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Domestic Partners - Programs that Exclude Eligibility
Ineligible Benefits Programs
Benefits
Description
Health Insurance
Employees cannot enroll a same-sex domestic partner as a family member and include the partner under a Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program (FEHB) major medical and prescription insurance policy.
Dental and Vision Insurance
Employees cannot enroll a same-sex domestic partner under the optional Federal dental and vision program, through a Self Plus-One or Self and Family enrollment.
Life Insurance
Employees cannot designate a same-sex domestic partner for coverage under Option C of the Federal Employee Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI).
Family and Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides for some job protections separate from the typical paid leave system (under the Annual and Sick Leave Act of 1951), does not cover care for a same-sex domestic partner.
CSRS Survivor Annuity
For current employees covered under CSRS, a same-sex domestic partner cannot receive a monthly survivor annuity (provided to current or former spouses) if he or she dies after having completed 18 months of service.
FERS Survivor Annuity
For current employees covered under FERS, a same-sex domestic partner cannot receive the Basic Death Benefit (after completion of 18 months of service) or the monthly survivor annuity (after completion of 10 years of service), since these benefits are limited to widows and widowers, as currently defined under Federal law.