Program Details

‍

Overview

‍

How does the backup care benefit work?

Backup care is designed to bridge unexpected gaps, such as last-minute school closures or short-term caregiver unavailability. 

‍

Here is what you get:

• Annual Days: You get a total of 20 days of backup care per calendar year. 
• Personal Network Reimbursement: For extra flexibility, you can get reimbursed for using your own personal network (like a trusted neighbor or family member) for up to 10 of those days* Wellthy also offers a wide network of vetted partnerships with care facilities and community-based programs like childcare centers, local clinics, and bespoke activities.
• Booking in Advance: Backup care is a resource for last-minute disruptions, not for long-range planning or as a replacement for your regular caregiver. There is a maximum of 5 consecutive days during a rolling 90 day period.
• Unused Days: Backup care days do not roll over and are not paid out.‍

*Spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children cannot serve as Personal Network providers.

‍

Who is eligible for this benefit?

The benefit is available to all full-time, part-time, and fixed-term Alphabet employees in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Ireland. Interns, temps, vendors, and contractors are not eligible.

‍

Who can receive care?

Eligible care recipients include:

• Child dependents (under age 18)
• Disabled adult dependents (ages 18–65)
• Elderly adult dependents (ages 65+)

‍

How is a "day" defined?

A day of backup care is defined as:

• Half Day: Up to 4 hours of care.
• Full Day: Between 4 and 8 hours of care.
• Full Day+: Care exceeding 8 hours is charged in additional half-day increments.

‍

Costs and Coverage

‍

What are the copays for Wellthy?

The following copays apply when you use a Wellthy Care Network Provider. There are no copays when using a Personal Network Provider. Please note that local currency amounts are approximate and may vary slightly based on exchange rates at the time of service.

‍

United States

• Facility (In-Center) Care: $25 for a full day or $15 for a half day
• In-Home Care: $40 for a full day or $30 for a half day

Canada

• Facility (In-Center) Care: $34 CAD for a full day or $20 CAD for a half day
• In-Home Care: $54 CAD for a full day or $41 CAD for a half day

United Kingdom

• Facility (In-Center) Care: £20 for a full day or £12 for a half day
• In-Home Care: £32 for a full day or £24 for a half day

Ireland

• Facility (In-Center) Care: €23 for a full day or €14 for a half day
• In-Home Care: €37 for a full day or €28 for a half day

Personal Network Provider Reimbursement

If you use a Personal Network Provider, you may be eligible for reimbursement up to the following amounts. Please note that local currency amounts are approximate and may vary slightly based on exchange rates at the time of service.

• United States: Up to $150 for a full day or $75 for a half day
• Canada: Up to $120 CAD for a full day or $60 CAD for a half day
• United Kingdom: Up to £135 for a full day or £67.50 for a half day
• Ireland: Up to €140 for a full day or €70 for a half day

Additional Personal Network Considerations 

• Reimbursements are taxable: Any reimbursement received for care provided by a Personal Network Provider is considered taxable income and will be reported to Google for applicable tax withholding.
• U.S. employees using a Dependent Care FSA: If you would like to use funds from a Dependent FSA account, you can pay for the copay out-of-pocket, then submit for a reimbursement with Wellthy and submit a claim with your Dependent FSA provider.
• ‍No copayment required: There is no copayment when using a Personal Network Provider.
• ‍Proof of payment is required: To receive reimbursement, you'll need to submit documentation showing who provided the care, the date when care was provided, and the amount paid.
  
  • A receipt from the care provider or program
  • A screenshot of a digital payment (such as PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle)
  • A photo or copy of a check written to the care provider

Getting Started

‍

Activate your Wellthy account and sign up using your Google SSO credentials 

• Search Wellthy’s Care Network for providers in your area
• Ask a Backup Care Specialist to search for you
• Add your Personal Network in the system to have on speed dial

How do I get in touch with Wellthy?

The Wellthy team is ready to support you! 

You can message our team on our digital platform, which is available 24 hours, 7 days/week. For backup care requests, Backup Care Specialists are available 24 hours, 7 days/week. You can message us directly through the platform or call (877) 588-3917

Wellthy Care Network and Providers

‍

What kinds of providers will I find in Wellthy’s Care Network?

All types! Wellthy’s Care Network is designed to offer a wide range of solutions tailored to your unique situation. Whether you're looking for convenient local providers, in-home support, enriching activities for your kids (think Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA programs, arts and crafts, and more!), reliable babysitters, nannies, private caregivers, or trusted daycare options (both centers and home-based), Wellthy has you covered. Explore the possibilities and find the perfect fit for your family!

‍

Will I have options, or will I have to use a certain provider?

