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PEBB Announces Changes to Domestic Partner Eligibility

For Immediate Release: 07/17/2007
Contact: 1-800--200-1004

There are two new changes to domestic partner eligibility:

1. The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) expanded domestic partner eligibility to include domestic partners who are barred from marriage. This changes the eligibility criteria on PEBB's declaration form and includes partners who are transgender.
2. Beginning July 23, 2007, the Secretary of State's Office will accept applications for a domestic partner registry for same-sex and certain opposite-sex domestic partnerships. Domestic partners who meet the registry's criteria will receive a Certificate of State Registered Domestic Partnership. By law, the PEBB program will accept the certificates only for same-sex partnerships as proof for PEBB eligibility criteria.

The domestic partnership criteria in PEBB's declaration form differ from the Secretary of State's registry. We will accept partnerships that meet either or both criteria.

Washington Secretary of State's Office
Source: 2007 legislation, Senate Substitute Bill 5336, which became law.

When can I enroll my qualified domestic partner?

Since the PEB Board and the Legislature created this new eligibility mid-year, you may add your qualified domestic partner through the end of 2007 as a special enrollment period.

Starting January 1, 2008, you may add your qualified domestic partner within 60 days of establishment of the partnership, loss of other coverage, or during the annual open enrollment (see 182-12-128 WAC).

• To enroll using the PEBB Declaration form: Qualified domestic partners may enroll now using the revised PEBB criteria and documentation.
• To enroll using the Secretary of State Certificate: Qualified same-sex domestic partners who register with the Secretary of State may enroll in PEBB coverage once they have a certificate or registration card.

You can find more information on PEBB domestic partner eligibility in our Info Center.