Are my dependents eligible?

As a SEBB subscriber you may be able to enroll your dependents on your SEBB coverage. The SEBB Program determines their eligibility based on SEBB Program rules once you enroll them in Benefits 24/7 or your payroll or benefits office receives 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 states or countries.
    • Strict requirements apply to these partnerships, including that one partner is age 62 or older and you live in the same residence.
  • Your 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 with a disability.

(For legal definitions, refer to Related laws and rules at the bottom of this page.)

When you enroll your dependents, you may be required to provide proof of their eligibility. Visit Verify and enroll my dependents for more information.

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 (SRDP) 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 specified eligibility criteria described below.
  • Extended dependent children who meet specified eligibility criteria described below.

Eligible extended dependents

Extended dependents may include a grandchild, niece, nephew, or other child for whom you, your spouse, or your SRDP 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.

Eligible children with disabilities age 26 and older

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. 

If you have already enrolled a child with a disability and are change to a medical plan administered by a different carrier (for example Kaiser Permanente, Premera, or UMP), you will need to submit a new SEBB 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 SEBB benefits. They may be eligible to enroll or defer enrollment in PEBB retiree insurance coverage as your survivor. Learn more about survivor eligibility.

Related laws and rules

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

Related forms and publications

Related links