ACCESSING YOUR BENEFITS
Joining the UA Local 67 Benefits Welfare Plan
At UA Local 67 Benefits, we want to ensure you and your family have access to the benefits you’re eligible for. Understanding your eligibility is the first step toward securing your coverage. Whether you’re a new member or looking for a reminder, we’re here to guide you through the requirements and help you take advantage of your benefits.
What’s Required
You’ll be automatically enrolled in the Welfare Plan once you meet the eligibility, contribution, and enrolment requirements, as outlined below.
Once you meet all three requirements, your benefits will start on the 1st day of the calendar month after you qualify.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify generally for the UA Local 67 Benefits Plans, you must meet one of the following criteria:
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- Be a member in good standing with UA Local 67, or
- Work full-time as a member of the administrative staff for either UA Local 67 or UA Local 67 Benefits.
Each of the three UA Local 67 Benefits Plans have additional contribution and enrolment requirements.
Enrolment Requirements
Once the UA Local 67 union office informs us of your initiation date, we’ll send you a Benefits Welcome Package in the mail. To enroll in the Welfare Plan, you must complete and return the following documents to UA Local 67 Benefits:
- Welfare Enrollment/Change Form
- Supporting Documents for your dependents, if applicable
This Welfare Enrollment/Change Form is required before we can enroll you and your dependents in the Welfare Plan. Please fill out the form and send it back to us as soon as you can. This way we can have coverage for you and your dependents in place as soon as your enrolment meets the contribution requirements.
Contribution Requirements
Your Welfare Plan enrolment will become active when your employer’s contributions in your Benefits Account will pay for 3 months of coverage under the plan.
If you have already submitted the enrolment documents when you meet the necessary Benefits Account balance, you will be automatically enrolled in the Welfare Plan. Don’t delay!
Dependent Requirements for the Welfare Plan
Once you are a member of the plan, your spouse and children will be covered under the Health and Dental benefits in the Welfare Plan, provided they meet the following criteria:
- Reside in Canada,
- Are covered by the Provincial Health Insurance Plan (such as OHIP), and
- Are reported to the Canada Revenue Agency as an eligible dependent.
To add your dependents to the plan, you must list them on your Welfare Enrolment/Change Form and provide any required supporting documentation.
Eligible Spouse Definition
An eligible spouse is defined as a person of either sex who is living with you in a conjugal relationship and is:
- Legally married to you, or
- Your common-law partner of more than 12 months.
Important to Know
You can only cover one spouse at a time under the plan.
Eligible Dependent Child Definition
An eligible dependent child is defined as the natural, legally adopted, step, or foster child of you or your eligible spouse who is:
- Unmarried and dependent on you or your spouse for financial support, and
- Under age 21 (or under age 25 if a full-time student at a recognized and accredited educational institution).
You cannot cover children from both a legal marriage and a common-law relationship at the same time unless the children:
- Live with you, or
- Don’t live with you, but are fully dependent on you for financial support.
Children aged 21-24 must be full-time students at an accredited institution to remain in the plan. Proof of attendance is required annually. If your dependent child is disabled, legal documentation must be provided to keep them in the plan.
If you list your eligible dependents on the Welfare Enrollment/Change Form when you enroll, they’ll be added to the plan when your own coverage begins. If you get married or have a baby, request the Welfare Enrollment/Change Form to add these new dependents to the plan.
When Coverage Ends
Your membership in the UA Local 67 Benefits Welfare Plan ends automatically on the first of the month after:
- Your membership in UA Local 67 ends, or
- You no longer have enough money in your Benefits Account to pay the cost of one month of coverage and you do not make a direct payment to UA Local 67 Benefits.
You must submit any outstanding health and dental claims within 90 days of your coverage ending.
If you would like to continue all or part of your Welfare Plan coverage, you can elect to cover the direct cost of the plan. Learn more in the Contributions page.
If you would like to continue your life insurance and are under the age of 65, you may arrange to buy individual life insurance directly from Canada Life. To find the requirements or to learn more, visit Group Life.
Rejoining the Plan
If you let your coverage stop when you do not have enough money in your Benefits Account to cover the required premium, you will be required to either (1) accumulate enough contributions to cover 2 months of premiums, or (2) pay the premiums for all months during the lapse in coverage before you can re-enroll in the Welfare Plan.
IMPORTANT: There also cannot be any break in your union membership to qualify as a member rejoining the plan.
Questions About Your Eligibility?
If you have any questions about your eligibility, refer to your Benefits Booklet. Our team is also here to help you navigate your benefits easily.