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Benefits Unit
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
What is an FSA?
A Flexible Spending Account is a program that the Federal Government allows the County of Sonoma to sponsor. It enables you (the employee) to save Federal, State and Social Security (FICA) taxes on the money you use to pay for eligible expenses. The tax savings will increase your take-home pay.
A Valuable Benefit - If you choose to participate in this valuable benefit, you and your eligible dependents can pay for medical, dental and vision expenses, as well as dependent care expenses, on a tax-free basis.
When You Enroll - When you enroll you determine the amount of expenses you anticipate for the upcoming year. The annual benefits you elect are paid for with pre-tax dollars deducted from your paycheck over 26 pay periods. These dollars are subtracted from your gross earnings before taxes are taken out.
How It Works - Under this plan you can use pre-tax money to pay for different kinds of expenses, including: your medical,dental and vision care expenses that are not covered by your insurance and the cost of caring for a dependent while you work. 
Your Spendable Income Increases - When you elect pre-tax benefits under a flexible benefits plan, you lower your taxable income on your W-2; therefore, you pay less in taxes and increase your spendable income. Depending on your tax bracket, this plan can save you 30% to 40% on qualifying expenses.
Available Accounts
There are different kinds of Flexible Spending Accounts available where you can use pre-tax dollars for specific expenses.
Health Account FSA
Covers medical, dental and vision expenses that are only partially covered or not covered at all by your insurance, including insurance deductibles, insurance co-payments and over-the-counter medications. Read more
Dependent Care Account FSA
Covers amounts you pay to daycare centers, after school programs, babysitters, caregivers or elder care so that you and your spouse can work. Read more
Customer Service and Plan Administrator
The P&A Group is the third party administrator for the Flexible Spending Account.
Contact P&A for questions regarding eligible expenses, claim submission, documentation requirements for expenses, or the status of claims & reimbursements.
- Contact a Customer Service Representative or chat live online during P&A Group’s Customer Service hours: Monday through Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (PST)
- 24/7 online account access www.padmin.com
- Automated account information available toll-free: (800) 688-2611
- Toll-free Fax Number: (877) 855-7105
Contact the Human Resources Benefits Unit for questions regarding electronic enrollment through Employee Self-Service, enrollment eligibility, change in election due to a qualifying event, or to update/change your mailing address.
- (707) 565-2900 or
- E-Mail: benefits@sonoma-county.org
Whose Expenses are Eligible?
Under the plan, only the expenses of a participant, a participant’s spouse or a participant’s dependent(s) qualify for pre-tax treatment. If you are unsure if a person qualifies as an eligible dependent, please refer to the P&A website for a more detailed definition.
On June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is legal throughout the United States. Going forward, qualifying expenses incurred by a same-sex spouse will be eligible for reimbursement under your Flexible Spending Account.
Online Resources
How to Access Your Flexible Spending Account
P & A Group Mobile Features and QuickClaim Process
TEXTING
Access your account information right from your mobile phone, anytime, anywhere! To setup this text messaging feature please log into your P&A 
online account. Under “Profile” enter your cell phone number and mobile carrier. You will then be setup to use the text messaging feature. Text the following codes to the number 70626 to receive updated, on-the-go account information.
| Feature |
Text Code |
Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Account Balance | BAL | Text BAL to receive a text message with your account balance |
| Claim Status | CLM | Check the status of your most recent claim |
| History of your Last Five Reimbursements | HIS | Instantly get an update on your last five reimbursements |
| Deposit Update | DEP | View your last five deposits into your account(s) |
HOW TO USE QUIKCLAIM
Submit P&A claims and receipts directly from your smartphone - a totally paperless process!
- Go to www.padmin.com and log into My Benefits
- Select Upload
- Choose your account and enter claim amount
- Upload your receipt/documentation by selecting Add File, which will allow you to use your camera to take a picture of your receipt or select a picture from your gallery
- Select Continue
- Review the claim, agree to the authorization statement and click Submit
- You have successfully submitted a claim!