Initial eligibility

This is how you become eligible for benefits for the first time.

Generally, you must have 1 year of continuous service and earn 1,560 service hours (an average of 30 hours per week) within your initial measurement period to be eligible for benefits. Your initial measurement period begins on the first day of the pay period following the pay period in which you first have hours and ends 12 months later, provided you have not had a Break in Service (described below). If you have earned 1,560 hours of service at the end of your initial measurement period, you will become eligible for benefits. Benefits will be effective on the first of the month following the end of your initial measurement period. You are guaranteed benefits eligibility for 12 months from your effective date.

For example, Mary is hired on July 25 but doesn’t begin working until the pay period that begins August 18, 2020. Her initial measurement period will be from August 18 through August 17, 2021. If she earns 1,560 hours of service or more, her benefits will be effective September 1, 2021, and will not end earlier than August 31, 2022.

You have 45 days from when you become eligible for benefits to enroll in coverage. For example, if you can join the benefits plan starting on June 1, you will have until July 15 to enroll.

Learn more about how to enroll.

Annual eligibility

Once a year, we take a look at who gains, maintains, or loses eligibility for the next calendar year.

For annual eligibility, a Team Member must earn 1,560 hours of service (an average of 30 hours per week) over a particular period of time. Generally, the period of time checked for annual eligibility will be 52 weeks beginning and ending in early October.

The hours that were included for determining your eligibility for benefits in 2022 were hours of service (including credited hours for eligible leave) included in pay dates between October 3, 2020, and October 2, 2021. For 2023 eligibility for benefits, the hours included for determining your eligibility for benefits include the pay dates between October 3, 2021 and October 2, 2022.

If you were determined to be eligible under initial eligibility but not annual eligibility, you will be able to continue on your benefits for 12 months from your initial effective date.