Qualifying Life Events (QLE)

Service Information

Qualifying Life Events

A qualifying life event is required to request changes in benefits outside of the Open Enrollment period. Eligible Employees can add or remove dependents, change plan enrollments, or change or enroll in a Flexible Spending Account, within 31 days of any of the following events:

  • Marriage or the establishment of a civil union or domestic partnership
  • Birth, adoption or obtaining legal guardianship of a child
  • Loss of other coverage for employees or dependent(s) for reasons such as legal separation, divorce, death or termination of employment

Changes must be completed online through Employee Self-Service (ESS). Supporting documentation is required and must be scanned and uploaded directly to ESS.

Employees may also enroll in or make changes to their voluntary benefits.

    For assistance with logging into ESS, employees should contact their agency's Help Desk.

    Within the Cook County Network (at work)

    Outside the Cook County Network (from home)

    Documentation is required for establishing an employee’s legal relationship when adding a dependent due to new hire enrollment, during Open Enrollment or as a result of a qualifying life event. Documents written in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

    Dependent Status - Supporting Documentation