with no annual election required—you can sign up, make changes, or cancel at any time, subject to monthly election and cut-off deadlines applicable to your transit agency or required by your employer. HealthEquity (formerly WageWorks) makes ordering your monthly transit or parking benefit a snap.
For mass transit there are several ways to use your commuter benefits either using pre-tax dollars to purchase a monthly pass or you can load up a commuter credit card each month.
For parking you have two options “Pay My Parking” or “Pay Me Back“.
- With “Pay My Parking” you tell HealthEquity how much you pay your parking garage or lot each month and they will send a check directly to them each month on your behalf. All you need to do is place a recurring order (that you can change or cancel in the future).
- With “Pay Me Back” you have 6 months following the end of the benefit month to file claims to get reimbursed from your Pay Me Back account. Be sure to check the deadline for each benefit month on the Account Activity page for this account. If you have a balance remaining after the deadline, you will receive a credit in that amount which will be applied to reduce your next Commuter deduction automatically.
To submit a claim for “Pay Me Back” Select the Pay Me Back activity link from the Commuter Program details page. You will find information on your claimable balances and how to file a paper claim or online claim. Both are easy to complete and submit. Alternatively you can use the EZ Receipt App for iOS and Android smart devices. You can submit claims on or after the first day of the benefit month you will use the service. For example, April 1st for an April Benefit month.
If you over-estimated your expenses for a benefit month, you can claim up to the amount you did spend (if anything) and request that you use the balance to pay for your next order. Your pretax payroll deduction for your next order will be reduced by the balance of your unused balance. If you under-estimated your expenses for a benefit month, you can only claim up to the amount available in your account.
For more insight on how to get started with Health Equity (formerly WageWorks) site, click here.