Adoption assistance

Administered by WEX Health

UC offers support to eligible faculty and staff who wish to expand their immediate families through adoption. UC’s Adoption Assistance Plan, administered by WEX Health, provides financial reimbursement of up to $5,000 of eligible expenses per adoption.

Full Full eligibility available
Mid Mid eligibility available
Core Core eligibility available
Retirees Retirees eligibility available

How the plan works

Employees who are eligible for benefits automatically qualify to participate in the program; enrollment is not needed. Keep receipts and other documentation of your expenses throughout the adoption process. After the adoption is legally finalized, you may request reimbursement for up to $5,000 of qualified adoption expenses.

The reimbursement benefit is available for up to two adoptions, with a maximum lifetime benefit of $10,000. If both adoptive parents work for UC, the maximum combined reimbursement benefit for the costs of adopting one child is $5,000, or $10,000 for the costs of adopting two children.

Qualified expenses

The following expenses qualify for reimbursement if they are directly related to and for the principal purpose of adoption:

Attorney fees and court costs
Licensed adoption agency and placement fees
Immigration, translation and document authentication fees
Re-adoption expenses for a foreign child
Travel expenses, including meals and lodging while away from home
Parent, child and family adoption counseling fees
Home suitability study fees

How to submit claims for reimbursement

Follow these steps once your adoption is legally finalized:

Complete the UC Adoption Verification Form PDF and submit it to WEX Health.
WEX will verify that your adoption meets the plan’s eligibility requirements and send you an email confirming whether you’re eligible. If approved, the email will include instructions on how to set up your account online.
Follow the instructions in WEX’s confirmation email to set up an online account in their system.
Complete the UC Adoption Claim Form PDF and submit it to WEX using the instructions provided on the form.

If you have additional questions about the Adoption Assistance Plan see Frequently Asked Questions about the Adoption Assistance PlanPDF, the Adoption Assistance Plan Policy PDF or contact WEX Health at 844-561-1338.

More information

Employee benefits