Benefits Brief

Navigating the resources available for adult children incapable of self-support can be a daunting task. Here are some of the basics.

Your child’s earnings, condition and prognosis will be taken into consideration when determining whether your child is incapable of self-support. The equivalent of the GS 5, step 1 is generally considered an income for someone capable of self-support; however, it isn’t the only factor. Employing offices make the determination for employees and place the documentation in your Official Personnel Folder (or equivalent), while the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) makes the determination for retirees. The determination may be permanent or conditional.

• Doctor’s signature. • Doctor’s office address. • Adult child’s full name. • Statement that the child is incapable of self-support because of physical or mental disability. • Type of disability. • How long the disability has existed. • The disability’s expected future course and duration (must show disability is expected to continue for more than one year).

Upon the death of a federal employee or retiree covered under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal

(FERS), there is a monthly children’s survivor benefit available at no cost to you for unmarried disabled dependent children who are incapable of self-support (if the disability occurred before age 18). Under FERS, the benefit payable to any child of the deceased employee or retiree is reduced (offset) by the total amount of any Social Security survivor benefit payable to all children based on the Social Security earnings of the deceased. In many cases, the FERS benefit is reduced to $0. This benefit is provided by law, and employees/ retirees do not need to elect it. More information: www.opm.gov/ retirement-services/publicationsforms/csrsfers-handbook/c073.pdf.

An adult child who is incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability that existed before the child reached age 26 may remain covered under the parent’s Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. More information: www.opm.gov/ healthcare-insurance/healthcare/ reference-materials/reference/ family-members/.

An adult child who is incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability that existed before the child reached age 22 may remain covered under the parent’s Federal Employees

Program (FEDVIP) plan. Your agency or OPM must contact BENEFEDS within 60 days of your child’s enrollment or 22nd birthday (if already enrolled) to confirm eligibility. Additional information is available at www. benefeds.com/education-support/ eligibility-fed.

Option C (family coverage) includes coverage for children who are unmarried and incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before the child reached age 22. More information: www. opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/ life-insurance/referencematerials/publications-forms/ feglihandbook.pdf.

Generally, anyone you claim as a dependent on your tax return would be covered in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). FSAs are only available to employees. More information: www.opm.gov/ healthcare-insurance/flexiblespending-accounts/referencematerials/fedflex.pdf.

Children age 18 and older of living employees and retirees may apply for long-term care insurance through the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). They are eligible only if they are able to pass the full medical underwriting requirement. More details are available at www. ltcfeds.com/.

—MICHELE BOLLIER IS A RETIREMENT AND BENEFITS SPECIALIST WITH RETIRE FEDERAL.