Welcome to the City of Austin Open Enrollment 2026
Open Enrollment is your opportunity to make changes to your benefits and add/drop dependents without a qualifying life event. Open Enrollment begins October 17 and ends November 10, 2025. Any benefit changes you make during Open Enrollment will be effective January 1, 2026.
If you currently participate in the Flexible Health Care Account and/or Dependent Care Account, you must participate in Open Enrollment to re-enroll. If you do not, your account will end on December 31, 2025. All other benefits will automatically roll over to 2026, if you do not participate in Open Enrollment. However, it is important that you review your benefit elections and verify your beneficiaries.
If you currently participate in the CDHP Health Savings Account, your total 2025 employee calendar maximum will roll over to 2026. You must participate in Open Enrollment if you wish to change your per pay period contribution amount. Note, you can increase or decrease your contribution at any time during the year.
- View the 2026 Employee Benefits Guide for rates, eligibility guidelines, and documentation requirements.
- View 2026 Benefits Changes and other Open Enrollment information
- To make benefits changes online, visit Workday. Open Enrollment will be available 24/7 and closes at 11:59 PM on November 10, 2025. Note, Workday is available through any City computer or by downloading the app on your smartphone.
- To make changes to your benefits by telephone, call 888-584-2919. Telephone enrollment is available Monday – Friday, from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Your first benefit deduction will occur on your January 16, 2026, paycheck.
Virtual Meetings: Open Enrollment meetings are available to all City of Austin employees. To attend a Microsoft Teams meeting, follow the steps below:
Visit Learning Home - Workday. In the search field, enter 2026 Benefits Open Enrollment. IMPORTANT: Once you register, your supervisor will receive a Workday Task to approve your request. Please reach out to your supervisor.
• Friday, October 17: 2—3 pm.
• Friday, October 24: 10—11 am.
• Friday, October 31: 2—3 pm.
Leave Bank - Join the Leave Bank Program during Open Enrollment!
The City of Austin provides a voluntary Leave Bank, which operates under a “membership” model. Eligible City employees can obtain additional paid leave when they have an FMLA-qualifying event, as defined by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Participants are required to exhaust their own accrued leave balances. Employees become members by donating a minimum of 8 hours of paid leave during the annual Benefits Open Enrollment period or a special drive authorized by the Director of Human Resources. Participants must also donate a minimum of 16 hours of paid leave when an unforeseen FMLA-qualifying event occurs, and exhaustion of all accrued leave balances is eminent.
Child Care Assistance Program
The City will continue to provide up to $5,000 in childcare assistance for eligible employees ($208.33 per pay period). This benefit is available to regular, full-time City employees with children under the age of 13 and can be used toward IRS-dependent care eligible expenses that allow you to work or attend school. Eligibility is determined by family size and employee income (see chart to the right).
Applications are ONLY accepted during Open Enrollment period (October 17—November 10, 2025)
Child Care Assistance Program Application
To apply, email your application to Benefits.HRD@austintexas.gov. Please note, if you currently do not cover your dependents on your benefits, the required dependent documentation must be included with your application, i.e. birth certificate for your dependent children, birth certificate and marriage certificate for stepchildren, or documentation that supports legal guardianship, legal conservatorship, or adoption. Incomplete applications will delay processing and may result in denial. Assistance is offered on a first-come, first-served basis as funding permits.
If you currently participate in the Child Care Assistance Program, City contributions will end December 14, 2025. You must reapply for the Child Care Assistance Program.
For more information email Benefits.HRD@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-3284.