At a glance
Your coverage doesn’t just switch off — what happens next depends on why it’s changing. If it’s your own job ending, your benefits end on your last day of work, with options to continue or convert coverage. If it’s your spouse or domestic partner’s job, their coverage loss is what allows you to add them (and your family) to your Company benefits. Follow the journey below.
The 30-day rule.
Your spouse or domestic partner losing their job — and their own benefits coverage or your family coverage — is a qualifying life event. It gives you a 30‑day window from the date their coverage ends to update your own benefits. Report a life event and make elections by logging in to the LSC Benefits Center or calling 888‑681‑2241 (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. CT). When you submit your updates and the appropriate documentation by the deadline, your new coverage will begin retroactively to the date of the life event.
Job loss in your household
Lean on free counseling during a sudden job loss. When a spouse loses their job, the shock and stress can hit your whole household — and the EAP gives each family member up to six free counseling sessions per person, per event, per year. You don’t need to be enrolled in an LSC Medical Plan to use it, and support is available 24/7.
Your spouse losing job-based coverage is a qualifying life event — it’s what lets you update your benefit elections outside of Annual Enrollment. To update your benefits, you must provide documentation verifying loss of coverage. You’ll need a COBRA notice or a letter on company letterhead stating the coverage lost, who lost coverage, and the coverage end date. You have 30 days from the date they lost coverage to make changes. Log in to the LSC Benefits Center or call 888-681-2241 (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. CT).
If you update your coverage and the appropriate documentation by the deadline, your new coverage starts on the day of the life event.
Add your dependents
Eligible dependents include your legal spouse, common-law spouse (in states that recognize it), or domestic partner, plus children and stepchildren up to age 26.
Documentation is required to verify dependent relationships. Submit the required documents for everyone you’re adding within 30 days of submitting your elections — you’ll also need their full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. If documentation isn’t received on time, they won’t be added to your benefits, and your next chance is Annual Enrollment or another qualifying life event.
Review your coverage
Now’s a good time to review your other benefits, too — from your Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Accounts (to make sure your contribution level still fits your household) to your Life & AD&D and 401(k) contributions.
Support for tough times
Talk to the EAP. Free, confidential support, including Legal & Financial Services for a confidential conversation with a financial expert, is available 24/7 for you and your household, no enrollment required.
Or talk on your own schedule. Talkspace connects you with a licensed counselor from your phone or laptop, whenever and wherever works for you; dependents aged 13+ can use it too. (enter: LSC Communications)
Keep this handy through every step
Report the life event within 30 days
Submit documentation showing proof of life event
Submit dependent verification documents within 30 days of enrolling in coverage
Review your HSA/FSA contributions and beneficiaries
The EAP and Talkspace are free and available 24/7 to all household members
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