Domestic Partner Benefits and Ohio State Issue 1
The passage of state Issue 1, a ban on nontraditional marriages, in
Ohio's 2004 election will be far reaching. But
please know this: As a private university, Case's domestic
partner benefits are not affected by this constitutional
amendment. We remain steadfastly committed to respecting
all members of our community and according every
individual the same freedoms and rights, including
domestic partner benefits.
Our support for diversity on this campus--and, in particular, for our
members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender--is
unshaken by this vote. If anything, it warrants
a recommitment on all of our parts to ensuring
that the Case campus is open and welcoming to all.
This institution would like to express solidarity
to the state's public universities, a group bound by Issue 1. At Case Western Reserve University tolerance and respect
in our widely diverse culture is a core value, one we celebrate in many
ways. We are all privileged to live, work, and learn in this environment.
We must never take it for granted. We encourage all to look within yourselves
and search for ways to champion the defining values of diversity and
tolerance.
Domestic Partner Defined for Purpose of Health Benefits
Domestic Partners are defined as two individuals of the same or opposite
sex:
1. who are both 18 years of age or older and have
the capacity to enter into a
contract; and
2. who are involved in an exclusive, long-term,
and committed relationship; and
3. who have resided together in a common household
continuously for at least
six (6) consecutive months; and
4. who intend to reside together indefinitely;
and
5. who are not related by blood to a degree of
closeness which would prohibit
legal marriage in the State in which the partners
legally reside; and
6. who have agreed to be jointly responsible
for each other’s welfare, financial
obligations, and basic living expenses, including
food, shelter, and health care
expenses; and
7. who are not married, who are not currently involved
in any other domestic
partnership, and who have not been involved in
any other domestic
partnership or marriage for the last twelve (12)
months, unless that
partnership or marriage ended because of death.
Benefits
Case offers a comprehensive benefits program to all full-time and some
part-time employees that includes Benelect, post-tax
benefits, retirement, time off, education, personal
assistance, discount program, financial conveniences,
and recreation. Visit the program overview for
further details. Benefits are extended to dependent
children.
Please note that under federal and state
law, benefit coverage of the non-employee domestic
partner and his/her children, including tuition
waiver benefits, may result in taxable income
to the employee and is subject to income tax withholding
and applicable payroll taxes.
Domestic Partner benefits are available for students also.
More at: http://www.case.edu/finadmin/humres/benefits/
Student Coverage
Domestic Partner benefits are available for students also.
Case provides
an "optional dependent medical plan."
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
TO OBTAIN THIS COVERAGE?
1. The spouse or domestic partner of a covered
student residing with the covered student.
2. Newborn enrolled within
30 days of birth and residing with the covered
student.
3. Dependent
child/ren under the age of 19 years residing
with the covered student.
WHO
IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THIS COVERAGE?
1. Students
who are eligible for coverage under the
Case
Western Reserve University Medical Plan.
2. Employees
of Case who are eligible for Benelect.
Medical coverage for spouse, domestic partner, and dependent child/ren
may only be purchased if the student has purchased the Case Medical
Plan coverage for students.
MEDICAL PLAN FOR STUDENTS
How to Apply
In order to be eligible for Domestic Partner benefits, the employee
must complete an "Affidavit of Domestic
Partnership," and provide "Documentation of Domestic
Partnership" which must include:
1) An Acknowledgement of
Domestic Partnership Agreement, which acknowledges that an agreement exists between
myself and my domestic partner that creates personal and financial liability
and responsibility for each other’s welfare, financial obligations, and
basic living expenses,
including food, shelter, and health care expenses.
2) AND any two (2) of the following
as verification of the domestic partnership’s joint responsibility for each other’s
welfare, shared financial obligations and basic living expenses.
• Joint deed, joint mortgage
agreement, or joint lease
• Designation of the
domestic partner as primary beneficiary
for a life insurance contract or retirement
account
• Designation of domestic partner
as primary beneficiary of will
• Durable
power of attorney for health care or financial
management designating domestic partner as
power of attorney
• Joint
ownership of a motor vehicle
• Joint
checking account
• Joint credit
account
• Co-parenting or adoption
agreement
For further statements of eligibilty and rules download the
Affidavit of Domestic Partnership/Acknowledgment
of Domestic Partnership (PDF)
Other benefit forms can be downloaded at http://www.case.edu/finadmin/humres/policies/forms.html |