You will never be required to use a particular provider for backup care. Wellthy has created a Care Network of different types of vetted options for you to choose from and our Backup Care Specialists are here to help you find the best-fit provider with availability. You can also use your own Personal Network providers (who are not your regular caregivers) for backup care. Please note that spouses, domestic partners, and other dependent children cannot be used as Personal Network providers. Proof of payment and documentation that care took place will be required to receive reimbursement.

‍

I already have a backup care provider I trust—how can I connect them with Wellthy’s network?

If you already have a backup care provider you know and trust, you can add them to your Backup Care Circle. Wellthy’s team will periodically review these providers and reach out to invite them to join Wellthy’s Care Network.

‍

Can I schedule backup care on my own and get reimbursed?

Yes, you can reserve the care on your own, pay the provider, collect a receipt for the payment, and request a reimbursement on the Wellthy platform by completing a reimbursement form, which includes: who provided the care, the date when care was provided, and the amount paid. Examples of acceptable proof include:

• A receipt provided by a care program
• A screenshot of digital payment (e.g., PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo)
• A photo of a check written out to the care provider

How long will it take to get my reimbursement?

Once the appropriate documentation is submitted, a Backup Care Specialist will review within 1 business day. If approved, you’ll receive your reimbursement within 5–7 business days.

‍

How long do I have to submit for reimbursement?

You have 30 days from the date of care to submit your reimbursement request. Be sure to allow enough time for your request to be reviewed, approved, and processed before the deadline.

‍

Safety and Vetting 

‍

‍How do I know that the providers in Wellthy’s Care Network are high-quality, safe, and reliable?

Wellthy’s vetting process is rigorous and multi-layered—combining background screening, credential verification, reputation analysis, and ongoing oversight. This enables us to confidently connect families with trusted, qualified care providers across private, facility-based, and community settings.

‍

Background Checks & Credentialing
All in-home caregivers in Wellthy’s Care Network undergo a comprehensive screening process prior to engagement, with annual re-screening thereafter. Our screening process is tailored to the provider type and state to ensure full compliance with specific state regulations. These checks may include: 

• Social Security number trace 
• Sex offender registry search 
• National level criminal record searches 
• State and county-level criminal record searches
• Global Watchlist check
• Identity verification
• Education verification

Note: In-home providers are not permitted to transport any care. 

‍

Similarly, center-based care including care facilities and community-based programs  like  childcare centers, local clinics, and bespoke activities, also undergo a screening process in order to be a part of Wellthy’s Care Network. We verify appropriate licensing, certifications, and regulatory standing in accordance with applicable local requirements.

‍

Quality & Reputation Review
Whenever possible, we incorporate online review analysis and broader reputation checks to provide additional insight into provider quality and family experience. We also continually collect provider quality scoring after each use on our platform and any concerning quality ratings are flagged for further review

‍

Ongoing Monitoring & Standards
Our vetting doesn’t stop at onboarding. We continuously monitor providers and maintain clear standards for addressing any concerns, ensuring accountability and consistency across the network.

‍

Please note: Wellthy does not directly employ or oversee any provider in the Care Network or within an individual’s Personal Network. Wellthy does not take responsibility for the final selection, whether they are sourced by Wellthy, the family, or through other means. If employees use a caregiver or center from their Personal Network, they are fully responsible for all vetting and verifying.

‍

Tax Considerations

‍

Wellthy will report to Google the amount of money reimbursed to employees for care through this program. These types of reimbursement amounts are taxable and your pay will be subject to imputed income. For questions regarding how your tax withholding was calculated, contact: go/payroll-support

‍

To view the number of backup care days you’ve used, visit your Backup Care Dashboard. There, you can see your total days used per year. In the "Care Events" section, you can click on past events to view a summary of the care provided, including the date and time, care recipients, provider details, and a breakdown of costs.

‍

‍It may be that you are able to claim federal, state or local tax credits relating to the childcare expenses covered by the income imputed by your employer. Please note that Wellthy is not qualified to provide personal tax advice. For guidance on your specific tax situation, we recommend consulting a tax advisor.

‍

‍Backup Care Allowance

‍

What if I use up all of my backup care days for the year and I need more?

If you’ve used all your backup care days, you can still access Wellthy’s Care Network to find and book care—you’ll just pay the full cost out of pocket. Wellthy’s Backup Care Specialists will still be available to help you search for care and coordinate everything, even if you used all your days for the year.

‍

If I have backup care days left over at the end of the year, can I roll them over to the next year?

No, unused backup care days do not roll over. You’ll receive a new set of days each calendar year based on Google's program. 

‍

‍What if my spouse/partner and I work for the same company?

You and your partner are both eligible for your individual allowance. Each employee would need to set up their profile within the Wellthy platform.

‍

How can I use my days across multiple loved ones?

