Overview
If you add a new child to your family as a legal ward, you are eligible to add the child to most of your current benefit plans. You may also be able to enroll in certain benefit plans that offer an open enrollment due to the addition of a new child to your family.
Eligibility Deadline
The completed application(s) must submitted within 30 days of Legal Guardianship. Applications are required for all benefits that are being updated/changed.
All enrollment periods begin on the date legal guardianship is granted (must be granted before child is 19 years old).
Beneficiary Designation
You should review and update your Beneficiary Designation(s) with each Qualifying Life Event.
Tax Withholding
Review and update your tax withholding exemptions, if necessary.
State Group Health, Supplemental Delta Dental and DeltaVision
You may add the new child to your existing coverage within 60 days of the date the child becomes your legal ward. Coverage will be effective on the date that a court awards permanent legal guardianship to you (or your spouse).
Life Insurance
State Group Life (SGL)
You may take the following actions within 30 days of the date that a court awards permanent legal guardianship to you (or your spouse):
- Enroll in Basic coverage (if not currently enrolled)
- Add one unit of employee coverage (if not already enrolled in maximum number of units)
- Enroll in one or two units of Spouse/Dependent coverage
- If already enrolled, newly eligible children are automatically covered (does not require an application)
Coverage is effective on the first of the month on or following 30 days from the date that a court awards permanent legal guardianship to you (the subscriber or your spouse).
Review and update your beneficiary designation, if necessary.
Individual & Family Group Term. Life (I&F)
Legal wards are not eligible for coverage under this plan.
Review and update your beneficiary designation, if necessary.
UW Employees, Inc Life (UWE) and University Insurance Association (UIA) Life
These plans offer employee-only coverage and there is no enrollment opportunity upon the addition of a child to your family.
Review and update your beneficiary designation, if necessary.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
You may enroll in Employee Only or Family coverage at any time. If enrolled in Family coverage, newly eligible children are automatically covered (does not require an application).
Coverage is effective on the first of the month on or following 30 days from the date that a court awards permanent legal guardianship to you (the subscriber or your spouse or domestic partner).
Review and update your beneficiary designation, if necessary.
Income Continuation Insurance (ICI)
This plan offers employee-only coverage and there is no enrollment opportunity upon the addition of a child to your family.
Spending & Savings Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
You may take the following actions within 30 days of the date the legal guardianship is granted. Action must be consistent with the qualifying event.
- Enroll in a Health Care and/or Dependent Day Care FSA
- Increase your Health Care and/or Dependent Day Care FSA election (if already enrolled).
You must submit a Change of Election form to your HR Contact to enroll in or change your election under one or both of the plans. If you enroll, coverage is effective the first of the month following the date a court awards permanent legal guardianship.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
You can make changes to your contributions at any time.
Review and update your beneficiary designation, if necessary.
Retirement Plans
Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
Review and update your beneficiary designation, if necessary.
UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP) and Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (WDC)
You can enroll in or make changes at any time.
Review and update your beneficiary designation, if necessary.