Disabled Dependent Certification

Dependent Disability Certification

A dependent that is over the age of 26 and is totally and permanently disabled (physically or mentally) may be covered on your medical and/or dental insurance. The dependent must be claimed on the employee’s or retiree’s federal tax return; and enrolled in and receiving Medicare disability benefits or enrolled in and receiving Social Security benefits due to disability.

Eligibility

• An unmarried child that is totally and permanently disabled may be covered on your medical and/or dental insurance.
• The disability must have existed before the child turned age 26; while they were an eligible dependent or while they were an eligible full-time student. 
• If the disabled dependent is age 29 or older, a copy of the dependent’s Social Security Administration Benefit Verification Letter will be required.

Enrollment

To enroll your unmarried, over the age of 26, disabled dependent in medical and/or dental insurance, please return the following to your HRA within 30 calendar days from the life event:

• Completed Disabled Dependent Certification (231.69 KB) .pdf
• Submit one of these documents:
  • A copy of the dependent’s Social Security Administration Benefit Verification Letter that is dated within the past 12 months
  • A copy of the dependent’s Medicare card (front and back)
• If your disabled dependent qualifies as your dependent for federal income tax purposes, documentation is required. See Tax Consequences below.

Documentation must be submitted annually for your disabled dependent to be enrolled in medical and/or dental insurance. 

Tax Consequences:

Only certain individuals, other than yourself and your spouse, may receive medical and/or dental insurance on a tax-favored basis. For additional information about tax consequences, refer to Tax Treatment of Health and Dental Insurance. If you have any questions, contact your tax advisor or your HRA.

• If your disabled dependent qualifies as your dependent for federal income tax purposes, documentation is required. Submit a copy of your Form 1040 from your prior year’s federal tax return with your dependent’s name listed. Sensitive information can be redacted.
• If your disabled dependent does not qualify as your tax dependent, per the IRS, you will be taxed on the fair market value for the dependent’s coverage. This excess value will be included in your gross income.

Important:

Once coverage has started, you will not be able to make a change to your benefits until the next open enrollment, unless your disabled dependent experiences a qualifying life event. If at any time during the year, your dependent is no longer considered totally or permanently disabled or gets married, they will no longer be eligible to remain covered on your medical and/or dental insurance. It is your responsibility to notify your HRA in writing within 30 calendar days.

If you have any questions, please contact your Human Resources Associate (HRA).

The Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise is providing this information about the State of Iowa’s benefits. The information on this web page is subject to change. Nothing herein shall be construed as a guarantee of benefits. This webpage is not a complete description of the State of Iowa’s benefit plans. Nothing on this web page supersedes or changes any of the terms and conditions of any plan documents, insurance policies, or other legal agreements. If the wording in this web page contradicts any plan documents, laws, regulations, administrative rules, insurance policies, or other legal agreements, the wording in the official documents and agreements will govern.