What happens when I get married or gain a common-law spouse?
Spouse is defined as the person legally married to the member or a person of the opposite or same sex who has been residing with the member in a common-law relationship for an amount of time as specified in the My Benefits section of this website and who is publicly represented as the member’s spouse.
Employees can enroll only one spouse in the PEBT benefits program:
- A legal spouse
- A common-law spouse
- An estranged spouse (separated)
- An ex-spouse (divorced)*
*Please note that an ex-spouse can only be covered if the divorce papers specifically direct the member to continue coverage for the ex-spouse under the member’s plan with their employer. If the court order directs the member to provide benefits coverage for their spouse, the member will need to make separate arrangements for an individual plan for the ex-spouse.
If you are adding a spouse to the PEBT Benefits Plan, the following steps must be taken:
- You have four months to enroll a new spouse in your extended health and dental plans due to marriage or completing the co-habitation requirement for common law spouses.
- You must complete the PEBT Benefits Change Form and provide the form to the School District Benefits Administrator.
- To add a common-law spouse, the Common Law Spouse Declaration Form must also be completed and provided to the School District Benefits Administrator.
- You can only enroll one spouse in your benefits plans.
