ADS Chapter 515 Transit Benefits (SmartBenefits®) Program

The program encourages Federal Government employees to choose mass transit and other commuting options that reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. Eligible employees for the Transit Benefits Program include direct-hires, Bureau-approved employees under Washington-based U.S. Personal Service Contracts (PSCs), and paid and unpaid interns. Employees of other federal agencies working for USAID are not eligible to enroll in USAID's Transit Benefits Program, as they should maintain their transit benefits from their parent agency. To apply for the program, employees must purchase and register a SmartBenefits card at www.wmata.com or at participating metro stations. Employees must complete an application for transit benefits using the AID-515-1, Application for Transit Benefit form, which must be submitted to their Bureau/Independent Office AMS officer for approval and forwarding to the Transit Benefit Program Manager. The Transit Benefit Program Manager is responsible for reviewing and approving new applications for completeness, including checking eligibility based on the information provided in the application. The Manager will send a notification to the employee that their application has been approved, and once an employee receives this notification, their benefits will automatically load to their card when they go through the SmartBenefits target or on the bus fare box. All employees must recertify their transit benefits by notifying their supervisor and Transit Benefit Program Manager within five business days if employment changes occur that impact their transit benefits, such as extended telework, extended sick leave, or extended temporary duty travel. Employees must also recertify their transit benefits annually to continue the benefit. The Transit Benefit Program Manager will review the detailed monthly reports from WMATA to ensure that the information for all participating employees is updated and accurate. Unused funds at the end of the month are automatically returned to the Agency. The Division Chief, Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services, Headquarters Management Division (M/MS/HMD), or his or her designee, is responsible for the overall coordination of USAID's Transit Benefits Program, including program enrollment, participant subsidy determinations, and program report generation and review. The USAID Transit Benefit Program Manager is the program liaison with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Administrative Management Staff (AMS) Officers for each Bureau/Independent Office (B/IO) are responsible for verifying employee eligibility status and participation in the program. Employees are responsible for recertifying transit benefits at the end of each fiscal year, notifying the Transit Benefit Program Manager of any changes throughout the year, and using the program in accordance with the policies and procedures in this chapter. The Transit Benefits Program is effective as of March 23, 2016, and is subject to the policies and procedures outlined in this chapter.