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Dependent Eligibility and Documentation Requirements

You have 45 days from your hire date to enroll eligible dependents. If you are an employee with more than 45 days of service, you may begin, change or cancel your medical, dental or vision coverage during a Life Status Change Event as defined by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code and allowed by our plan. The birth of a child, adoption, marriage, divorce, and deaths are some examples of Life Status Change Events. You have only 30 days from the date of the Life Status Change Event to make changes.

If both you and your spouse/other eligible person are employed by Wayne State University, neither you nor your spouse/OEP can be covered as both an employee and a dependent under any of the Wayne State University benefit plans. Additionally, any eligible dependents of yours or your spouse/OEP cannot be covered by both parties under any of the WSU benefit plans.

Relationship Eligibility Requirements Documentation to Submit
Legal Spouse Legal spouse of the employee

Employee's most current year's filed federal income tax return Form 1040 – the first page only (financial information should be blacked out).

For marriages occurring in 2022 & 2023 only: a copy of marriage certificate is required
Other Eligible Person (OEP)

A person who is:

  • An adult, age 26 or older; and
  • Currently resides in the same residence as the employee and has done so for 18 continuous months prior to the individual's enrollment, other than as a tenant; and
  • Not a dependent of the employee as defined by the IRS; and
  • Not related by blood or marriage.

BOTH of the following documents:

  • Proof of Joint Obligation (for the last 18 months) Examples include:
    • A mortgage statement;
    • Bank statement;
    • Property bill;
    • Monthly bill from a rental/lease agreement

AND

  • Copy of Driver's License or State ID Card - must reflect the same address as WSU employee.
Children Under age 26
  • Child(ren) by birth;
  • Stepchild(ren);
  • Legally adopted child(ren) or child(ren) placed in your home for final adoption;
  • Child(ren) under legal guardianship;
  • Child of OEP

ONE of the following documents:

  • Birth certificate listing parents or adoption paperwork issued by a State or County; or
  • Employee's most current year's filed federal income tax return Form 1040 – the first page only listing the dependent children (financial information should be blacked out); or
  • Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO) which requires child support for benefit coverage; or
  • Court paperwork for legal guardianship.
Principally Supported Children Under age 26

A child who is:

  • Not the employee's child by birth or marriage; and
  • Related to the employee by blood or marriage; and
  • Claimed as a dependent of the employee on their most recent income tax return.
 Employee's most current year's filed federal income tax return Form 1040 – the first page only (financial information should be blacked out).
Disabled Children Over age 26 An unmarried child who became disabled before reaching age 26 and is incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of mental or physical handicap.

BOTH of the following documents:

  • The required documentation for a child UNDER age 26 listed above;

AND

  • Any documentation verifying a permanent disability that began before the child attained age 26.
Sponsored Dependent Over 26

An adult who is:

  • Dependent on the employee's financial support; and
  • Claimed as a dependent of the employee on their most recent income tax return; and
  • Resides with the employee permanently.
 Employee's most current year's filed federal income tax return Form 1040 – the first page only (financial information should be blacked out).