Benefits eligibility:

Full-time and part-time employees who work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for benefits.

Employees may enroll the following family members as dependents with their benefits.  Required legal documents must be on file with Human Resources before benefits for dependents are effective:

• Legal spouse (marriage license or declaration of informal marriage required)
• Children up to the age of 26 (birth certificate required)

Benefits enrollment:

Benefits enrollment for new hires, annual open enrollment and qualifying life events is completed online in ESS.

Annual open enrollment for benefits is during the month of October with an effective date of January 1.  All elections made during open enrollment remain in effect for the full calendar year unless you experience a qualifying life event, special enrollment period, or if changes for that benefit are permitted mid-year.

Qualifying life events (proof must be submitted to Human Resources):

To submit a life event, please access the Benefits page of your ESS and select “Report/View Life Events.”  You will then be directed to the Life Events webpage of ESS and will be required to enter the life event reason and effective date.  After your life event has been submitted, you will receive an email from ESS regarding the instructions for completing your life event enrollment in ESS.

• Birth and adoption of children (30 calendar day deadline)
• Change in marital status (30 calendar day deadline)
• Change in employment status (30 calendar day deadline)

Special enrollment period (proof must be submitted to Human Resources):

• Medicaid: coverage lost due to loss of eligibility or eligibility is gained (60 calendar day deadline)
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): coverage lost due to loss of eligibility or eligibility is gained (60 calendar day deadline)

Benefits that may be changed mid-year without a qualifying life event or special enrollment period:

• Deferred compensation
• Pre-paid legal and identity theft prevention
• Pet Insurance

For additional information, please reference the 2024 Employee Benefits Guide