Quick Answer
Federal employees have until April 30, 2026 to file claims for eligible expenses incurred during the 2025 FSAFEDS plan year (January 1 - December 31, 2025) or the grace period (January 1 - March 15, 2026). After April 30, any remaining balance is permanently forfeited. Log in to FSAFEDS.gov to check your balance and submit claims.
If you're a federal employee with money left in your 2025 FSAFEDS Health Care Flexible Spending Account, the clock is ticking. April 30, 2026 is the absolute last day to file claims for eligible expenses incurred during the 2025 plan year (January 1 – December 31, 2025) or the grace period (January 1 – March 15, 2026).
After April 30, any remaining balance is forfeited — gone, no exceptions, no appeals. Here's exactly what you need to know and do.
What Are the Key FSAFEDS Deadlines for 2025 Plan Year?
There are three critical dates federal employees must know. Missing any of them means losing money:
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 2025 FSAFEDS plan year ends |
| March 15, 2026 | Grace period ends — last day to incur eligible expenses using 2025 funds |
| April 30, 2026 | Claims filing deadline — last day to submit claims for 2025/grace period expenses |
These are two different deadlines and confusing them is a common, expensive mistake:
- The grace period deadline (March 15) is the last day you can incur an expense and charge it to 2025 funds.
- The claims deadline (April 30) is the last day you can submit paperwork for those expenses.
If you had an eligible expense on March 10, 2026, you still have until April 30 to file the claim. But you cannot incur a new expense on March 20 and charge it to 2025 funds — the grace period has closed.
What Claims Can I Still File Before April 30?
You can file claims for any eligible medical expense that was incurred between January 1, 2025 and March 15, 2026. "Incurred" means the date you received the service or purchased the item — not the date you were billed or paid.
Common expenses to check:
- Doctor visit copays — check your insurance EOBs for any visits you forgot to claim
- Prescription copays — your pharmacy can print a year-end summary
- Dental work — cleanings, fillings, orthodontia payments
- Vision expenses — eye exams, glasses, contacts purchased in 2025
- OTC medications — allergy meds, pain relievers, cold medicine (keep receipts!)
- Menstrual products — pads, tampons, cups purchased in 2025 (eligible since the CARES Act of 2020)
- Sunscreen — SPF 15+ purchased in 2025
- COVID tests — at-home test kits purchased in 2025
How Do I File a Claim on FSAFEDS.gov?
Follow these steps to file a claim before the April 30, 2026 deadline:
Step 1: What documentation do I need?
For each expense, you need an itemized receipt or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) showing: provider name, date of service, description of service/item, and amount. Credit card statements alone are not sufficient — you need itemized proof.
Step 2: How do I log in to FSAFEDS?
Go to fsafeds.gov and log in with your FSAFEDS credentials. If you've forgotten your login, use the password recovery tool — don't wait until April 29 to figure this out.
Step 3: How do I submit a claim?
- Click "Submit a Claim" from your dashboard
- Select "Health Care FSA" as the account type
- Enter the date of service, provider name, and amount
- Upload your documentation (receipt or EOB)
- Review and submit
Step 4: How do I confirm my claim was submitted?
After submitting, check your claims history to confirm the claim shows as "Submitted" or "Pending." Save your confirmation number. Claims typically process within 5-10 business days.
Step 5: When will I receive reimbursement?
Once approved, reimbursement is deposited into your bank account on file. If you haven't set up direct deposit, do it now at fsafeds.gov under account settings — otherwise you'll receive a paper check, which takes longer.
What If I've Already Spent My Entire FSAFEDS Balance?
If your 2025 HCFSA balance is $0, you're in the clear — nothing to worry about. But double-check: many federal employees have small remaining balances they've forgotten about. Log in to FSAFEDS and check your "Account Summary" page.
Does the April 30 Deadline Apply to the DCFSA Too?
Yes. The same April 30, 2026 deadline applies to the Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA). If you had dependent care expenses (daycare, after-school care, elder care) in 2025 that you haven't claimed, file them before April 30.
How Can I Avoid This Deadline Stress Next Year?
The reason most federal employees lose FSA money isn't that they don't have eligible expenses — it's that they forget to track their balance and file on time. According to EBRI data, federal employees forfeit millions in FSA funds annually. Here are three ways to prevent it:
- Set up SpendRebel for federal employees — it's pre-configured for FSAFEDS plan years (January 1 - December 31, grace period through March 15) and sends escalating reminders as your deadlines approach.
- File claims monthly — don't let receipts pile up. Submit each expense shortly after it's incurred.
- Use the FSAFEDS debit card — the FSAFEDS-issued debit card automatically submits many claims at the point of sale, reducing manual filing.
The April 30 deadline is less than five weeks away. Don't be one of the thousands of federal employees who forfeit money every year. Check your balance, gather your receipts, and file today.
Sign up for SpendRebel to make sure you never miss another deadline. It takes two minutes and it's completely free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file FSAFEDS claims after April 30?
No. April 30, 2026 is a firm deadline with no extensions. Any claims not submitted by 11:59 PM ET on April 30 will not be processed, and the remaining balance is permanently forfeited.
What is the difference between the FSAFEDS grace period and the claims deadline?
The grace period (ending March 15, 2026) is the last day to incur eligible expenses using 2025 funds. The claims deadline (April 30, 2026) is the last day to submit paperwork for those expenses. You have 46 days after the grace period ends to file your claims.
Can I use my 2026 FSAFEDS funds for expenses incurred during the 2025 grace period?
No. Expenses incurred during the grace period (January 1 - March 15, 2026) must be charged to your 2025 FSAFEDS balance. Your 2026 balance covers only expenses incurred after March 15, 2026 (or from January 1 if you do not have a grace period balance).
How do I check my remaining FSAFEDS balance?
Log in to FSAFEDS.gov and navigate to your Account Summary page. Your remaining balance, claims history, and plan details are all available there. You can also call FSAFEDS at 1-877-FSAFEDS (1-877-372-3337).