Benefits

Dependent Turns Age 19-25

Complete a Dependent Verification Form each fall to indicate whether your dependent meets eligiblity requirements.  Dependent Verification Forms are mailed each year in mid-October.  Failure to complete the Dependent Verification Form will result in the removal of your dependent from your health and/or dental plans. 

• Dependents who are between 19 and 23 may continue health and dental coverage through the end of the year they turn 23 if they meet all the following requirements:
  
  • Be unmarried
  • Legally residing with you (unless a full-time student at an accredited college or university)
  • Be a U.S. citizen or resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico for some part of the calendar year in which your tax year began
  • Be primarily dependent on you (according to IRS definitions) for support and maintenance
  • Be a full-time student at an accredited college or university.*

  *For Health Coverage Only:  If not a full-time student, the dependent must have gross income less than the personal exemption amount as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (IRC).

• Dependents who are over age 23 are no longer eligible for dental coverage.  However, under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA), your dependent may elect continuation of dental coverage on a cash basis for up to 36 months. 
  
  
• Dependents who are between age 23 and 25 may be eligible to continue their health coverage through the end of the year they turn 25 on a Family Continuation Rider (FC Rider).  The FC Rider requires an employee contribution and to be eligible dependents must meet all the following requirements:
  
  
  • Be unmarried
  • Legally residing with you (unless a full-time student at an accredited college or university)
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico for some part of the calendar year in which your tax year began
  • Be primarily dependent on you (according to IRS definitions) for support and maintenance
  • Be a full-time student at an accredited college or university or the dependent must have gross income less than the personal exemption amount as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (IRC).

To sign your dependent up on an FC Rider, complete an Offline Enrollment\Change Form and provide a current class schedule if a full-time student or complete an Affidavit of Dependency if not a full-time student and meets the IRS Dependency Gross Income Test.

• Dependents who are over 19 and not eligible for Continuation Coverage may be eligible for coverage as a "sponsored dependent" if they meet all the following requirements:
  
  
  • Be related to you by blood, marriage, or legal adoption
  • Be members of your household
  • Be dependent on you for more than half of their support
  • Be a U.S. citizen or resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico for some part of the calendar year in which your tax year began

  You are responsible for paying the cost of coverage for each sponsored dependent.  Sponsored dependents are not eligible for dental, vision, or hearing coverage, if these are part of your coverage.  If your dependent is eligible for coverage as a sponsored dependent, you may enroll them by completing the Offline Enrollment\Change Form and Affidavit of Dependency.