Working @ SAMHSA - More Benefits

Excellent Benefits

Benefits

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)
The Government's health benefit program has about 180 health plan options throughout the United States , including consumer-driven health care and preferred provider network options. At least a dozen plan choices are available to each employee, which allows for a broad choice so that employees can select the plan that best meets their own individual health care needs. While specific benefits vary among FEHB plans, none can impose a waiting period or require a medical exam to enroll in their plan. For more information, visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp. Government employees are automatically eligible for Medicare Part A at no cost beginning at age 65. For more information, visit http://www.medicare.gov.

Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
FEGLI is a group term life insurance program. It consists of Basic life insurance coverage and three options. In most cases, if you are a new Federal employee, you are automatically covered by Basic life insurance and your payroll office deducts premiums from your salary unless you waive the coverage. In addition to the Basic, there are three forms of Optional insurance that you can elect. (Standard, Additional, and Family). The program offers the opportunity to retain your coverage for your entire life. For more information, visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.htm.

Long-Term Care Insurance
As a new employee, you have the opportunity to apply for long term care insurance under the Federal Program with minimal underwriting. However, a limited number of medical conditions will prevent a new employee from being approved for coverage. Long term care helps people to perform daily activities if they have an ongoing illness or disability. This Program offers a choice of benefits that can provide a variety of services, including but not limited to: nursing home care, assisted living facility care, adult day care and at home care. Please see the link for specific information. For more information, visit http://www.ltcfeds.com.

Annual Leave and Sick Leave
Federal employees are entitled to at least 13 days of vacation leave as well as 13 days of sick leave each year. Depending on years of service, employees can earn up to 26 days of vacation leave each year. In addition, Federal employees get 10 days paid holiday each year. This allows employees time to spend with their families and to pursue their own individual interests and avocations. For more information, visit http://www.opm.gov/oca/index.htm.

Federal Retirement Plan
New employees who had previous Government service may be eligible to participate in the Civil Service Retirement System. Check the website for eligibility. For more information, visit http://www.opm.gov/retire/index.htm. You will earn Social Security credit while working with the Government. Social Security provides for your future retirement benefits, provides disability protection, and allows for survivor benefits protection. For more information, visit http://www.ssa.gov.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
With the Thrift Savings Plan, you can self-direct your retirement savings program through multiple investment options. This Plan is very similar to a 401(k) plan. For more information, visit http://www.tsp.gov/.

Paid Holidays
Federal employees get 10 days paid holiday each year. This allows employees time to spend with their families and to pursue their own individual interests and avocations.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
FSAs allow employees to increase their disposable income because the amounts they contribute are not subject to Federal income, FICA, State or local income taxes. The Federal Government offers both a Health Care FSA and a Dependent Care FSA. Employees can use the Health Care FSA for expenses that are tax-deductible, but not reimbursed by any other source, including out-of-pocket expenses and non-covered benefits under their FEHB plans. Some examples are non-covered dental services, lasik surgery, health plan deductibles, and co-payments and coinsurance. FSAs for dependent care are available for employees with dependent children or qualifying dependent adults when the care is necessary to allow the employee to work. For more information, visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/pretax/fsa/index.asp

Voluntary Leave Transfer Program
An employee without available paid leave (i.e., annual or sick leave) may request to become a donated leave recipient for a specific medical emergency, involving himself or herself or a family member, which is expected to result in an absence from duty for at least twenty-four (24) consecutive or intermittent hours during the leave year, if the medical emergency would otherwise result in a loss of pay. Employee must use up all of his or her accrued leave before using donated leave.

Child Care Tuition
SAMHSA offers a childcare subsidy program that is available to lower income employees. Under this program, employees may be eligible for a subsidy to help them defray the childcare costs for their dependent children below the age of 13.

File Date: 1/12/2006