The benefits of a domestic partnership can include the ability to share health, dental, and vision insurance, visitation rights in case of hospitalization or incarceration, and certain employer benefits like adoption assistance.
The Declaration of Domestic Partnership form is only Valid through the end of the calendar year in which it is signed. All employees covering a Domestic Partner need to complete a new Open Enrollment Declaration of Domestic Partnership during the State's Open Enrollment period every calendar year.
Unless you create a properly executed cohabitation agreement, you have no rights to the assets or earnings of the person you're cohabitating with, regardless of how long you've been together.