As your children reach college and university age, it can be tough to know precisely when they’re considered “adults on their own” and when they’re still your dependents – under your benefits plan.

Most children choose to stay on their parents’ plans for as long as possible. If this is the case for your children, remember that it is essential that you fill out the proper paperwork to ensure there are no gaps in coverage.

How long can your child be a dependent on your plan?

For the most part, “dependent post-secondary students” can be on your health care plan; however, each benefits plan has a different definition of what a “dependent post-secondary student” exactly is. Generally speaking, they must be enrolled full-time at a recognized post-secondary institution and under your support and under the age of 25.

What forms are required?

Your adult child is not automatically kept on your benefits plan, even if they just recently turned 19. You need to ensure you complete the required form which includes proof of post-secondary student status. This status is sometimes required each school term, so multiple times a year. Contact a Benecaid Customer Care team member for more information or help identifying what to send in.

The forms will require that you fill out all pertinent personal information for yourself and your full-time student son or daughter: full name, address, date of birth, etc. On your portion of the form, you’ll need to include your plan name and number as well. Your child’s beginning and ending dates for school will also need to be included, and you’ll need to sign and date the document as the plan member. In some cases, proof of your child’s enrollment must also be provided – typically this is done using a form that your child can download from their university or college portal, or pick up from the administrative offices.

Incidentally, if you are choosing to terminate over-age student coverage, the same form generally needs to be filled out. Naturally, the main difference is that you’ll be filling out the portion of the form dedicated to terminating plan membership. This is for dependent children who may have ended their studies or are finished with their studies and graduated. In some cases, students prefer to have their own benefits plan through their college or university.

The important thing to remember is that you must fill out these forms by the deadline which differs for each benefits provider. Your dependent child will not be included under your health coverage plan until you have filled out and submitted the pertinent forms and until they have been fully received by your provider. It may take up to four weeks for your forms to be processed if you have to send them in in hardcopy, so bear this in mind.

Where can you find help

When it comes to keeping your college-aged children on your benefits plan, the process of filling out the required forms and ensuring that all loose ends are tied can be arduous. The Benecaid Customer Care team is here to help – you can contact them by phone, email or text message!