Are my dependents eligible?

As a PEBB subscriber, you may be able to enroll your dependents on your PEBB coverage. The PEBB Program determines their eligibility based on PEBB Program rules once we receive your enrollment form and supporting documents. (Refer to Related laws and rules at the bottom of this page.)

On this page

Who is eligible?

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 this page.

Provide proof of dependent eligibility

When you enroll eligible dependents, you may be required to provide proof of their eligibility. Visit Verify and enroll dependents for more information: employees, retirees, or PEBB Continuation Coverage members.

How are children defined?

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 employees must submit the PEBB Certification of a Child with a Disability within the 31-day enrollment period. 

If you have already enrolled a child with a disability and are changed 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 to your new medical plan, even if they were previously certified.

Surviving dependents eligibility

If you die, your dependents (a spouse, SRDP, or dependent child) will lose their eligibility for the employer-contribution toward PEBB benefits. They may be eligible to enroll or defer enrollment in PEBB retiree insurance coverage as your survivor. Learn about their options.

Related laws and rules

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