What is a coben allowance?
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2025 12:08 am
The state will establish one "combined" employer contribution (known as a "coben allowance") amount for your health, dental, and vision benefits. The coben allowance is automatically established in the sco payroll system; therefore, no enrollment form is required. Based on the health, dental, and vision plans you choose, the full premium cost is deducted from the benefit coben allowance. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the state's vision plan. The vision benefit is mandatory under coben, and you may not cancel your state-sponsored vision coverage.
Who is eligible for the coben allowance?
State employees eligible for the coben benefit allowance must meet the eligibility criteria listed below:
designated bargaining unit and , managerial, supervisory, exempt (except judicial council employees, judges and justices), confidential, and all other job function email database permanent employees excluded from collective bargaining.
Limited-term (lt) or temporary authorization (tau) employees appointed six months or more (for appointments in item ).
Seasonal lifeguards (unit ) and seasonal firefighters (unit ).
All eligible employees must work half-time or more.
When is my benefit allowance effective?
Keep in mind that no enrollment form is required and the coben allowance is automatically established. The effective date is on a prospective basis and based on when you move into or out of an employee designation that is eligible for consolidated benefits.
What happens if the total cost of my health, dental, and vision benefits are less than my allowance?
If the total cost of the plans you choose is less than your coben allowance, then you will receive the difference as taxable cash (excess cash) in your paycheck. The excess cash amount will be subject to state, federal, and social security taxes.
What happens if the total cost of my health, dental, and vision benefits are more than my allowance?
If the total cost of the plans you choose is more than your coben allowance, then you pay the difference (out-of-pocket) with pre-tax dollars automatically deducted from your paycheck. The out-of-pocket amount will not be subject to state, federal, and social security taxes.
What happens to my coben allowance if i receive cash in lieu of health coverage?
If you elect to receive cash in lieu of your state-sponsored health plan but enroll in a state-sponsored dental plan, then your dental benefit enrollment party code will be used to determine the amount of the benefit allowance. In this situation, you will receive cash in lieu of health, and your dental and vision premiums will be fully paid. You will not have an out-of-pocket dental and vision premium cost.
However, if the total cost of your dental and vision premium is less than your benefit allowance, than you will not receive the difference (excess cash) in your paycheck. In order to receive excess cash, you must be enrolled in health, dental, and vision. If you are not enrolled in all three benefits, then you will not be eligible to receive excess cash.
Who is eligible for the coben allowance?
State employees eligible for the coben benefit allowance must meet the eligibility criteria listed below:
designated bargaining unit and , managerial, supervisory, exempt (except judicial council employees, judges and justices), confidential, and all other job function email database permanent employees excluded from collective bargaining.
Limited-term (lt) or temporary authorization (tau) employees appointed six months or more (for appointments in item ).
Seasonal lifeguards (unit ) and seasonal firefighters (unit ).
All eligible employees must work half-time or more.
When is my benefit allowance effective?
Keep in mind that no enrollment form is required and the coben allowance is automatically established. The effective date is on a prospective basis and based on when you move into or out of an employee designation that is eligible for consolidated benefits.
What happens if the total cost of my health, dental, and vision benefits are less than my allowance?
If the total cost of the plans you choose is less than your coben allowance, then you will receive the difference as taxable cash (excess cash) in your paycheck. The excess cash amount will be subject to state, federal, and social security taxes.
What happens if the total cost of my health, dental, and vision benefits are more than my allowance?
If the total cost of the plans you choose is more than your coben allowance, then you pay the difference (out-of-pocket) with pre-tax dollars automatically deducted from your paycheck. The out-of-pocket amount will not be subject to state, federal, and social security taxes.
What happens to my coben allowance if i receive cash in lieu of health coverage?
If you elect to receive cash in lieu of your state-sponsored health plan but enroll in a state-sponsored dental plan, then your dental benefit enrollment party code will be used to determine the amount of the benefit allowance. In this situation, you will receive cash in lieu of health, and your dental and vision premiums will be fully paid. You will not have an out-of-pocket dental and vision premium cost.
However, if the total cost of your dental and vision premium is less than your benefit allowance, than you will not receive the difference (excess cash) in your paycheck. In order to receive excess cash, you must be enrolled in health, dental, and vision. If you are not enrolled in all three benefits, then you will not be eligible to receive excess cash.