The Subsidy for Energy Employees' Transit (SEET) program is designed to promote the use of public transportation to conserve energy resources and ease traffic congestion. DOE employees may enroll in the SEET program to receive monthly transit subsidy that can be used to help offset the commuting cost of getting to and from work. Many regional transit providers accept fare media from the SEET Program.
Eligibility for participation in SEET is limited to DOE Federal employees not listed on a Federal parking permit; members of a vanpool (not to include the driver); and certain other employees who may be on temporary assignments to the Agency. Applicants must certify that the benefit will be used for commuting purposes only and that the monthly transit subsidy received does not exceed the actual average monthly commuting costs.
Per IRS Code, the maximum monthly transit subsidy is currently $125. The Department of Energy implemented the increase under the SEET Program effective February 1, 2008. You must update your SEET application in ESS to receive consideration for any changes to your monthly subsidy amount.
SEET application in ESS - DOE Internal Only.
If you have not already done so, please go online and submit a new SEET application to ensure that all information in our database is current, complete and accurate.
SMARTBENEFITS (SmarTrip Card) Program
The SmartBenefits Program electronically distributes transit benefits in a secure and user-friendly environment. Once registered, you can "load" your monthly subsidy directly to your personal SmarTrip®card. This is a great option for Metrorail and MetroBus riders, and some VanPools. You can enroll in SmartBenefits in three easy steps:
STEP 1 - Enroll in the SEET Program - you must be in the SEET Program BEFORE you can enroll in SmartBenefits®. Apply for SEET in Employee SelfService (ESS) - DOE Internal Only.
STEP 2 - Purchase a SmarTrip® card (or use one that you already have). The SmarTrip® Card is a permanent plastic farecard that is embedded with a computer chip that keeps track of the card’s value. A SmarTrip® Card costs $5.00 and can be bought online at MetroOnline or at the Metro sales office at Metro Center, the Pentagon, or Metro Headquarters at 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC. It can also be purchased at designated kiosks in Metro stations.
STEP 3 - Register the SmarTrip Card with Metro. Register your card at the time of purchase, or on the Metro SmarTrip homepage.
STEP 4 - Complete the SmartBenefits® Program Application in Employee SelfService (ESS) - DOE Internal Only to register your SmarTrip® Card in the DOE SEET Program. Applications received by the 10th of the month will be effective on the 1st day of the following month.
SUBSIDY FOR ENERGY EMPLOYEES TRANSIT (SEET) PROGRAM UPDATE MESSAGE 2/2013
Per Executive Order 13150, the transit subsidy for Washington DC metropolitan area Federal agencies has increased from the $125.00 per month to $245.00 per month. The Department of Energy will implement the new monthly increase effective April 1, 2013.
How do I determine if I am eligible for increased benefits?
To determine eligibility, DOE headquarters Federal employees must:
- Login to ESS
- Click on “Benefits”
- From the Benefits pull down menu, click “SEET Program”
- Under “Select an action,” click on “UPDATE/CHANGE My Enrollment”
- Verify/update
- Your locator information
- Your work schedule
- Your commute
THIS ACTION MUST BE TAKEN NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 27, 2013 TO RECEIVE THE REVISED TRANSIT SUBSIDY FOR APRIL 1, 2013. ANY REQUEST RECEIVED AFTER THE FEBRUARY 27, 2013 WILL BE EFFECTIVE THE FOLLOWING MONTH OF RECEIPT.
How will I receive the benefits?
- Metro rail and/or bus participants will receive benefits via a SmarTrip card.
- VRE, MARC, vanpool and commuter bus participants will receive benefits via a TRANServe debit card.
Further Questions?
Contact the SEET Program Manager at 202.586.5433
or seet@hq.doe.gov
https://powerpedia.energy.gov/wiki/SEET (DOE Internal Only)