Participants/Employees
Frequently Asked Questions
for Transit & Parking Account Participants
General Questions
Claim Questions
Expense Questions
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General Questions
1. What is the cutoff time for submitting claims?
You have until 2:00 pm. Pacific Time the day before your company's scheduled reimbursement to submit claims.
2. When do I get paid out?
You can find out when your next payout is scheduled by calling the IVR line at 1-888-295-5656 or by
logging into your account.
3. Why was only part of my claim paid?
The partial payment may be due to one of the following:
(1) You have been reimbursed your full monthly election or your available balance, or (2) A Claim Follow-Up Letter has been mailed to you or e-mailed to you. Information regarding each claim is also available by
logging into your account. If you have further questions, please call us at 1-888-295-5656 or email:
Questions.
4. How can I notify you of a change of address?
You can log onto
Your Account, click on Personal Information and update your address. Otherwise, you can use this
Change of Address form 
, be sure to sign it, and mail or fax to us as instructed on the form. A signed change of address can also be scanned and e-mailed to
Questions. Please include your
Participant Identification Number (PID) 
assigned by CB or Social Security Number and your employer name.
5. What is my account balance?
You can call the IVR at 1-888-295-5656 to hear your latest Transit & Parking
account information. You may also check
Your
Account Information online.
6. How do I set up direct deposit of my reimbursements?
If your employer allows for this reimbursement option, you can log onto
Your Account and sign-up for direct deposit under Personal Information or complete the
Authorization for Direct Deposit 
and return this to us as indicated on the form.
7. How do I find out more information about my employer’s plan?
To see the details, of your employer’s plan including items such as eligibility to participate, termination of employment, benefits available and claims run-out periods, please see your Summary Plan Description, which is available from your employer.
Claim Questions
8. Where do I get a claim form?
(1)
Click here 
to get an interactive claim form for Transit and Parking in PDF format that can be filled out online and then printed out.
(2) Use the pulldown menu on the right to select a claim form.
(3) Go to the
claim forms page to select from more claim forms.
9. How do I fill out a claim form?
See our
Claim Form Example 
and
3 Easy Steps 
for help. Please call us at 1-888-295-5656 if you need further assistance.
10. How can I submit my claim?
You have three options. You can (1) Use our Online Claims Entry system:
Login here to enter your Transit and/or Parking claims directly into the system. Then simply fax the claim transmittal form and your receipts to Creative Benefits at 1-888-295-5757 (or 760-758-4610). Your claim will be reviewed in record time! (2) Mail your claim to Creative Benefits, PO Box 1928, Vista, CA, 92085 or (3) Scan and e-mail your claim to
Claims.
11. Why do I need to submit Transit and Parking expenses within 180 days?
The requirement is found in Treas. Reg. § 1.132-9, Q/A-16(c).
Specifically, subsection (c) says in part: "The employer must implement reasonable procedures to ensure that an amount equal to the reimbursement was incurred for transportation in a commuter highway vehicle, transit passes, or qualified parking. The expense must be substantiated within a reasonable period of time. An expense substantiated to the payor within 180 days after it has been paid will be treated as having been substantiated within a reasonable period of time."
The safe harbor for the regs in an outside time limit of 180 days for submission. By design, a plan can specify a shorter period.
12. Why can't my credit card or balance due receipt be used as an appropriate receipt?
The IRS has determined that credit card receipts, check carbons, canceled checks, or balance due statements are not acceptable documentation of expenses. The exception to this is when you use your payment card, which provides us enough additional information to use as substantiation.
Any of the following are considered appropriate proof of qualified Transit
and Parking expenses:
- Receipts for parking and vanpool expense
- A used transit pass
- A photocopy of a transit pass
- Other documentation by a third party that the expense
has been incurred. The documentation must specify the dates
to which the expenses apply.
Expense Questions
13. Why are some expenses not covered?
The IRS determines what expenses are eligible for payment under Transit & Parking
plan. If you would like to inquire about the eligibility of a specific expense,
please e-mail
Questions or
call 1-888-295-5656.
Links
For Customer Service or questions about your account, contact us at: Email: Questions
Phone: 1-888-295-5656
Our Participant Support Specialists are available from 5:00 am to 5:30 pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
CLAIM SUBMISSION
Submit your completed and signed claim form with supporting documentation to:
Fax:
1-888-295-5757 or
1-888-452-5922
Email: Claims
Mail:
Creative Benefits, Inc.
P.O. Box 1928
Vista, CA 92085-1928