Benefits for Dependents
Benefits-eligible employees may cover their eligible dependents in medical, prescription, dental, vision and life insurance benefits, as well as other benefit programs.
Documentation is required when adding dependents to your coverage. Supporting documentation that proves your relationship must be submitted within 30 days of their enrollment date, or they will be removed from your coverage. View the Uploading Supporting Documents in Workday System Guide [pdf] for instructions.
On this page: Eligible Dependents | Dependent Children | Domestic Partners | Dependent Eligibility Documentation
Eligible Dependents
- Your spouse or registered domestic partner,
- Your children, defined as any one or more of the following:
- natural born children
- stepchildren
- legally-adopted children
- children of your registered domestic partner whom you can claim as your dependent on your U.S. federal income tax return for U.S. federal income tax purposes
- children for whom you, your spouse or domestic partner serve as legal guardian
- children for whom coverage is mandated by a qualified medical child support order
Dependent Children
Age Limit for Children
Children may be covered under the medical, prescription, dental, vision and dependent life insurance benefits until the end of the month of their 26th birthday.
Disabled Dependents
An unmarried dependent child age 26 or older who, except for his or her age, would otherwise qualify for coverage as specified above and who meets all of the following criteria continues to be eligible for coverage:
- the child is incapable of self-sustaining employment due to a mental or physical handicap, as certified by a licensed physician;
- the child became mentally or physically handicapped prior to age 26; and
- the child continues to be claimed as your dependent on your U.S. federal income tax return for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Domestic Partners
Carnegie Mellon extends benefits to same- and opposite-sex partners of employees who meet certain eligibility criteria. For the purpose of receiving coverage under the employee's benefit plans, Carnegie Mellon defines a domestic partnership as a relationship between a Carnegie Mellon employee and another individual that meets the following criteria:
- Both parties are 18 years of age or older and are able to contract at time of registration.
- Neither party is legally married to nor the domestic partner of any other person.
- The parties are not related by blood to a degree that would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- The relationship has been entered into voluntarily, willingly and without reservation.
- The partners have been in a committed relationship as a couple for at least twelve continuous months prior to registration of the domestic partner relationship. The relationship is intended to continue indefinitely.
- The relationship includes mutual support, mutual caring and commitment, and mutual responsibility for each other's welfare in the nature of a domestic partner relationship.
Registering a Domestic Partnership
The Domestic Partner Registration Packet [pdf] contains eligibility guidelines and information about the benefits and tax consequences of Domestic Partner benefits. Take special note of the tax consequences of enrolling a domestic partner who cannot be claimed as a dependent on your federal income tax return. The packet also contains the documents required to initiate or terminate a partnership and enroll the partner in benefits.
- Domestic Partner Certification for Dependent Tax Status
- Registration Statement of Domestic Partnership for Insurance Benefits
- Termination Statement of Domestic Partnership
In addition to the Registration Statement, documentation is required for verification of a domestic partnership. Request registration and provide documentation for a domestic partner through Workday. Provide supporting documentation for at least three of the following circumstances:
- Joint lease, deed or mortgage agreement
- Designation by the employee of the other party as primary beneficiary on a life insurance policy or retirement contract
- Designation of the other party as the primary beneficiary in the employee's will
- Durable power of attorney for property or health care issues granted to the other
- Joint ownership of a motor vehicle, joint checking account or joint credit account
- Mutual legal responsibility for the care of a child
Dependent Eligibility Documentation
|
Dependent's Relationship to You |
Age Limit | Required Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | N/A | Marriage certificate |
| Registered domestic partner | N/A | Registration Statement for Domestic Partnership and three verification documents outlined in the Domestic Partnership Packet [pdf] |
| Biological child(ren) | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Birth certificate |
| Stepchild(ren) | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Birth certificate and marriage certificate |
| Adopted child(ren) | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Final adoption decree or placement letter from court or adoption agency for pending adoption(s) and related legal document that establishes birth date |
| Foster child(ren) | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Court assignment or agency order establishing relationship or proof of state licensing or approval of foster children status and related legal document that establishes birth date |
| Child(ren) for whom you are a legal guardian | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Court assignment or agency order establishing legal guardianship and related legal documents that establish relationship and birth date |
| Child(ren) of your registered domestic partner, who depend on your support and live with you in a regular parent/child relationship | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Registration Statement for Domestic Partnership and three verification documents outlined in the Domestic Partnership Packet [pdf] and birth certificate and Domestic Partner Certification for Dependent Tax Status |
| Adopted Child(ren) of your registered domestic partner, who depend on your support and live with you in a regular parent/child relationship | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Registration Statement for Domestic Partnership and three verification documents outlined in the Domestic Partnership Packet [pdf] and birth certificate or final adoption decree or placement letter from court or adoption agency for pending adoptions and Domestic Partner Certification for Dependent Tax Status |
| Child(ren) for whom your registered domestic partner is the legal guardian | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | Registration Statement for Domestic Partnership and three verification documents outlined in the Domestic Partnership Packet [pdf] and Birth certificate and Court assignment or Agency order establishing legal guardianship and Domestic Partner Certification for Dependent Tax Status |
| Child(ren) for whom the court has issued a Qualified Medical Child Support Order | Medical, Dental, Vision, Dependent Life: to age 26 | If support order has already been sent to the Office of Human Resources, indicate to whom it was sent |
| Unmarried children dependent on you for primary financial support and maintenance due to a physical or mental disability, incapable of selfsupport, and disability existed before age 26 | N/A | Birth certificate or other document supporting the relationship and proof of the disability from your child's medical plan; your medical carrier determines the child's disability status |