Welcome back! A new school year brings fresh routines, new students, new colleagues, and a long list of responsibilities. Whether you are returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, now is the perfect time to check in on your benefits.
Your ASEBP benefits are designed to support your physical, mental, and financial well-being throughout the year. As you settle back into your routine, here are three important reminders to help you make the most of the support available to you.
Your EFAP is more than counselling
When people hear the term Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), they often think of mental health counselling. While counselling is an important part of the program, your EFAP offers much more.
Included with your ASEBP benefits at no additional cost, EFAP provides confidential support for you and your eligible dependants through a wide range of services, including:
- Individual, couples, and family counselling
- Personalized nutrition counselling
- Health coaching
- Career coaching
- Life transition support
- Financial advice
- Legal advice
Whether you need help creating a household budget, planning for retirement, or are looking for parenting support, your EFAP can connect you with professionals who can help.
Many services include free yearly hours, while financial and legal advice are available on an unlimited basis. Your yearly service hours reset every January 1, so if you have not explored these resources recently, now is a great time to take another look. ASEBP covered members can access services virtually or in person through GreenShield. EFAP services are available to both covered members and their eligible dependants.
Learn more and get started through ASEBP’s EFAP page.
Don’t forget about your spending accounts
Your spending accounts are designed to complement your regular benefits and help you pay for eligible expenses that support your health and wellness.
Depending on your benefits plan, you may have access to:
Health Spending Account (HSA)
HSAs can be used to pay for eligible health-related expenses that are not fully covered under your benefits plan or Alberta’s provincial health-care program.
Wellness Spending Account (WSA)
WSAs can be used for a variety of eligible wellness-related expenses that help you feel better, stay healthy, or improve your overall well-being. Eligible expenses vary depending on your WSA plan (WSA 1 for other education workers, and WSA 2 for teachers).
A reminder about the 60-day run-off period
While the ASEBP plan year runs from September 1 to August 31, you have an additional 60 days to submit eligible spending account expenses from the previous plan year.
This means that if you incurred an eligible expense between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026, you have until October 30, 2026, to submit your claim.
Keep in mind:
- You must have spending account credits available from the previous plan year to be reimbursed.
- Only expenses incurred while your benefits were active are eligible.
- Expenses incurred during the run-off period will be reimbursed by your current-year spending account credits.
- Expenses cannot be carried forward into future plan years if they are submitted after the run-off period deadline.
- Carry-over credits, if not used during the 60-day run-off period, will become available to you after the run-off period deadline of October 30.
To learn more about eligible expenses, deadlines, and how to manage your account, visit the Spending Accounts page.
Remember: Paramedical annual limits reset on January 1
It is easy to assume that all your benefits reset when the new plan year begins on September 1. However, that is not always the case.
Many paramedical services follow a calendar-year cycle, meaning their annual limits reset on January 1, not at the start of the school year.
If you use services such as massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and psychology and counselling, be sure to review your remaining coverage before booking appointments. Understanding when your annual limits reset can help you better plan treatments and avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
You can check your current benefit usage, remaining balances, and coverage details anytime through your My ASEBP account or the My ASEBP mobile app.
Start the year informed
Your ASEBP benefits are designed to support your health, well-being, and wellness throughout your career. Taking a few minutes to review your coverage now can help you make more informed decisions throughout the school year.
Log in to your My ASEBP account, explore the resources available to you, and make this your healthiest and most supported school year yet.