The Shamong Township School District is pleased to extend health benefits to eligible, full-time employees and dependents. Eligible dependents are your spouse, civil union partner, eligible same-sex domestic partner, or your eligible children (this can include natural children under age 26 regardless of marital, student, or financial dependency status, stepchildren, foster children, and those in a guardian ward relationship). Supporting documention is required for enrollment.

Waiting Period for New Hires

There is a waiting period for new hires before health benefits are effective:

**10-month full-time employees with start date of September 1: no waiting period applies; health benefits are effective on September 1.

**10-month full-time employees with start date other than September 1: health benefits are effective on the first day of the month following one month of employment (e.g., for a start date of September 15, coverage is effective November 1).

**12-month full-time employees: health benefits are effective on the first day of the month following one month of employment (e.g., for a start date of September 15, coverage is effective November 1).

For more information contact the Business Office.

Dependent Coverage

The Affordable Care Act allows for medical and prescription drug coverage for eligible child dependents until:

**Medical/prescription coverage: the end of the year in which he/she turns age 26.
**Dental coverage: either 1) the end of the month in which he/she turns age 19, or
2) the end of the month in which he/she turns age 23 if a full-time student.

When your child is about to age out of the medical, prescription, or dental plans, it is important that you notify the Business Office to learn about continuing coverage options like:

COBRA
ACA Marketplace
New Jersey Chapter 375

Life Events and Benefit Changes

Qualifying life events (such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, adoption, or loss of other coverage) allows you to adjust your benefit elections. To be eligible for this special enrollment opportunity, you must request the change within 31 days of the qualifying event (within 60 days for the birth of a child). Learn more in your plan materials.