Welcome to Your Commuter Benefits Account (CBA)
This page explains the CBA for new participants. If you have not yet enrolled in your Employer’s CBA and are still deciding, click here for more information.
Start Here to Maximize Your CBA
Congratulations on enrolling in your Employer’s CBA. A CBA is a great way to save on your commuting expenses.
Please review this page or download the Welcome Guide above to familiarize yourself with your new benefit.

Table of Contents
Next Steps
Set up Your Online Account
Setting up an online account is not required, but helps you manage your CBA. Below are examples of what you can do with your Online Account:
- Check your balance
- Submit claims
- Order a replacement debit card
- Submit substantiation receipts
- Add your bank account for direct deposit (if allowed by your Employer)
Note that the Online Portal and Mobile App use the same username and password. If you set up your username and password using one method, you will use the same credentials to log into the other.
How to Create Your Online Account
Set up Your Mobile Account
Using the Mobile App is not required, but is a great way to use your FSA on the go. Below are examples of what your can do with the EMPOWER Flex Mobile App:
- Check your balance
- Submit claims
- Submit substantiation receipts
- Scan barcodes with your mobile device to determine eligibility
Note that the Online Portal and Mobile App use the same username and password. If you set up your username and password using one method, you will use the same credentials to log into the other.
How to Create Your Mobile Account
- Using your mobile device, click one of the links above (depending on the chosen device).
- For Apple iOS users, click Get on the download screen.
- For Google users, click Install on the download screen.
- Open the EMPOWER Flex Mobile App after downloading.
- Click the New User? Set up your account to start setting up your account.
- To validate your identity, the on-screen prompts will ask you to provide:
- Full name
- Social Security Number
- Zip code
- Note that this is the zip code that you used when you enrolled in your benefit.
- Once you verify your identity, you will be asked to provide answers to your security questions.
- Save your answers to these questions because you may be asked to provide these answers again.
- Create your username and password.

If you are a brand-new EMPOWER participant, you will receive two free EMPOWER Flex Visa Debit Cards in the mail to the address that you provided in your enrollment. If you are already an EMPOWER participant, your current debit cards are good for three years. Be careful not to lose your cards as there is a replacement fee.
Your Debit Cards will come with instructions. Please note that, if you are a new participant, your cards will not be active until the first day of your new Plan Year for new participants.
Depending on when EMPOWER receives your enrollment, you may not have your EMPOWER Visa Debit Card before the start of the new Plan Year. If that is the case, you may still use the other reimbursement methods listed below until your card arrives.
Use Your Benefits!
Check Your Balance
Check your available balance for your Mass Transit and/or Parking Accounts on the Online Portal or Mobile App. These accounts are separate and EMPOWER will automatically debit the correct account based on the expense type.
How to Get Reimbursed
There are three ways to use your funds to pay for eligible expenses:
- Use your EMPOWER Visa Debit Card to purchase mass transit rides or parking.
- Use another form of payment and get reimbursed from EMPOWER by filing a claim on the Online Portal or Mobile App.
- Use another form of payment and get reimbursed from EMPOWER by completing our claim form.
Save Receipts!
The IRS requires EMPOWER to substantiate all claims and Debit Card transactions to ensure that they meet eligibility requirements.
What Information is Required for a Receipt?
An itemized receipt must include all the following:
· Merchant or provider name
· Services received or item purchased
· Date of service
· Amount of the expense
Cellphone pictures are acceptable as long as they are readable and contain the required information.
How do I Know When to Submit Receipts?
EMPOWER will notify you via email when receipts are required. Receipt requests will follow this timeline:
Name
Time
Action Required
Debit Card Status
First Receipt Request
Within a few days of the transaction
Submit requested receipts to EMPOWER.
Your Debit Card will continue to be active.
Second Receipt Request
30 days after the transaction
Submit requested receipts to EMPOWER.
Your Debit Card will continue to be active.
Overdue Notice
60 days after the transaction
Submit requested receipts to EMPOWER.
Your Debit Card will be suspended until receipts are received and the transaction is substantiated.
Ineligible Notice
90 days after the transaction
Repay the unsubstantiated amount to EMPOWER.
Your Debit Card will remain suspended and will not be reactivated until you repay the unsubstantiated amount. Repayment instructions are provided in the email from EMPOWER.
The email from EMPOWER will contain an attached letter. To open the letter, you must provide the last four digits of your Debit Card.
How Can I Submit Receipts?
EMPOWER offers three easy ways to submit receipts:
- Email the receipt to customerservice@empowerflex.com. Be sure to include your name and Employer.
- Submit the receipt using the Online Portal.
- Submit the receipt using the Mobile App.
How To Submit Receipts Using the Online Portal
- Log into the EMPOWER Online Portal.
- On the homepage of your Portal, you will see a Receipts Needed link in the Tasks section near the top.
- Click the Receipts Needed link and follow the on-screen directions.
How To Submit Receipts Using the Mobile App
- Log into the EMPOWER Mobile App.
- Tap on the View and Upload Receipts icon.
- Click the + button to upload receipts from your mobile device.
- Follow the on-screen prompts.
Reimbursement Methods
EMPOWER offers the following methods of reimbursement for submitted claims:
- By default, you will receive a mailed reimbursement check unless you add your bank account and set your secondary payment method on the online portal (if permitted by your Employer).
- Receive a direct deposit to your bank account by following the instructions below (if permitted by your Employer).
How To Enable Direct Deposit Online
- Log into the EMPOWER Online Portal.
- On the Portal homepage, hover your cursor over the Accounts tab.
- Click on Banking/Cards under the Accounts tab.
- On the Banking/Cards page, click Add Bank Account.
- Enter your banking information and click the Submit button.
- Within the next two business days, EMPOWER will make a deposit and withdrawal under $1.00 in your account. Look for this transaction in your bank account.
- After this transaction has occurred, you will see a new task in the task section on the homepage of your Online Portal.
- Click the task.
- Enter the dollar value of the micro-deposit.
How To Enable Direct Deposit with Form
- Download the Direct Deposit Form.
- Follow the instructions on the form.