guidelines:

• The wellness reimbursement is accessed through the same online enrollment & authorization form as the dental & vision plans, except that you must include a copy of a valid receipt demonstrating your payment of membership fees/fees/tuition to an institution or organization. 
• Eligible wellness activities: physical activity programming that promotes exercise, fitness and stress reduction through exercise and fitness. Examples of eligible programs include: a gym membership, a yoga class, a dance class, a martial arts class, an aerobics class. Both on campus and off campus programs are eligible. Yearly membership fees, monthly service fees and equipment fees associated with a gym or classes are eligible; late fees are not.
• When to turn in your receipt: Reimbursements are made for purchases made during our plan year, 11/1/09 through 10/31/2010. If you pay on a monthly basis, only receipts dated after 11/1/09 are eligible. If you purchase semester or yearly plans, the period of the receipt must include at least part of the plan year to be eligible (i.e. UMass gym memberships for fall semester are eligible).
• There is no reimbursement for receipts for family member's wellness/fitness costs.
• Multiple receipts may be bundled together and submitted together; however, receipts will not be accepted more than twice per year per individual. 
• Reimbursements are made to individuals, not directly to vendors.
  
• Reimbursements will generally be made no later than the last day of the semester in which the form & receipt were submitted, provided they are submitted to us at least 30 days prior to the last day of the semester. 
• This benefit follows the same plan year of Nov 1-Oct 31 each year. If you are eligible for at least one 6-month period of dental & vision, you are eligible for a maximum of $80 per year in reimbursements.

Employee Assistance Program

Eligible grad employees can access a free & confidential program providing short-term, problem-solving focused counseling and referral services on campus. 

guidelines:

• All eligible grad employees are automatically enrolled in this program and can access this benefit directly at University Health Service (UHS) through their Faculty & Staff Assistance Program
  
• The services are located on the ground floor of UHS, 150 Infirmary Way. Hours are by appointment, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. For information or an appointment, call 545-0350.
• This benefit is for employees and their immediate family members. 
  
• This benefit follows the same plan year of Nov 1-Oct 31 each year and eligibility guides are the same as dental & vision. 

The Trust has increased its funding to families with childcare costs by porviding $45,000 in funding to GSS, which in turn will provide vouchers specifically earmarked for eligible employees' families. The deadline for the Fall 2009 GSS voucher application is September 21, 2009. The Trust continues to pay the tuition for eligible families' Flex-care slots at University Child Care to ensure that childcare for members remains affordable.