Dependent Eligibility
Dependent children are only eligible to be included in your benefits plan within certain age ranges and under certain conditions.
- Health Plan
- NCFlex Benefits
- MetLife Group Term Life Insurance
- Taxes
Health Plan
Dependent children may be covered until age 19 or 26 if a full time student at an accredited school. Approximately 30 days prior to age 19 and years after, the State Health Plan will request verification of student status. If a student is no longer eligible, continuation of coverage information (COBRA) will be mailed from the State Health Plan.
Contact the Benefits Office at least 30 days prior to the dependent child's date of birth or graduation to ensure timely removal and adjustment of health premiums.
Note: A dependent who becomes ineligible through a change in status (reasons include no longer being a student, ages off a plan, etc.) must be reported by the employee to the Benefits Office within 30 days of the event. If a dependent is not removed from the State Health Plan (SHP) within 30 days of the change in status, the employee will not be reimbursed for any premiums paid after that month. Also, because the dependent was ineligible for SHP coverage, any claims paid after eligibility expired will be the responsibility of the employee.
NCFlex Benefits
Dependent children may be covered until age 19 (age 22 for the cancer plan) or 26 if a full time student. Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Accounts can be used for children up to the age of 13. Contact the University Benefits Office approximately 30 days prior to the child's birth date to adjust NCFlex benefits and/or spending account deduction amounts.
Children who lose dependent status due to age are eligible to continue most benefits through COBRA or portability provisions. COBRA materials will be sent to the home address and must be responded to in a timely manner to ensure continuation of coverage.
Visit the NCFlex web site for details on each benefit, and consult with your Benefits Consultant for instructions on making changes.
MetLife Group Term Life Insurance
Coverage is available for dependent children up to the age of 19 or 23 if a full time student. Coverage for dependent children who lose dependent status due to age may be converted to an individual policy.
Contact the Benefits Office to remove ineligible dependent children approximately 30 days prior to the date of ineligibility, and to request conversion information.
Taxes
Family status changes can lead to updating federal and/or state tax withholding exemptions. Visit the University Payroll web site to obtain withholding forms and to estimate tax liability.
