Who Qualifies as Dependants?

Who Qualifies as Dependants?

24th November 2025
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Young girl sitting on airport-style seating while holding a large teddy bear, with text asking ‘Who qualifies as dependants?’.

Do you want to add dependents but you’re not sure who qualifies?

If you want to add dependents on the Scheme but you are not sure whether they qualify, or what you should do to add them, here’s what you need to know!

The following persons qualify to be added as dependants on Platinum Health:

Spouse
  • We recommend that you add your spouse as a dependent within 30 days from the date of getting married.
  • If you don’t add your spouse within 30 days of getting married, waiting periods may apply.
  • When you complete the Membership Application form to add your spouse, remember to insert your date of marriage in the section where we ask what the join date should be.
  • Remember if your spouse is younger than 21 years, he/she will pay adult membership contributions.
 For a civil marriage, provide us with the following documents:

  • Membership Application form
  • Identity document or Passport of your spouse.
  • Marriage certificate (required within 30 days of marriage).
  • Proof of the previous medical scheme of your spouse.
  • The Scheme may require additional documentation to finalise the application.

For a customary marriage, provide us with the following documents:

  • Membership Application form
  • Identity document or Passport of your spouse.
  • Proof of the previous medical scheme of your spouse.
  • Lobola agreement letter OR
  • Letter from the Chief confirming the customary marriage.
  • Affidavit from you as the principal member, confirming the customary marriage.
  • Proof of the previous medical scheme of your spouse.
  • Any additional information we may require from you.

 

Common-law partner, Same-sex partner and Fiancée
  • A Common-law partner, Same sex partner or Fiancée who is younger than 21 years, pays adult membership contributions.
 Complete a Membership Application form and submit it to us, together with an Affidavit which:

  • States the period of living together.
  • Confirmation of the relationship.
  • Proof of mutual dependency, for example Home Loan/Water and electricity account.
  • Proof of previous medical scheme of your partner.
  • Copy of Identity document or Passport of your partner.
  • Any additional information we may require from you.

 

Biological father, mother, brother or sister
  • You can add your biological father, mother, brother or sister as dependents, provided that they don’t earn more than the maximum social pension per month, and that they are financially dependent on you for family care and support.
 Complete a Membership Application form and submit it to us, together with copies of the following documents:

  • A death certificate if the dependent is a widow or widower or the parents have passed on.
  • An Affidavit which states:
    • The relation of the dependent to you as the principal member.
    • That the dependant is financially dependent on you as the principal member and proof thereof per dependant.
    • That the dependent is unemployed. – Confirmation of all bank accounts.
    • Copy of 3 months bank statements (all bank accounts) of the dependent.
    • ITA34 (can be obtained from SARS).
    • Proof of previous medical scheme of the dependent.
    • Copy of the dependent’s Identity document or Passport.
  • Any additional information we may require from you.

 

Biological child or stepchild
  • Please note that you can add your biological child or stepchild as dependents if they don’t earn more than the maximum social pension per month.
  • It’s also important to note that child dependents who reach 21 years, pay adult contributions.
 Your newborn baby has to be registered with us within 30 days from the date of birth, otherwise waiting periods may apply. Complete a Membership Application form and remember to insert their date of birth in the section where we ask what the join date should be. Then submit it to us, together with copies of the following documents:

  • Proof of birth.
  • Your newborn’s birth certificate which needs to be submitted to us within 30 days of birth. To add your stepchild or biological child, complete a Membership Application form and submit it to us, together with copies of the following:
  • Proof of your biological child or stepchild’s previous medical scheme.
  • Unabridged birth certificate
  • If your biological child or stepchild is older than 21 years, or they are studying or unemployed, submit their proof of study and an affidavit confirming their employment and their financial dependency on you.
  • Identity document or Passport of your biological child or stepchild.
  • Any additional information we may require from you.

 

Adopted Children
  • You can add adopted children as dependents, provided that you as the principal member adopt them.
 A newly adopted child has to be registered from the date of the court order otherwise waiting periods may apply. Complete the Membership Application form to add your adopted child and remember to insert the date of the court order in the section where we ask what the join date should be. Also, provide us with copies of:

  • Court order of legal adoption.
  • Proof of previous medical scheme of the adopted child.
  • Unabridged birth certificate.
  • Identity document or Passport of the adopted child.
  • Any additional information we may require from you.

 

Grandchild
If your child dependant gives birth to a newborn baby (grandchild) and she was registered on our maternity programme, the grandchild can be added as a dependant too. A newborn grandchild has to be registered with the scheme within 30 days from the date of birth, otherwise waiting periods may apply. Complete a Membership Application form and remember to insert your grandchild’s date of birth in the section where we ask what the join date should be. Also, provide us with copies of:

  • Proof of birth of your grandchild.
  • Your newborn grandchild’s unabridged birth certificate needs to be submitted to us within 30 days of the date of birth.
  • Any additional information we may require from you.
If your child dependant has a newborn baby (grandchild), and did not utilise our maternity programme, your grandchild can be added as a dependant too. A newborn grandchild has to be registered with the scheme within 30 days from the date of birth, otherwise waiting periods may apply. Complete a Membership Application form and remember to insert your grandchild’s date of birth in the section where we ask what the join date should be. Also, provide us with copies of:

  • Proof of birth of your grandchild.
  • Your newborn grandchild’s unabridged birth certificate needs to be submitted to us within 30 days of the date of birth.
  • Affidavit from the principal member explaining the circumstances regarding the newborn.
  • Affidavit regarding the circumstances from both biological parents.
  • Notification of birth from the institution where the baby was born.
  • Any additional information we may require from you.

 

Grandchild
Your grandchild can be added as a dependent if you as the principal member legally adopt your grandchild. In such an instance you are required to provide us with the following documents:

  • Complete the Membership Application form and remember to insert the date of the court order in the section where we ask what the join date should be.
  • Submit it to us, together with the following documentation:
    • Copy of your grandchild’s Identity document or Passport or birth certificate. – Court order of legal adoption.
    • Affidavit from you as the principal member and both parents advising the circumstances.
    • Any additional information we may require from you.
You cannot add your grandchild as a dependant if:

  • Your biological child is not registered as a dependent on the Scheme or you have not legally adopted your grandchild.

The following persons do not qualify as dependants of the Scheme:

  • Ex-spouse or partner – Please note that you have to provide us with 30 days’ notice to terminate membership of your ex-spouse or ex-partner. You can do this by completing a Change form, indicating on the form that you want to terminate your ex-spouse or ex-partner as dependents.
  • Family-law
  • Friend
  • Uncle or aunt, cousin, nephew or niece
  • Foster children

Who should I submit these documents to?

You can submit the above documents to Client Liaison at:

Email: phclientliaison@platinumhealth.co.za

If you need assistance or have questions, reach out to our call centre on 014 590 1700.

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