New Enrollment Policy for Victims of Domestic or Gender-Based Violence

The state of New York has issued new health benefit guidelines in support of employees who are victims of domestic or gender-based violence.

The guidelines apply to Welfare Fund members or dependents impacted by domestic or gender-based violence. Such violence is now considered a “qualifying event” and the guidelines are designed to prevent the possibility of a lapse in coverage.

City employees and Welfare Fund members who are victims of domestic violence or gender-based violence who separate from a household member due to an incident or incidents of domestic or gender-based violence shall be allowed to enroll for City health benefits or make reasonable changes in their current City health benefits at any time during the calendar year.

The effective date of enrollment or benefit change will be the first day of the month following the processing of the health benefits application.