Surrogacy Assistance Program
Maven Wallet for Adoption & Surrogacy is available for expenses associated with an arrangement, supported by a legal agreement, whereby a woman agrees to become pregnant and deliver a child for a contracted party (i.e., individual or couple) who is, or will ultimately become the parent(s) of the newborn child or children.
Full-time, regular Officers and full-time, regular Non-Union Support Staff are eligible for this program.
How to Apply
Surrogacy reimbursement is available for expenses associated with an arrangement, supported by a legal agreement, whereby a woman agrees to become pregnant and deliver a child for a contracted party (i.e., individual or couple) who is, or will ultimately become the parent(s) of the newborn child or children.
This would also include a gestational surrogate — someone who carries a pregnancy and gives birth to a child for another person or couple, but has no biological connection to the child. The surrogacy arrangement must be a legally recognized agreement between the two parties.
The Program reimburses the Eligible Employee up to $30,000 per lifetime for Eligible Expenses. The $30,000 per lifetime limit applies to the Eligible Employee’s entire household, meaning that, if the Eligible Employee has a spouse who also qualifies as an Eligible Employee, the combined benefit the Eligible Employees may enjoy under the Program is limited to $30,000.
The benefit provided under the Program is taxable, meaning that it appears in the Eligible Employee’s paycheck and is subject to applicable federal, state and/or city taxes as well as FICA and Medicare taxes.
Eligible expenses must be incurred after employee eligibility begins. Eligible expenses include those for services for you or your spouse/covered dependent.
Any expense that is reimbursed by any other source (including any reimbursement accounts held by your eligible spouse/covered dependent) is ineligible for reimbursement.
For any expenses below marked with an asterisk (*), you’ll be required to provide a copy of the formal, signed surrogacy agreement or a letter from an attorney attesting that there is a signed agreement or that the arrangement is legal despite the absence of a signed agreement.
- Eligible Expenses
- Embryo/egg/sperm donation agency fees
- Surrogacy agency fees
- Gestational carrier, egg/sperm donor screening costs*
- Surrogate/gestational carrier compensation*
- Egg/sperm donation shipping and transport fees*
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) and other medical costs related to the impregnation of the surrogate, if not covered by another source*
- Extraction and other medical costs related to the egg/sperm/embryo donation, if not covered by another source*
- Ineligible Expenses
- Court costs, legal and attorney's fees
- Any surrogacy arrangement that is not legally valid and recognized in the appropriate jurisdiction
- Gifts or personal expenses to a gestational carrier and/or family members
- Gifts or personal expenses to an egg, sperm or embryo donor
- Voluntary donations or contributions to the surrogacy agency
- Fees for a birth mother's maternity care
What an incredible journey you’re embarking on! The Maven Wallet program provides you with access to employer reimbursements for eligible adoption and/or surrogacy expenses.
Make the most of Maven Wallet by reading this document to understand your reimbursement options for eligible expenses.
If you have any questions about Columbia University’s Maven Wallet program, please email [email protected].
If upon review of your claim for reimbursement, a portion of, or your entire claim is denied, you will be notified of this denial in writing, within a reasonable amount of time. The determination of the AVP, Benefits and Compensation with respect to your claim shall be binding and final. Should you wish to bring a civil court action challenging the denial of a portion of, or your entire claim, you must file any such action within one (1) year following the issuance of the denial notice. In addition, any such action must be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction with venue in New York County.