Supporting employee wellness continues to be a priority, and we’re pleased to share that we are moving forward with a new Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) benefit in partnership with ASI, our flexible spending partner, launching in early 2026.
The LSA is designed to give employees greater flexibility in supporting their personal health, fitness, and overall well-being – especially as many of us set New Year’s resolutions and wellness goals. Funded through our self-funded health insurance plan, this benefit allows for responsible use of available plan resources while offering meaningful, employee-centered support.
How the Lifestyle Spending Account works:
- Up to $250 reimbursement per benefit-eligible employee (Based on a 1.0 FTE; prorated for reduced FTE)
- Note: We originally planned to provide a $200 benefit, but because the benefit is taxable, we increased the amount to $250 to help offset the associated taxes for employees.
- Covers approved wellness and lifestyle-related expenses
- Eligible expenses must be incurred between January 1 and March 31, 2026
- Reimbursements will be paid in February and March, with a short April run-out period for submitting claims.
- Note: Claims must be submitted by April 30, 2026 to be considered for reimbursement! If the funds are not claimed by the deadline, the money is forfeited (lost).
Claim submission made easy:
Employees will submit LSA claims directly through the ASI Flex online portal or mobile app by uploading receipts for approved expenses. There is no requirement to verify that an expense is used exclusively by the employee (for example, a family gym membership); however, participation is limited to benefit-eligible staff only. (Those who receive a contract or Notice of Conditions document.)
Once eligibility data is loaded in January, employees will receive an email from ASI with instructions on how to set up their accounts and begin submitting claims. For help accessing your account or using the portal, please contact Kevin Klobassa, Benefits Specialist.
A time-limited new year benefit:
The LSA will be rolled out as a New Year – focused, time-limited benefit, reinforcing our commitment to wellness during a season when many employees are prioritizing healthy habits and personal goals. Eligibility will be loaded in January, initial reimbursements will begin in February, and reminder communications will continue throughout the three-month window. More details – including eligible expenses and step-by-step instructions – will be shared as we approach the launch date. We look forward to offering this flexible new benefit and supporting employee well-being in a practical, meaningful way.
For questions, please reach out to Jennifer Coombes, Interim Chief Financial Officer or Karl Kurt, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Human Resources. Check out the LSA brochure for more information.