Effective May 1st, there will be changes to the Wage indemnity Plan.

The CUPE AC Wage Indemnity Plan Board of Trustees, wishes to inform the members that their Contribution of 4.3% will be reduced by .5% effective for the May block month (May 1, 2023).  A 3.8% contribution calculation will be used on the May 2023 payroll, remitted to Manion for June of 2023. Members will see the deduction on their June 17, 2023, pay summary.

The Board will be incorporating, effective May 1, 2023, an extension of an additional 11 weeks to the EI sick insurance carve out, for a total of 26 weeks. This means, the plan will be 15 weeks of STD 1, then 26 weeks EI sick insurance carve out, and then 35 weeks of STD 2. The Board will also be instituting the below clause that may cover members who are ineligible for EI disability due to insufficient insurable hours. This will take effect for any new WIP disability claims commencing May 1, 2023, or later.

Clause: EI Ineligibility due to Insufficient Insurable Hours
If you are Totally Disabled but do not satisfy the El eligibility requirements due to hours, you may be eligible for disability benefits from this Plan for a maximum of twenty-six (26) weeks at 55% of your pre-disability weekly earnings, subject to the maximum payable by EI, provided you submit proof that you are not eligible due to insufficient insurable hours. You must submit your EI denial letter with your claim for WIP benefits to Manion.

Please note: Overpayment of benefits
If a participant has received an overpayment of disability benefits, s/he is responsible for repayment of the overpaid amount within 6-months of the date s/he is notified of the overpayment, or within a longer period if so agreed to by SSQ. If the participant fails to do so, further disability benefits payable to the participant from the current and any future claim will be reduced until the overpayment is recovered. If there are no further benefits to withhold, SSQ has the right to recover overpayments by any other available legal means, including the use of a collection agency.

If your date of disability is prior to May 1st and you are presently on the plan at any stage you will follow the old plan policy of 15 weeks STD 1, then 15 weeks EI sick insurance carve out, and 46 weeks STD 2.

Manion will be operating with a new phone system. If you are inquiring into a new claim you will call the general line if you have been appointed a Disability Claims Manager you will be able to leave messages directly on your Disability Manager’s line.

Continuation of Coverage During Absence From Work
Prepayment of premiums is not required for an absence from the payroll of 15 calendar days or less. Prepayment of premiums is required for an absence from the payroll of 16 or more calendar days for one of the following reasons. You must prepay the required premium in full within 30 days in order to be eligible for benefit consideration following the end of any of these periods:

(1) Leave of absence granted (such as personal, educational, maternity, child care, bereavement, or jury duty) other than inability to meet medical standards (IMMS): your coverage may be continued for a maximum duration of up to 24 months.

If you have elected to keep your coverage in force and you become totally disabled during the 24-month period, the elimination period will commence on the date you are scheduled to return to work.

On Behalf of your AC CUPE Wage Indemnity Board of Trust,

Patricia Eberley
Administrative Consultant

Manion, Wilkins & Associates Ltd. (MANION)
Plan Administration
21 Four Seasons Place, Suite 500
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9B 0A6

For Claims Inquiries: 416-234-3513 Toll Free: 1-800-663-7849
For Prepayment of Premiums: 416-234-3511 Toll Free: 1-866-532-8999
EMAIL: acclaims@manionwilkins.com
FAX: 416-234-0127