Entering Actions that Trigger COBRA Eligibility for Dependents

A dependent’s eligibility for COBRA is triggered by the same personnel action update as the employee if the qualifying events are related to a COBRA flagged personnel action. If, however, the qualifying events are not related to one of these personnel actions, the dependents’ COBRA eligibility must be triggered individually. Non-personnel action related qualifying events include activities such as divorce, separation, or the birth date of a dependent that marks the end of COBRA eligibility.

To enter a dependent related activity, access the Dependent Profile (DPND) page of the Benefits Administration (BA) activity folder and perform the following steps:

  1. Select the appropriate employee from the grid that appears atop the Benefits Administration (BA) activity folder header page. Result: Details pertaining to the selected employee appear in the fields on the lower portion of the page.

  2. Select Dependent Profile from the secondary navigation panel. Result: The page is updated and features a grid listing the dependents of the specified employee. 

  3. From the grid, select the line representing the dependent whose data you wish to modify.

  4. Select Modify Dependent Profile. Result: The Dependent Profile (DPND) page is displayed and the specified line of dependent data is carried forward to the grid appearing on this page.

  5. From the grid, select the line representing the dependent data that you want to modify. Result: Details pertaining to the selected line appear in the fields on the lower portion of the page.

  6. In the Dependent Information section, enter the divorce or separation date of a spouse to trigger COBRA coverage.  

  7. Select Validate to make certain that your changes are correct.

  8. Select Submit to record your changes to the employee’s dependent data in the system.

  9. Select Close to exit the Dependent Profile (DPND) page and return to the Benefits Administration (BA) activity folder.