More financial benefits for County employees
More financial benefits
The County of Santa Clara recognizes the importance of a comprehensive compensation package. and provides a full line-up of benefits that gives employees and their families financial protection and support, including these additional financial benefits:
Basic life insurance (provided by the Standard Insurance Company)
Employees in most bargaining units receive $25,000 of basic life insurance coverage. The County pays 100% of the cost for full-time coded employees. Part-time employees pay a prorated amount of the rate based on the number regular hours worked in each pay period.
Supplemental life insurance (provided by the Standard Insurance Company)
To add to your basic life insurance coverage, you may choose to purchase supplemental life insurance.
The amounts available for purchase are based on your bi-weekly salary, and you pay for the full premium cost for this coverage. Supplemental insurance costs though, are extremely low.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD and D - provided by the Standard Insurance Company)
To protect your family financially in the event of an accidental death or severe injury, you may choose to purchase accidental death and dismemberment insurance coverage for yourself and your spouse and children. You pay for the full premium cost for this coverage, and you may enroll or change your election at any time without restriction.
The Dependent Care Assistance Program
The DCAP program allows you to set up a special account with tax-free dollars for paying dependent care services, which are necessary for you to work. It’s a smart and convenient way to save on these expenses. Through the program, you may reimburse yourself expenses related to:
- The care for your dependent children under age 13.
- The care for another dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves and this includes elder day care.
You may contribute up to $5,000 per year to your account ($2,500 if you are married and filing separately). This limit is set by the IRS. As a new hire, you may elect to participate in this program within 30 days of your date of hire. Using pre-tax dollars saves you money on these expenses.
Employee Childcare Assistance Program
ECAP is a benefit offered to eligible County employees that helps pay for a portion of your childcare expenses - up to $5,000 depending on your annual income tier. The Employee Benefits Department offers this program, administered through our benefits partner, P&A Group. This is not a pre-tax program that you pay for, like the Dependent Care Assistance program above. Rather this is a direct reimbursement program that returns your expenses (up to $5,000 depending on your income tier) back to your pocket and is provided by the County of Santa Clara.
Health flexible spending account
Doing double duty as both a health benefit and a financial benefit, the Health Flexible Spending Account allows you to spend pre-tax dollars on health-related items such as prescriptions, medical office visit co-pays, and more.
You may contribute up to $3,050 per year to your account. This limit is set by the IRS. As a new hire, you may elect to participate in this program within 30 days of your date of hire. Using pre-tax dollars saves you money on these expenses.
Work-related parking and commuter benefits
The County’s Parking and Transit Pre-Tax Plan allows eligible employees to set aside tax-free dollars to pay for expenses related to commuting and parking for work. You may elect up to $187.50 per month for transit expenses and to $280.00 per month for parking expenses. Enrollment is open for a period of time each month, when you can place a one-time order, or set it up as a monthly deduction. Your transportation/parking funds will be loaded onto a Benefits Card that will be sent to you. Your balance will roll over from month-to-month, as long as you are an active employee and remain eligible for this benefit.
VTA Smart Pass
The SmartPass Clipper Card can be used for unlimited rides on regular service for the VTA bus or light rail systems. All eligible County employees are provided with a Clipper Card.
Emergency Ride Home Program
The County offers a free Emergency Ride Home service for employee commuters who meet certain eligibility and situational criteria outlined below. An employee must have taken public transportation (VTA bus or light rail) to work that day.
Situations that qualify include:
- Illness to the Illness to the employee or an immediate family member
- Unscheduled overtime requested by a supervisor or manager
- Other personal emergencies, at the Emergency Ride Home coordinator's discretion
Ready to find your fit with the County of Santa Clara? See all current, open-competitive recruitments.