Benefits Enrollment and Changes

Supporting Documentation Deadlines

Review the deadlines below and acceptable supporting documentation to make benefits changes when you experience a Qualified Life Event.

Instructions for each Qualified Life Event type is noted below.

Resources for Faculty and Staff:

• 2024 Active Benefits Guide for Faculty and Staff (PDF)
• Online Enrollment Guide for Health and Welfare Benefits (PDF)*

*On the Go? Download the mobile app, enter our company code GWbenefitscenter, along with your GWID and password (date of birth in MMDDYYYY format), and take your GW benefits with you wherever you go.

Important Deadlines to Make Benefits Changes

• 30 calendar days: The period of time new hires, and employees who switch to a benefits-eligible status, have to enroll in benefits.
• 30 calendar days from the event: The period of time employees have to make changes if they experience a qualifying life event (as defined by the IRS, such as marriage, losing coverage under a spouse, etc.) 
• 60 calendar days: The period of time employees have to make benefits changes for a birth or adoption life event.

Supporting Documentation:

In order to cover your family members, GW needs to verify dependent eligibility. Dependent coverage is pending until documentation is received and verified.

Documentation may be uploaded directly into the system during the benefits election process or mailed, faxed, or emailed.  

If you are adding a dependent to your coverage, you must provide the following documentation to complete enrollment:

• Spouse – marriage certificate or a copy of last year’s tax returns
• Childbirth certificate or other proof of birth
• Common-Law Marriage Partner – Declaration of Common-Law Form
• Domestic Partner – Declaration of Domestic Partnership form (including three supporting documents); Or, you may submit a government-issued Certificate of Domestic Partnership.

1. Log in to go.gwu.edu/enroll4benefits and enter your Qualified Life Event. The system has a single-sign-on capability when logging on from a GW-provided computer. 
2. Gather supporting documentation of the life event.
3. Upload your supporting documentation directly to the GW Benefits Enrollment System site during the benefit election process. You may also send all supporting documentation to Benefits via fax 571-553-8385 or email: [email protected] 

Benefits Changes Due To Qualified Life Events

Benefit changes must be consistent with your life event. For example, if you have a baby, you may add the baby to your medical coverage. You cannot, however, drop dental coverage for other family members at this time.

Important!

GW Benefits continues to accept documentation in support of Qualified Life Events (QLE) changes during university breaks and holidays to ensure you may submit your information within the required timeframes.

Documentation can be uploaded to the GW Benefits Enrollment System under your employee profile or sent to Benefits via email or by fax to 571-553-8385.

Select the qualified life event you have recently experienced to understand the steps you need to take to make benefits changes.