You can use your backup care days flexibly, whether you're caring for your children or an adult dependent. When booking backup care for multiple loved ones Wellthy will apply backup care days to each dependent separately. 

‍

‍Here are some examples of how it works for both Wellthy network and Personal network providers:

‍

Backup care for one eligible child + one adult loved one:

‍

Care for child only = one backup care day

Care for adult only = one backup care day

Care for both on the same day with the same in-home provider = one backup care day

Care for both on the same day with different providers (e.g., daycare + in-home aide) = two backup care days

‍

Backup care for two eligible children:

‍

In-home care for two children with one caregiver = one backup care day 

In-center care (including in-home daycares) at the same care facility for two children = two backup care days (care facility charges per child)

In-center care (including in-home daycares) for two children at two different centers = two backup care days

‍

Please note that these are examples, and Wellthy network provider requirements may vary. Wellthy will always provide clear, upfront information so you know exactly how many days will be deducted for your backup care request.

‍

Cancellation Policy

‍

Note: Cancellation policies vary per provider. Wellthy will provide clear expectations around each of the providers cancellation policies when booking care so you know in advance.

‍

If you need to cancel care more than 24 hours before the scheduled care start time

As long as the cancellation occurs within the provider’s cancellation policy, you can ask your Backup Care Specialist to cancel or contact the provider directly to cancel. 

• You will not be charged a backup care day use.
• You will be refunded for your copay if already charged. 
• In some cases, providers may request payment in advance of care to hold the spot. Wellthy will provide clear expectations around each of the providers cancellation policies when booking care so you know in advance. 
• Backup Care Specialists will request a refund from the provider; however, a refund is not guaranteed.

‍

If you need to cancel care less than 24 hours before the scheduled care start time You can ask your Backup Care Specialist to cancel or contact the provider directly to cancel.

• You will be charged for one backup care day.
• You will be charged your copay and you will not be eligible to receive a refund.
• In some cases, providers may request payment in advance of care to hold the spot. Wellthy will provide clear expectations around each of the providers cancellation policies when booking care so you know in advance.

‍

What if the provider cancels my confirmed reservation?

Your Backup Care Specialist will make every effort to secure care for you promptly. In these situations, we encourage you to leverage your own Personal Network for added support.

‍

‍If care was not secured after the cancellation:

• You will not be charged for a backup care day.
• You will not be charged your copay. 
• All payments will be refunded back according to the type of payment made.

‍

Can Wellthy’s Backup Care Specialists find and schedule backup care for me?

Yes! Backup Care Specialists are here to help you find and secure care when you need care. They can also proactively help you build a list of potential options for when the time comes — this is called building your Backup Care Circle. Backup Care Specialists are available 24 hours, 7 days/week. You can message us directly through the platform or call (877) 588-3917.

‍

What’s a Backup Care Circle?

A Backup Care Circle is like a ‘speed dial’ of your family, friends, preferred and vetted providers. It’s a great planning tool you can turn to when you have to schedule an urgent or planned backup care need.

‍

How do I build a Backup Care Circle?

On your dashboard, click “Build your Backup Care Circle.” From there you will be given options to add your own providers (family, friend, neighbor, babysitter, etc.) or choose from Wellthy’s Care Network.

‍

‍What happens if I don’t have a Backup Care Circle when I need to schedule care?

You can either explore Wellthy’s Care Network by clicking “Find Providers” and scheduling care on your own. Or, you can enlist the help of a Backup Care Specialist by clicking “Schedule Care” and they will help you find safe and reliable providers in your area.

‍

Can I provide feedback about my care experience using Wellthy’s Care Network?

Once the care event is completed, connect with your Backup Care Specialist for any immediate feedback you would like to share. You will also receive a Wellthy survey by email.

‍

‍Is backup care only for when I am at work?

Yes, backup care helps you cover unexpected gaps in your regular care, allowing you to come to work without needing to use your sick leave or vacation time.

‍

Can I utilize backup care for my loved one who has different abilities (e.g., neurodivergence, physical limitations, etc.)?

Yes, Wellthy can help locate appropriate options for your loved one with diverse needs.

‍

‍If my child is sick, can I use backup care?

Yes, you can use backup care when your child is sick, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Most group care settings, like daycare centers, programs, and clinics, won’t accept children who are minorly ill or have an injury (e.g., fever above 100°F, a mild cold, cough, sniffles, or a minor injury) 
• In-home care can be a great option as long as the caregiver understands your child is mildly ill and the caregiver is comfortable with your child’s condition.
• In these moments your Personal Network providers are also great options. We encourage families to tap into your Personal Network and proactively build their Backup Care Circle when possible. Don’t forget, Backup Care Specialists are here to help you build a reliable backup care plan for your family!