
Life Changes & Benefits Separation
Life happens, and sometimes you need to make benefit changes outside of open enrollment. That's what we're here for.
Considering Making Changes To Your Benefits?
.jpg)
Free Flu Shots For All Team Members!
All United Family Team Members are welcome to attend a flu clinic or visit a store and receive a flu shot at no cost to them. For those family members who are also on a United Family medical plan, flu shots are free of charge. For anyone else, there may be a fee associated with receiving the flu vaccine.
Life Changes
Am I Eligible?
Team Members working 30 or more hours per week* are eligible for most company benefits on the first day of the month following 30 days from the date of hire. You must enroll within 30 days of your coverage effective date.
Example: If your hire date is February 10, 2022, your coverage effective date is April 1, 2022, provided you enroll in your benefits by April 30, 2022. If you miss the enrollment deadline, you must wait until the next annual Open Enrollment period to sign up for most benefits unless you experience a qualifying life event during the year, such as getting married or having a baby.
*Some variations apply for pharmacists.
- Change in employment status, such as part-time to full-time (will have 31 days to enroll)
- Birth/adopting of child
- Marriage
- Divorce/legal separation
- Gain/loss of other coverage for you or a dependent
- Beginning/end of domestic partnership relationship
- Death of a family member
- You or a covered dependent becomes eligible for Medicare or Medicaid
- Completed verification documents can be submitted with a cover page that includes your name, associate ID, last four digits of your SSN, and daytime telephone number. You can:
- Email the cover page and verification documents to totalbenefits@unitedtexas.com
- Fax with cover page and verification documents to (806) 791-6341
When Benefits End
COBRA
If you’re planning to leave the United Family or you do not work enough hours to maintain benefits eligibility, it’s important to understand what will happen to your benefits. In general, your benefit coverage ends on your last day of employment or the date you are no longer eligible for benefits. For medical, dental and vision coverage and a few other benefit plans, you may have the option to continue your coverage at your own expense for while eligible. This option is called COBRA continuation coverage. You also have the option to select coverage through Stride Health if COBRA isn’t the right fit for you.
COBRA Continuation Coverage
You and your eligible dependents may be able to continue your medical, dental, vision and employee assistance program (EAP) through COBRA at your own expense if:
- You have coverage on your last day of employment at the Company (or last day prior to a leave of absence if you don’t return to work), and
- You want to keep the same coverage you currently have.
Government regulations and your individual circumstances determine the length of time you’re eligible for COBRA coverage.
United Supermarkets will notify Inspira Financial, the COBRA administrator, of your right to elect COBRA continuation coverage. The COBRA administrator will mail COBRA information (including rates and enrollment instructions) to you within 10 days after they receive notification of your termination. If you don’t receive the notice, call Inspira Financial at (800) 359-3921.
Stride
Stride Health Offers an Alternative to COBRA Continuation Coverage
If COBRA continuation coverage is not the right fit for your budget or needs, United Supermarkets/Albertsons has teamed up with Stride Health to offer a different solution. Stride helps you compare top federal and state marketplace insurance plans, uncover savings through subsidies and tax credits, and secure the best coverage—all in just minutes.
Why Choose Stride?
- Affordable plans: Stride users save an average of $447/month on health insurance with tax credits compared to full-price health plans.
- Apply in minutes: Find plans that cover your doctors and prescriptions, with easy side-by-side comparisons and tax credit guidance to simplify your choice
- Expert support: Need assistance? Stride’s licensed agents are available at no cost to help you find and enroll in the plan that best fits your needs.
Because your health coverage is ending, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) through the federal or state Marketplace. You have 60 days from the date your coverage ends to take advantage of Stride and enroll in a Marketplace health plan. If you do not enroll within this 60-day window, you may have to wait until the next annual Marketplace open enrollment period to secure coverage.
Stride is here to make sure you stay protected—with the support and guidance you need to find the right plan.
Get Started with Stride
- Visit stride.help/employee to explore and enroll in the best plan for your needs.
- Prefer to speak with someone? Stride's licensed agents are ready to help at (888) 839-3370.
Helpful Links

Download Our Benefits Guidebook!
We're making benefits easy. Take a look at the United Family Guidebook on how to get started, step-by-step instructions, and FAQs.

