Dependents

Eligible dependents

You may enroll the following dependents: 

• Your legal spouse
• Your state-registered domestic partner (SRDP)
  • This includes substantially equivalent legal unions from other jurisdictions.
  • Strict requirements apply to these partnerships, including that one partner is age 62 or older and you live in the same residence. 
• Children through the last day of the month in which they turn age 26, regardless of marital status, student status, or eligibility for coverage under another plan. This also includes children age 26 or older with a disability.

For legal definitions, refer to related laws and rules at the bottom of the page.

Definition of children

For our purposes, the definition of children includes:

• Children with whom you have a parent-child relationship, except when parental rights have been terminated.
• Children of your spouse or state-registered domestic partner with whom they have a parent-child relationship, except when parental rights have been terminated.
• Children you are legally required to support ahead of adoption.
• Children named in a court order or divorce decree for whom you are legally required to provide support or health care coverage.
• Children of any age with a developmental or physical disability who meet specific eligibility criteria described below.
• Extended dependents who meet specific eligibility criteria described below.

Extended dependents

Extended dependents may include a grandchild, niece, nephew, or other child for whom you, your spouse, or your state-registered domestic partner are legal custodians or legal guardians. The legal responsibility is demonstrated by a valid court order and the child’s official residence with the custodian or guardian.

Foster children are not extended dependents unless you, your spouse, or your SRDP are legally required to provide support ahead of adoption.

Children with disabilities

Eligible children include children of any age with a developmental or physical disability that leaves them incapable of self-sustaining employment and chiefly dependent upon the subscriber for support and ongoing care. Their condition must have occurred before they turned age 26.

When enrolling these dependents, you must provide proof of the disability, dependency, and proof the condition occurred before age 26. New subscribers must submit the PEBB Certification of a Child with a Disability within the 60-day enrollment period. 

If you have already enrolled a child with a disability and are changing to a medical plan administered by a different insurance carrier, you will need to submit a new PEBB Certification of a Child with a Disability, even if they were previously certified.

Surviving dependents eligibility

If you die, your dependents (a spouse, SRDP, or dependent child) may be eligible to enroll in or defer PEBB retiree insurance coverage as your survivor. Learn about their options.

Provide proof of dependent eligibility

Dependent verification is the process that requires you to submit documents proving their eligibility. This process ensures the PEBB Program only covers people who qualify. We will not enroll a dependent if we cannot verify their eligibility. We reserve the right to review eligibility at any time. 

There are two exceptions: 

• Extended dependent children are reviewed through a separate process. For details, download the PEBB Extended Dependent Certification.
• Dependents previously verified by the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program. This verification may be used when a subscriber and their dependent moves from SEBB Program coverage to PEBB Program coverage. 

When to provide dependent verification documents

You'll need to provide verification documents when enrolling a spouse, state-registered domestic partner, and children. 

Accepted documents

Birth certificates, adoption decrees, tax returns, and court ordered parenting plans are among the types of documents you can use to prove eligibility.

All documents must be submitted in English. Documents written in another language must include a translated copy prepared by a professional translator and certified with a notary public seal.

Upload your documents in Benefits 24/7 under the "Document upload" section, or submit your documents to the PEBB Program.

To enroll a spouse

Along with your enrollment forms, provide a copy of (choose one):

• The most recent year's federal tax return (black out financial information), either:
• A single return that lists your spouse if you filed jointly.
• Each return for you and your spouse if filed separately.
• A marriage certificate and proof that the marriage is still valid (you do not have to live together), such as a utility bill, life insurance beneficiary document, or bank statement, within the last six months showing both your and your spouse's name (black out any financial information). If within six months of marriage, only the certificate is required. Separate utility bills with the same address showing both your and your spouse's name on it may be provided for proof that the marriage is still valid.
• Petition for dissolution, petition for legal separation, or petition to invalidate (annul) marriage. Must be filed within the last six months.
• Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) registration
• Valid J-1 or J-2 visa issued by the U.S. Government

To enroll a state-registered domestic partner or partner of a legal union

Along with your enrollment forms and the PEBB Declaration of Tax Status (to indicate whether they qualify as a dependent for tax purposes), provide a copy of (choose one):

• Certificate/card of a state-registered domestic partnership or a legal union and proof the partnership is still valid (you do not have to live together), such as a utility bill, life insurance beneficiary document, or bank statement dated within the last six months showing both your and your partner's name (black out any financial information). If within six months of state registration, only the card is required. Separate utility bills with the same address showing both your and your partner's name on it may be provided for proof that the partnership is still valid.
• Petition to invalidate (annul) (recently filed, within the last six months) a state-registered domestic partnership.

If you are enrolling a partner of a legal union also provide:

• Proof of Washington State residency for both you and your partner.

Additional dependent verification documents will be required within one year of the partner's enrollment for them to remain enrolled. More information can be found in PEBB Program Administrative Policy 33-1.

To enroll children

Along with your enrollment forms, provide a copy of a (choose one):

• The most recent year's federal tax return that includes the child as a dependent (black out financial information)
  You can submit one copy of your tax return if it includes all family members that require verification.
• Birth certificate (or hospital certificate with the child's footprints on it) showing the name of the parent who is the subscriber, the subscriber's spouse, or the subscriber's state-registered domestic partner.
  If the dependent is the subscriber's stepchild, the subscriber must also verify the spouse or state-registered domestic partner in order to enroll the child, even if not enrolling the spouse or state-registered domestic partner in PEBB insurance coverage.
• Certificate or decree of adoption showing the name of the parent who is the subscriber, the subscriber's spouse, or the subscriber's state-registered domestic partner
• Court-ordered parenting plan
• National Medical Support Notice
• Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) registration
• Valid J-2 visa issued by the U.S. Government

Related laws and rules

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) are the official rules used for PEBB Program eligibility.

• RCW 26.26A.100: Establishment of parent-child relationship.
• RCW 26.60.020(1): Definition of state registered domestic partner.
• RCW 26.60.090: Legal union reciprocity with other jurisdictions.
• WAC 182-12-109: Definitions of terms used by the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB).
• WAC 182-12-260: Who are eligible dependents?