Benefits
The definition of “dependent” for University benefits and privileges. Programs for a healthy and productive workforce.
401 - Dependent Coverage
Section: U401
Date: January 1, 2010
PURPOSE:
To communicate the definition of “dependent” for University benefits and privileges.
POLICY:
Dependents of University staff employees may be eligible for medical and dental benefits, educational assistance, and other University benefits and privileges. Staff employees have a responsibility to inform the Benefits Office within thirty-one (31) days of any change in the status of their dependents which may affect their eligibility.
GUIDELINES:
- This policy applies to benefits-eligible staff employees. For the purpose of determining eligibility for all University benefits, a “dependent” is defined as follows:
- spouse; and
- domestic partner, when a Statement of Domestic Partnership has been filed with and approved by the benefits Office; and
- child/children.
- For medical and dental benefits only, the term “child” is defined as:
- unmarried natural or adopted dependent son or daughter under age 26 of a staff employee, spouse of a staff employee, or domestic partner of a staff employee; and
- son or daughter over the age 26 who is dependent on a staff employee, spouse of a staff employee, or domestic partner of a staff employee for support due to mental or physical disability (providing that he/she was covered continuously by the plan prior to and beyond age 26.
- For the purposes of educational assistance and all other University benefits, the term “child” is defined as:
- unmarried natural or adopted son or daughter, stepson or stepdaughter, or the unmarried natural or adopted son or daughter of the domestic partner of a staff employee, or child for whom a staff employee is a legal guardian. In all cases, the child must be claimed as a dependent of the employee for federal income tax purposes.
- Parents, foster children, grandchildren, ex-spouses and ex-domestic partners are not dependents under this policy.
- In the event of a divorce or termination of domestic partnership (as certified by a Statement of Termination of Domestic Partnership), a staff employee’s ex-spouse or ex-domestic partner is eligible for continuation of medical and dental benefits for a period of thirty-six (36) months.
- In the event of a divorce or termination of domestic partnership, a staff employee’s ex-spouse or ex-domestic partner is no longer eligible for educational assistance benefits, library privileges, a recreational facilities pass, staff housing, and any other benefit afforded dependents of staff employees not expressly provided above.
Employees represented by a bargaining unit may be governed by the appropriate bargaining unit agreement.
402 - Counseling Service/Staff and Faculty Assistance Program
Section: U402
Date: July 16, 2004
PURPOSE:
To ensure a healthy and productive workforce.
POLICY:
The University has contracted with an Employee Assistance Program provider to assist employees, retirees, and their families with a variety of personal matters including drug and alcohol abuse, stress, emotional difficulties, bereavement, family/personal concerns, financial counseling, and job-related issues.
GUIDELINES:
- An employee may utilize the Staff and Faculty Assistance Program (SFAP) in one of two ways:
- Self-referral: An employee may seek assistance on his/her own.
- Supervisory and/or management referral: A supervisor may recommend an employee’s participation when attendance, job performance or work habits are affected by personal matters.
- A department should consult with the Office of Employee/Labor Relations (E/LR) prior to making a supervisory referral when performance issues manifest, when drug or alcohol use are suspected or when a last-chance agreement is in place.
- A department may contact the Program to provide guidance and assistance to employees when a major event has affected a work unit (e.g., death of a coworker, departmental emergency, etc.)
Employees represented by a bargaining unit may be governed by the appropriate bargaining unit agreement.