Under the statute, a qualified beneficiary is someone who "is a beneficiary under the plan" (i.e., is covered under the plan) immediately prior to the qualifying event and who is: A covered employee (but only if the qualifying event is a termination or reduction in hours of the covered employee's employment.

Up to 18 months for covered employees, as well as their spouses and their dependents, when workers otherwise would lose coverage because of a termination or reduction of hours. Up to 29 months is available to employees who are determined to have been disabled at any time during the first 60 days of COBRA coverage and applies as well to the disabled employee's nondisabled qualified beneficiaries.

A qualified beneficiary may elect COBRA coverage at any time within 60 days after the date plan coverage terminates, or, if later 60 days after the date of the notice to the qualified beneficiary from the plan administrator. The 60-day period permits a qualified beneficiary to "adopt a wait-and-see approach to continued coverage, and then elect if and when medical care is required during the election period.

Yes. COBRA requires that "each" qualified beneficiary be entitled to elect COBRA coverage. If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate election among the different types at open enrollment.

Ans: Generally, the duration of continuation coverage that must be provided under a plan depends upon the qualifying event that caused the loss of coverage. If the qualifying event is termination of employment or reduction of hours, the maximum continuation coverage is 18 months after the qualifying event. If an insured is determined to be totally disabled within 60 days of the qualifying event the maximum is 29 months.

When you apply fo VGLI, you can name any person, firm, corporation or legal entity as the beneficiary of your VGLI. To change a beneficiary, complete, sign and submit to OSGLI: form SGLV 8721, Beneficiary Designation - Veterans' Group Life Insurance.

Your qualifications are based on your responses to the specific questions in the vacancy announcement and the information in your resume. More information regarding qualifications for federal jobs can be found at the Office of Personnel Management website at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/