The Employee Assistance Program provides employees and their families with free, confidential assistance to help resolve problems that affect their personal lives and job performance.

Services are provided by Lytle EAP Partners, which has offices located throughout the metropolitan region and nationwide. Lytle EAP Partners deals with problems that affect an employee and their ability to perform on the job. Problems may include, but are not limited to, financial difficulties, marital problems, legal problems, children, and problems caused by drugs or alcohol.

Lytle EAP Partners provides a free initial assessment and short-term crisis intervention. If further resources are needed, Lytle will attempt to refer participants to the most appropriate and cost-effective service provider and one for which the employee's health benefits will cover a portion of the cost.

The Town of Vienna provides financial assistance to employees in obtaining their General Education Diploma (GED) and/or college degree. An employee must file a request for participation to the director of human resources prior to beginning the educational program.

General Education Diploma (GED)

For employees who wish to earn their high school diploma, the following is available:

• Tuition reimbursement for preparation courses in an amount not to exceed the current rate(s) charged by the Fairfax County Public Schools system.
• Reimbursement for cost of exams taken at an official testing center.

College degree (associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree)

For employees who wish to earn a college degree, the following is available:

• Tuition reimbursed in an amount not to exceed the current in-state rates charged by George Mason University.
• Reimbursement for up to 18 credit hours each calendar year.

The Town of Vienna provides its employees with enrollment in two different types of flexible spending accounts: a medical spending account and a dependent care assistance program. Both programs are administered through Ameriflex.

Medical spending account

During each pay period, employees can make equal pre-tax, tax-exempt contributions to an account used to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred by the employee or immediate family members during the calendar year. The maximum annual contribution cannot exceed $2,550.

Participants receive a debit card for use at the time of service or can submit claim forms for reimbursement. The plan year runs from January 1 through December 31, and covers those expenses incurred during that timeframe only. Employees may roll up to $500 of any unused health flexible spending account funds over at the end of the plan year.

Dependent care assistance program

Employees can make equal pre-tax contributions per pay period to an account used to pay for dependent care expenses incurred for dependents under the age of 13 or a disabled family member during the calendar year. The maximum contribution cannot exceed $5,000 per calendar year. Contributions to the dependent care assistance program are in lieu of employees taking a dependent childcare credit on their income tax return. Proof of expenses for services rendered must be submitted and received by the account administrator within 90 days after the end of the calendar year, or the employee forfeits the balance of the account.

This optional benefit program, offered through Legal Resources, provides legal services for employees, their spouse, and dependent children under 19 years of age or under 23 if a full-time student. Attorneys must be selected from the Legal Resources network, which provides nationwide coverage. Services listed in the summary of services are either covered in full at 100% or discounted 25%, depending upon the legal matter.

Payment for this service, which provides for unlimited use of covered services for all covered family members, is deducted from each paycheck.

Employees may enroll within 30 days of their initial hire date or during open season in May for a July 1 effective date.

By enrolling in the plan, employees agree to pay the monthly fee for a minimum of 12 months. Coverage may only be dropped during open season each May, to be effective July 1.

The Line of Duty Act (LODA) provides benefits to police officers or their beneficiaries due to death or certain disabilities resulting from the performance of duties. Benefits under this plan are established and maintained by the Virginia General Assembly and administered by the state Department of Accounts, Line of Duty Act Division.

Visit the LODA website for specific program details and eligibility requirements.