Rule would give seasonal government workers health benefits

Seasonal and temporary government workers could be eligible for federal health benefits based on a new rule proposed by the Office of Personnel Management.

The administration is set to publish a proposed rule Tuesday to let seasonal and temporary workers sign up for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program.

{mosads}Such workers aren’t eligible for the benefits now until they work at the government for one year.

The change would allow workers to get the benefits immediately, even if they are working temporary or seasonal jobs.

The condition is that they must expect to be employed on a full-time schedule, and work at least 90 days.

The government defines full-time as working 130 hours per month.

Temporary and seasonal workers also can’t bet an employer contribution to their plans even after working for a year. The new rule would allow them to get the employer contribution after six months.