Additional Benefits & Discounts

The Research Foundation offers a variety of optional benefits, programs, and discounts. 

Employee Assistance Program

The Research Foundation offers employee assistance to benefited employees through First Stop Health [pdf]. This plan provides free virtual mental health counseling for employees and their dependents. You can access this benefit online at fshealth.com, the First Stop Health App, or by phone at 1-888-691-7867.

ALL employees are also eligible for employee assistance through MetLife LifeWorks EAP [pdf]. This plan is provided to all employees and their dependents at no cost and includes up to 5 face-to-face counseling sessions as well as a wealth of additional resources.

To use this benefit please contact fdn-hr-group@sjsu.edu.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s) are provided by WEX Inc. They allow you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to cover Health Care, Dependent Care, and Commuter Express expenses not normally covered by your primary (medical, dental, and vision) or other supplemental benefits. Once signed up for an FSA you must renew your elections yearly during the Open Enrollment period if you wish for contributions to continue. You can review your FSA balance and claims information by signing up and creating an account on the WEX Inc. website.

Health Care FSA

You may set aside up to $3,200 annually on a PRE-tax basis to pay for out-of-pocket health care-related expenses that your health, dental, and vision plans do not already cover. For a list of covered expenses, please visit WEX Eligible Expenses.

Dependent Care Account

You may set aside up to $5,000 annually on a PRE-tax basis to pay for dependent care expenses. Dependent care expenses include child daycare fees, afterschool programs for children, babysitting costs, and elder care. For a full list of eligible dependent care expenses, please visit WEX Eligible Expenses.

Health Savings Account

Employees who are enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plans may also enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA). An HAS is a benefit that allows you to choose how much of your paycheck you’d like to set aside, pre-tax, for healthcare expenses or use it as a retirement savings tool. Please see the annual contribution limits below:

• Single coverage - $4,150 for 2024
• Family coverage - $8,300 for 2024
• Employees 55 or older can make an annual catch-up contribution of $1,000 on top of the annual contribution limits

Commuter Express Transit and Parking Account

You may set aside up to $315 per month for transit expenses going to and from work and $315 per month on non-employer covered work related parking on a PRE-tax basis. Once elected commuter express transit and parking accounts can be adjusted on a month to month basis. For a full list of eligible travel expenses, please refer to the WEX Transit and Parking [pdf].

WEX Benefits Resources:

• Benefits Mobile App — WEX [pdf]
• Technology Resources — WEX [pdf]

Permit Parking

Permit parking payments for any Central Office or San José State University parking lot can be set up through payroll deductions. Please contact the Human Resources department at fdn-hr-group@sjsu.edu.

Banking

Get favorable rates for banking options (checking, savings, direct deposits) with the Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union and with Wells Fargo, a full service bank.

Discounts

SJSU Research Foundation employees have access to some great perks through San José State University including discounts to amusement parks, museums, movie theatres, and more.

Visit the SJSU Employee Discounts web page to learn more.