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 to and from work only. 

Per IRS Code, the maximum monthly transit subsidy, as of the beginning of 2020, is $270. The monthly calculated and approved transit subsidy is determined based on the actual average costs as entered on the SEET enrollment application, up to $270.

You must recertify your SEET request on an annual basis, and be sure to review your transit costs periodoically and update your SEET application accordingly in Employee Self Service (ESS) (DOE internal site) to receive consideration for any changes to your monthly subsidy amount.

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 ESS (DOE internal site).

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 $10, which covers the actual cost of the card at $2 with an $8-fare value stored on the card. The card can be bought online at the WMATA site 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 ESS 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.

Note: Effective January 1, 2021, the maximum transit  subsidy may increase or descrease as approved by Congress.