Long Beach council hears support and questions for extending health benefits to domestic partners

The City Council on Feb. 3 considered a resolution to extend health‑insurance benefits to employees’ domestic partners, with staff saying the change is guided by state verification forms and will have a modest added cost for employees who switch to family coverage.

City Manager Dan Creighton explained the policy would allow qualified full‑time employees to enroll a domestic partner — including same‑sex couples — subject to documentation showing cohabitation and financial interdependence via New York State Department of Civil Service forms (PS‑425 and related affidavits). He said strict proof will be required before enrollment.

During council questions, staff reiterated the verification process and noted there could be an additional per‑employee cost if an employee moves from single to family coverage; the administration estimated roughly 10 employees might enroll, and gave an illustrative cost increase of up to about $2,000 a month if multiple employees switch coverage tiers. John Mooney, speaking as a union representative, said several union members would directly benefit and urged the council to approve the change. Residents asked whether roommates could qualify and how the city would prevent fraudulent claims; staff reiterated the documentation requirement.

Council did not take a final vote on the substantive benefit change at the Feb. 3 meeting; staff said more information is available and that forms and verification procedures follow state civil‑service rules.