Support still available for expenses you've incurred for your dependents' pandemic-related learning

The JHU COVID-19 Caregiving Relief Fund, or CCRF, offers financial assistance to eligible employees and students incurring new caregiving, remote learning, and technology expenses for dependents as a direct result of COVID-19.

Full-time, benefits-eligible JHU employees, doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, medical students, house staff, residents, interns, and trainees with a base salary of up to $175,000 are eligible. New hires are eligible the first of the month following their hire date.

There are two types of awards available: a monthly, recurring benefit for caregiving expenses and remote learning support (based on an individual's salary level) and a nonrecurring fund for technology expenses related to remote learning for dependent children ($1,000 maximum).

The maximum monthly award for caregiving expenses and remote learning support is as follows:

• A person with a salary of up to $50,000 can receive up to $800/month.
• A person with a salary of $50,001 to $100,000 can receive up to $600/month.
• A person with a salary of $100,001 to $175,000 can receive up to $400/month.

Eligible expenses for caregiving (child care and elder care) and educational and remote learning support (tutoring, e-learning coaches, learning pods, drop-off learning centers, speech therapy, occupational therapy, incremental increases to Wi-Fi service) must be incurred on or after Sept. 1, 2020. In a two-parent household, both parents must be working or studying in order to be eligible for caregiving reimbursement.

Technology equipment expenses (tablet, computer, laptop, printer, webcam, speaker, microphone, headphones, blue light glasses, screen protector, and Wi-Fi extenders) directly related to remote learning for dependent children must be incurred on or after July 1, 2020.

To apply for the CCRF, go to the Benefits & Worklife website, select myChoices Health & Life Enrollment, initiate a life event, and click on COVID-19 Caregiving Relief Fund. You will receive an email once your application has been approved. You will then be able to file a claim for reimbursement through WEX/Discovery Benefits, the university's third-party vendor. Be sure to include all required documents.

For more information, a list of eligible expenses, and instructions on how to apply for CCRF and submit a claim for reimbursement, visit the Family & Caregiving Programs page of the Benefits & Worklife website.

For questions about this program, contact the Office of Benefits & Worklife at 410-516-2000 or worklife@jhu.edu.

Reimbursements under CCRF are provided tax-free under Section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This is a temporary and limited benefit, tied to the national state of emergency due to COVID-19.