Transit Benefit ProgramContact: Jacqueline Morgan, Room 4M28, 358-1214
About the Program Federal legislation allows employers to offer their employees public mass transportation benefits of up to $110 maximum per month ($1,320 per year) http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-06-53.pdf NASA Headquarters uses the Metrochek and SmartBenefits program, which was established through Metro. Eligible employees receive a Metrochek fare card which can be exchanged for fare cards or passes for any participating public transportation system. The Smartrip card is assigned to an individual and the fare subsidy benefit it electronically loaded to the card. The subsidy is to be used only by the employee who receives the fare media, and is not transferable. Fare media is a ticket, pass, token, farecard, voucher, or Smartrip card entitling a person to transportation. Eligibility The fare subsidy program is open to NASA Headquarters civil service employees and NASA Center Detailees officially assigned to NASA Headquarters. See the Fare Subsidy Standard Operating Procedure for further details on eligibility. Employees may not be listed as a carpool participant or holder of a motor vehicle parking permit at NASA Headquarters or any other workplace. How to Apply Complete NHQ Form 201 - Application for Transit Benefit and submit it to Jacquie Morgan, Room 4M28. New employee applications for fare subsidy must be received prior to the third Friday of each month in order to be eligible to pick up subsidy for the remaining of the current quarter. Participates submitting an application to change commuting cost or update information can do so at anytime. Participating Public Transportation Systems In order to receive a fare subsidy, eligible employees must be using one of the following means of transportation to and from work for a total of 10 workdays during the month for which the subsidy is given, using the appropriate fare media: 1) Public bus or rail transit systems Metro Rail Metrocheks can be exchanged for Metro bus and rail weekly and monthly passes, or for fares and passes of MARC, VRE, county and commuter buses, or Metro-approved van pools. Smartrip card can be used on Metro rail, Metro bus, and approved vanpools. For vanpool participation, please refer to the following link http://www.wmata.com/bus2bus/smartbenefits/pages/sbvanpools.html Fare Subsidy Rates Rates are determined by individual commuting cost. $110 maximum benefit per month. Fare Distribution Fare subsidies are distributed quarterly on Tuesday and Thursday. Distribution will be held on 2 days during the last week of the current quarter and 2 days during the first week of the new quarter. During the remainder of the new quarter, 2 additional distribution days will be held for those employees who were on leave, travel, or unable for other reasons to attend the initial distribution dates. Employees should e-mail their request prior to the closing period for pick-up for that month. For those employees with special circumstances and with prior approval, we will schedule appointments for picking up subsidy benefits. NOTE: If employees pick up after the initial distribution, the subsidy benefits will be prorated for the quarter. HRMD will no longer be able to accommodate walk-ins.
Exact dates and times are posted on Heads-up as an additional reminder. Failure to pick up fare subsidy for two consecutive quarters will result in termination of eligibility, unless the Headquarters Human Resources Management Division approves an exception. Contact:
Jacqueline Morgan |