WHAT IS A DOMESTIC PARTNER?
Also known as a "spousal equivalent," a domestic partner is a person of the same or opposite sex with whom an employee has a long-term intimate and committed relationship. Both parties must be 18 years of age, competent to contract and be each other's only mate. Neither partner can be married to anyone else and cannot be blood-related to the degree that legally prohibits marriage. Domestic partners must live together at the same permanent residence, be jointly responsible for each other’s common welfare, and be financially interdependent.
QUALIFICATIONS
In order to qualify for benefits, you must be benefit eligible, satisfy certain criteria and have been in the relationship for six continuous months or more. The employee must not have signed a domestic partner affidavit with any other partner within the last six months. Both you and your partner would need to complete an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership to this effect and be able to provide proof of a financially interdependent relationship such as a joint bank account, joint lease or mortgage or joint ownership of property.
BENEFITS AVAILABLE
Benefits included are health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance.
COST OF COVERAGE
The cost for health and dental insurance will be consistent with our current employee/spouse or family rates; however, because domestic partners are not recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, the weekly deductions for domestic partners and their children must be taken on a post-tax basis. If you currently carry pretax benefits for your children, that portion of the benefits would remain pretax.