Balancing work and caregiving responsibilities can be challenging, especially when unexpected disruptions occur. The University of Arizona provides eligible employees with a valuable solution through our partnership with Bright Horizons. The University of Arizona provides eligible employees up to 80 hours of back-up care per fiscal year for dependents or qualifying relatives. This service is available nationwide.
Benefits Overview
- Available for all dependents and qualifying relatives*
- Affordable co-pays starting at just $3/hour for in-center care ($6/hour for in-home care)
- Vetted, professional caregivers through Bright Horizons
- Nationwide availability for all benefits-eligible employees
When Back-Up Care Helps
- When you know a caregiver is taking planned time off (schedule up to 30-days in advance)
- Post-surgery support for a partner
- Unexpected school closures
- When regular elder care providers cancel
- Critical work deadlines when regular care arrangements fall through
Why Choose Back-Up Care?
- Preserve Your Paid Time Off: Keep your sick and vacation days for when you truly need them.
- Professional Support: Connect with qualified caregivers who meet your specific needs.
- Peace of Mind: Focus on work knowing your loved ones are receiving quality care.
- Specialized Assistance: Access caregivers equipped to handle medical needs or special requirements.
You must re-enroll with the University of Arizona annually in July to continue receiving care. Once you've re-enrolled, if you have already registered with Bright Horizons and created a profile, you don't need to take any action. However, if you haven't registered with Bright Horizons and created a profile, we encourage you to do so before you need care.
Steps to Enroll
STEP 1: Enroll with the University of Arizona
Employees must (re)enroll each year with the University of Arizona before requesting care with Bright Horizons.
STEP 2: Register with Bright Horizons
Register with Bright Horizons ONLY if you haven't previously created an account. Please allow Bright Horizons time (two to three days) to process your eligibility.
Registering means:
- Creating an account with Bright Horizon. It does not automatically register you in the Back-Up Care program. That is STEP 3.
- Indicating your life stage and interests. You may skip this step and come back to it.
Registering with Bright Horizons is free. You will be charged a small co-pay only when you use the program.
STEP 3: Complete your Profile on Bright Horizons
After you create an account with Bright Horizons, you will need to complete your profile. It may feel like you're requesting care initially, but you're not.
Your profile includes:
- Your contact information
- Your dependents and information about them a caregiver would need to know.
This process can take as little as 5 minutes or up to 15 minutes, based on your unique family situation. Please allow extra time to complete and upload documentation.
Once you complete your profile, you are fully registered for the Back-Up Care Program and can request care when needed.
Important Program Information
Tax Implications: Per the IRS*, when Dependent Care Benefits exceed $5,000 a year, the excess becomes taxable income.
The calculated amount combines:
−The Flexible Spending Account deduction for dependent care
−The U of A Childcare Choice Employee Reimbursement Program for Qualified Childcare Expenses (U of A Childcare Choice – Employee), and/or
−The Back-Up Care Program.
Program Guidelines
Learn what circumstances qualify for back-up care services, what the fee structures are, and how to begin using services.
Directrices del programa
Conozca qué circunstancias califican para los servicios de cuidado y de respaldo, cuáles son las estructuras de tarifas y cómo comenzar a usar los servicios.
Service Exception Dates
Services are not available during academic closures or university holidays. If you have commitments during these times, please call 520-621-1530 at least five days in advance.
About Bright Horizons
Meet the Provider: Bright Horizons
Your university has partnered with Bright Horizons® to help you better manage your work, family, and personal responsibilities.
Bright Horizons Back-Up Care™ provides access to back-up care for your children, adult, and elder family members during a lapse or breakdown in normal care arrangements.
Download the App
Search "back-up care" in the App Store or Google Play. If registering for the first time using the back-up care mobile app, enter:
Username: Arizona | Password: Benefits4You
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is not a complete list of FAQs. To see the complete list of questions and answers download and view all FAQs. FAQs English | FAQs Spanish
Yes. All eligible employees and students must apply each fiscal year to receive subsidized backup care services.
No. Eligible University of Arizona employees do not have to pay a membership fee to receive subsidized backup care. However, program participants may be responsible for paying the nonsubsidized hourly rate in some circumstances. Refer to the Program Guidelines above for details.
Yes. Registration in the program is a two-step process: university registration and vendor registration.
Bright Horizons takes several business days to process eligibility. Please allow this time before trying to create your account. If you need care before you can register with Bright Horizons, please call them at 1-877-BH-CARES (242-2737). They will expedite your request so that you can schedule care.
Yes. In the case of two eligible parents – a pair of employees, a pair of students, or an employee-student pair – each may register for the service using their NetID and password.
Dependent Care and Tax Liability Issues - Employees
The Internal Revenue Service has determined that employees may allocate up to $5,000 per year in a dependent care assistance account established by their employer. This $5,000 allocation includes the combined monies applied to the following UA-sponsored pre-tax programs:
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)* for dependent (child and/or elder) care only (excludes medical expenses)
- UA Childcare Choice Employee Reimbursement Program for Qualified Childcare Expenses
- Employee Sick and Back-Up Childcare (includes the entire value of the program -employee and employer costs)
*You may designate an amount of pre-tax salary to be placed in a dependent care-related and/or medical expenses-related FSA. These tax-free dollars may then be used to reimburse you for qualified out-of-pocket medical care and/or dependent care (childcare/elder care) expenses. You reduce your taxable income, as no Social Security, federal, or state income taxes are taken from the designated dollars and this amount is excluded from your taxable income.
Please note that dependent care expenditures that exceed the $5,000 limit may be subject to income tax. The annual FSA figures (total costs) will appear on your Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement. This information is not intended to serve as tax advice. Please consult your professional tax advisor to identify the full tax implications of program use and to determine the optimal use of dependent care offerings. For information about the status of your FSA or qualified deductions, contact ASI at http://www.asiflex.com or at (800) 659-3035.
Dependent Care and Tax Liability Issues - Students
Childcare can be a major expense for many students. Please contact a professional tax advisor to determine if you are eligible for a tax credit. Additionally, subsidized monies applied toward childcare can be considered “scholarship” income and may be subject to taxation. This information is not intended to serve as tax advice. Please consult your professional tax advisor to identify the full tax implications of program use and to determine the optimal use of dependent care offerings.
Contact Us
Have questions about this program?
Connect with the Life & Work Connections Team
Phone: 520-621-2493
Email: lifework@arizona.edu
Have questions about your benefits?
Connect with the HR Solutions team
hr.arizona.edu/contact-us