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BenefitHelp Solutions
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Commuter Expense Reimbursement Account (CERA)

A Commuter Expense Reimbursement Account, allowed by Section 132 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows you to use before-tax dollars to pay parking and commuter costs. You can deduct up to $220 per month for parking costs or up to a maximum of $115 per month for mass transit or van pooling costs. There is a $115 limit for combining mass transit and van pooling.

How To Enroll

Your employer will need to be contracted with BenefitHelp Solutions for you to use this benefit. Please call Member Services if you do not know if your employer is contracted with BenefitHelp Solutions to offer this benefit.

  1. To enroll in the Commuter Expense Reimbursement Account (CERA), please contact your Human Resources (HR) or Employee Benefits department to obtain an enrollment form.
  2. Determine how much you expect to spend during the plan year on commuter expenses.
  3. Complete, sign and date an enrollment form and return to your HR or Employee Benefits department. Do not send to BenefitHelp Solutions.
  4. Your employer will automatically deduct the amount requested from your paycheck and send it to BenefitHelp Solutions to be deposited into your CERA account.

How to File a Claim

You can print a claim form from this website. All expenses must be itemized on the claim form along with your signature and date. All claims must include supporting documentation. Supporting documentation must include the vendor's name, date(s) of service, and amount of charge. Acceptable forms of documentation include parking receipts and monthly billing statements. Copies of bus passes are not acceptable. Fax your claim and supporting documentation to 503-765-3554 or 1-877-277-7279, or you can mail them to BenefitHelp Solutions, Flexible Spending Account Department, PO Box 67230, Portland, OR 97268.

Your claim will be processed within 3- 5 business days, and a check or direct deposit statement will be mailed to your home. All reimbursements will be issued to the member. We cannot issue checks to parking vendors.

Eligible Expenses

Van Pool – Any highway vehicle that seats at least six adults (not including the driver). In addition, at least 80% of the vehicle mileage will be for transporting employees between home and work, with employees occupying at least one-half of the vehicle’s seats (not including the driver). Maximum amount is $115 per month. If a participant enrolls in both the Mass Transit and Vanpooling accounts, the total combined deduction per month is $115.

Mass transit – The cost of transit passes (includes any pass, token, fare card or voucher) for mass transportation to and from work. Qualified amounts include costs of any pass, token, fare card, voucher, or other item that entitles the employee to use mass transit for the purpose of traveling to or from her/his place of work. Maximum amount is $115 per month. If a participant enrolls in both the Mass Transit and Vanpooling accounts, the total combined deduction per month is $115.

Parking – For parking at or near your primary work location; the location where you take mass transit; or the location where you pick up the van pool. Fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs are not covered. Maximum amount is $220 per month.

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