Qualifying Events
for Benefits Enrollment & Changes

IRS rules state that benefit selections may only be changed when an employee experiences a qualifying event or during the Annual Open Enrollment period. The employee must complete an online enrollment via PeopleSoft Employee Self-Service (ESS) and upload the appropriate required documentation. The change must be consistent with the event.

Employees who experience a qualifying event must complete their benefits changes within 31-calendar days* from the date of the qualifying event.

Examples of qualifying events and required documentation can be found at the bottom of this webpage.

* Unless otherwise indicated

Benefits Enrollment & Changes Webpage: /Page/7324

General Instructions - Enroll/Change Benefits Due to a Qualifying Event:

1. Log into PeopleSoft Employee Self-Service (ESS): http://selfservice.pps.net
2. Click on the Benefits Information panel.
3. On the left-hand side of the screen, click Life Events.
4. Select the radio button next to the qualifying event.
  - If your qualifying event is not listed in ESS, email the PPS Benefits Team at benefits@pps.net for further instructions.
5. Follow the prompts on the screen to upload and submit the required documentation for your qualifying event.
6. The PPS Benefits Team will then review your document.
7. Once your document has been approved by the PPS Benefits Team, you will receive an email notification.
  - If you do not receive the email notification that your document has been approved within 2 business days of uploading your document(s), contact the PPS Benefits Team at benefits@pps.net.
8. After receiving the notification email, log back into ESS and go to the Benefits Information panel.
9. On the left-hand side of the screen, click Benefits Enrollment.
10. Under the Open Benefits Events section, you should see your qualifying event. Click the Select button next to the qualifying event.
11. Follow the prompts on the screen to enroll or make changes to your PPS benefits.

PeopleSoft ESS Login Issues? Contact PPS IT Service Desk at 503-916-3375

Benefits Enrollment Technical Issues in PeopleSoft ESS? Contact the PPS Benefits Team at benefits@pps.net

Examples of Qualifying Events & Required Documentation

QUALIFYING EVENT	REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Marriage	Marriage license (both sides)
Divorce	Divorce decree (pages with your names, Judges signature, and date finalized only)
Death of a spouse/domestic partner	Death certificate, if spouse/domestic partner was enrolled in Voluntary Term Life Insurance
Establishment of a domestic partnership	Notarized Affidavit of Domestic Partnership OR Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership. Email your notarized Affidavit of Domestic Partnership OR Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership to the PPS Benefits Team at benefits@pps.net for approval and further instructions.
Dissolution of a domestic partnership	Email the PPS Benefits Team for further instructions at benefits@pps.net.
Birth of a child NOTE: You have 60-calendar days from the date of birth to add your child to your PPS insurance.	Birth certificate (hospital announcement is also acceptable)
Adoption of a child **NOTE: You have 60-calendar days from the date of adoption to add your child to your PPS insurance.**	Adoption paperwork
Guardianship of a child by court ordered judgment	Court order
Loss of an employee’s dependents’ health coverage from another group plan	Certificate of Creditable Coverage from their employer or insurance carrier stating: The full names of all those who were covered on the insurance plan; AND The specific date their insurance coverage started. Email Certificate of Creditable Coverage to the PPS Benefits Team at benefits@pps.net for approval and further instructions.
Returning to work after an unpaid leave of absence which caused a loss of coverage	Email the PPS Benefits Team for further instructions at benefits@pps.net.
Change in employee’s employment status (i.e., gaining benefits eligibility, full-time to part-time and part-time to full-time)	Email the PPS Benefits Team for further instructions at benefits@pps.net.

Unsure if an event qualifies for enrolling in or making changes to your PPS benefits? Contact the PPS Benefits Team at benefits@pps.net.

Qualifying Events for Benefits Enrollment & Changes

Examples of Qualifying Events & Required Documentation

Qualifying Events
for Benefits Enrollment & Changes