The SMWIA Local # 8 Health & Welfare Plan is administered
by Coughlin & Associates
Highlight of
Eligibility Rules – January 1, 2007
Eligibility
A Union member of Local Union 8 participating in the Alberta
Sheet Metal Workers Health and Welfare Plan and for whom an employer is
obligated to make contributions to the Fund. Union members and their
dependants will become eligible on the first of the month following
accumulation of 390 hours of contributions provided they are available
for work.
Continuation
of Eligibility
Hours worked for contributing employers by each member will
be credited to the individual’s Hour bank account. Each month
130 hours will be deducted from each member's hour bank account for
insurance coverage, and members will continue to remain eligible as long
as their Hour bank account contain at least 130 hours. Union members
will be allowed to accumulate excess hours in their Hour bank account up
to a maximum of 1,560 hours.
Termination of Benefits
Eligibility for the
union member and dependents under this Plan will terminate on the
earliest of the following events; a) 12 months following the date of
death of the member, b) at the end of the month in which an member's
hour bank falls below 130 hours, and the member chooses not to make
self-payments, or, if earlier, the date the member's Union membership
terminates, c) termination of the policy, and d) the date the member
enters Military Service.
Reinstatement
A member whose
eligibility has terminated will again become eligible if his Hour bank
account shows a total of at least 130 hours within the 6 calendar month
period subsequent to the termination of eligibility. If the
member is not reinstated within a 6 calendar month period, such an
member will again become eligible for insurance upon completion of the
eligibility requirements as described above. If a member is not
reinstated within 12 calendar months, the hours in this account will be
forfeited.
Extension of Coverage by Self-Payment
An active Union member whose eligibility terminates and who
remains in good standing with the Union, may continue his coverage from
month to month by making self-payments to the Plan Administrator. The
maximum number of self-payments allowed is as follows; a) Life
Insurance, to age 70, however following age 65 the Life Insurance
reduces to $3,000, b) 6 consecutive months for Long Term and Weekly
Disability Income (but not beyond age 60 for Long Term Disability), c)
24 consecutive months for all other coverage (but not beyond age 65).
Union members receiving Long Term Disability can self-pay for
Supplementary Healthcare and Dental coverage as long as they remain
disabled, following the initial 10 year subsidy from the Plan, but not
beyond age 65.
This Information Summary Sheet does
not replace the Booklet or the Insurance
Policy. If you have any questions or comments,
please call the Administrator at
1-800-461-0679
