Certain major life events — like getting married, having a child or losing other health coverage — qualify you to update your benefits elections outside of the regular open enrollment period. If you experience a qualifying event, you must notify the Office of Human Resources and submit the necessary forms within 30 days to make changes to your benefits.

What Counts as a Qualifying Event?

Only specific events qualify employees to make mid-year changes to their benefits. Below are examples of qualifying events:

  • Legal marriage, legal separation, divorce or death
  • Change in domestic partner status
  • Gain or loss of an eligible dependent for reasons such as birth, legal adoption, placement for adoption, foster or death
  • Dependent satisfies or no longer satisfies eligibility requirements for reasons such as reaching the dependent child age limit
  • Changes in the legal spouse’s or domestic partner’s employment affecting benefits eligibility
  • Changes in the legal spouse’s or domestic partner’s benefits coverage with another employer that affects benefits eligibility
  • Change in employee work status affecting benefits eligibility
  • The employee enters and/or is discharged from military service
  • Eligibility for enrollment in Medicare/Medicaid
  • Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) eligible

How to Make a Life Status Change

If you experience a qualifying event, follow these steps to update your benefits:

  • Notify the Office of Human Resources within 30 days of the event.
  • Complete and submit the appropriate Life Status Change forms.
  • Provide any required supporting documentation (such as marriage or birth certificates).

Forms and Documents

Need Help?

If you have questions about what qualifies as a life event, how to complete your paperwork, or need forms in an accessible format, please contact the Office of Human Resources.