Domestic Partners
Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, Kent State University will offer domestic partner benefits to eligible employees. The benefits will extend to both same gender and opposite gender partners of university faculty, unclassified employees and unrepresented classified employees.
The benefits that will be offered to eligible domestic partners are:
- Medical, prescription, vision and dental insurance
- Dependent life insurance
- Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
- Tuition fee waiver
To initiate the domestic partner benefits process, the employee must complete an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership form, which includes supporting documentation attesting that the domestic partners meet the conditions listed below:
- Are at least 18 years of age and have the capacity to enter into a contract;
- Share a permanent residence (unless residing in different cities, states or countries on a temporary basis);
- Are the sole domestic partner of each other, having been in the relationship for at least six months and intending to remain the relationship indefinitely;
- Are not currently married to, or legally separated from, another person under statutory or common law;
- Are responsible for each other's welfare;
- Are not related by blood to a degree that would bar marriage in the state of Ohio; and
- Are financially interdependent on each other. This includes documentation of at least three of the following:
o Joint ownership of real estate property or joint tenancy on a residential lease;
o Joint ownership of an automobile;
o Joint bank account or credit account;
o Will, designating the domestic partner as the primary beneficiary;
o Retirement plan or life insurance policy designating the domestic partner as the primary beneficiary;
o Durable power of attorney, signed to the effect that powers are granted to one another.
You can download the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership form. You can also contact the Benefits office at 330-672-3107 or visit us in Heer Hall, Loop Road, 2nd Floor.