WIP Committee Archives - Page 4 of 8

WIP – Continuation Of Coverage During Absence From Work

Lisa Raymond on August 12, 2021

This is a reminder that in the event you take a Leave of Absence the following procedures apply:

Prepayment of premiums is not required for an absence from the payroll of fifteen (15) calendar days or less. Prepayment of premiums is required for an absence from the payroll of sixteen (16) or more calendar days for one of the following reasons. You must prepay the required premium in full within 45 (forty-five) 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.

2. Lay-off: your coverage may be continued for a maximum duration of up to six (6) months. Should you become disabled during the six-month period, you will not be eligible for benefit consideration unless you are recalled from lay-off status.

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;

3. Suspension: your coverage may be continued for the duration of your suspension.

If you have elected to keep your coverage in force and should you be eligible for benefit consideration, the elimination period will begin on the date you are recalled to work;

4. Strike or lockout: your coverage will be suspended during the strike or lockout but will be reinstated once the strike or lockout has ended and you have returned to active work.

If you are in receipt of disability benefits under the contract before the strike or lock-out, benefits shall continue during the strike or lock-out.

Should you become totally disabled during a strike or lockout, you will not be eligible for benefit consideration.

Should you not prepay the required premium, your coverage will lapse and will not become effective until you return to full-time active work as a flight attendant.

To ensure continued coverage for up to 24 months (six (6) months during a lay-off), you must make the first required premium payment within 45 days from the commencement of the leave of absence. The date payment is received by MANION will determine your on time payment.

For more information regarding prepayment of premiums or to make arrangements for prepayment of premiums, please contact MANION by phone at 416-234-3511 or toll free at 1-866-532-8999.

VACATION
If you are on vacation and become disabled, the 7-day elimination period commences following the date first not available for work at the completion of your vacation.

If your leave of absence of 16 (sixteen) or more calendar days precedes your vacation and you have not prepaid the premium for that leave of absence, coverage will not be reinstated until you return to active work.

No prepayment of premiums is required when you are absent from work due to vacation or a personal leave of absence of 15 (fifteen) calendar days or less.

Please contact Manion’s contact centre for applicable rates at 1-866-532-8999. This must be done within 45 days of the commencement of the Leave of Absence. The cost is based on the previous 3 months earnings plus 1.07% (the Employer’s portion) plus applicable taxes.

Note: Please ensure you have reviewed Collective Agreement language when LOA’s precede days off and any consequences that follow.

The SSQ Wage Indemnity Policy Booklet can be found on the Air Canada Component of CUPE website at www.accomponent.ca and is what each member ought to rely on. Alternatively if you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Administrative Consultant.

On Behalf of The Board of Trust,

Stephen Morash
Administrative Consultant

Manion, Wilkins & Associates
Plan Administration
626-21 Four Seasons Place
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9B 0A6

Switchboard: 416-234-5044
Toll Free Line: 1-800-663-7849
Fax: 416-234-0127
Contact Centre: 1-866-532-8999

WIP – Maternity EI Top Up & Wage Indemnity

Lisa Raymond on July 23, 2021

(This applies to Air Canada Mainline only)

Top-Up Benefit
Your Wage Indemnity Plan includes a provision offering disability benefits for the health related portion of your Maternity Leave Of Absence (MATLOA). These benefits will supplement the Maternity Benefits you claim through Employment Insurance following the one (1) week waiting period, and will be calculated based on your earnings prior to your MATLOA.

Employment Insurance – EI and WIP Top-Up
The current 2021 maximum rate for EI weekly benefits is $595.00 per week. If 60% of your pre-disability earnings were $695.00 per week, you would then be entitled to claim the difference of $100.00 per week after a one (1) week waiting period. The benefit period is defined as follows:

– 6 weeks for a normal delivery (1 week waiting period – 5 week top-up)
– 8 weeks for a caesarean birth (1 week waiting period – 7 week top-up)

Quebec Parental Insurance Plan – QPIP
For Members in Quebec who apply for QPIP and receive benefits, it is doubtful that you will qualify for any top-up from your WIP Plan as QPIP payments are higher and based on 70-75% of your pre-disability earnings, while WIP is at 60%. However, your eligibility can be confirmed by contacting the Plan Administrator or the undersigned once you receive notice of the QPIP applicable rate of pay.

Continuation of Coverage During Absence From Work, MATLOA – IMPORTANT TO READ
Prepayment of premiums is not required for an absence from the payroll of fifteen (15) calendar days or less. Prepayment of premiums is required for an absence from the payroll of sixteen (16) or more calendar days. You must prepay the required premium in full within forty-five (45) days from the start of your leave in order to be eligible. The same rule applies for MATLOA Top-Up benefit consideration.

NOTE: The examples below addresses your eligibility for MAT Top Up only. If you wish to ensure coverage is in place following the termination of your MAT LOA you must prepay the entire Leave of Absence. Please click HERE for full details of Continuation of Coverage During Absence from Work.

For example:

If you start your MATLOA sixteen (16) days prior to the delivery of your baby, you are required to pre-pay your premiums within the forty-five (45) days from the start of your leave as noted above to qualify for the MATLOA top-up benefit.

If you worked up to the birth of your child without absence from the payroll, as noted above, no prepayment is required.

If you were booked off and were on, and in receipt of WIP benefits until the delivery date, you are not required to prepay. The same would apply if you were on any other approved program such as WCB/WSIB.

If you booked off sick, and delivered within those fourteen (14) days, no prepayment is required.

To access the claim form for this benefit click HERE. It is the responsibility of each member to complete and return the form with the applicable EI stubs to confirm receipt of EI benefits to our Plan Administrator following the birth.

Manion Wilkins & Associates Ltd.
626 – 21 Four Seasons Place
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9B 0A5

Midwives and Medical Absence Following Childbirth
SSQ, the insurer has determined that from a claims practice perspective, they will accept documentation from an appropriately registered and certified midwife when approving the medical portion of the maternity leave. The medical portion is for the six (6) weeks after a vaginal delivery only. A Physician (MD) must be involved for a c-section. The rationale here is that the Insurer requires verification that the birth happened and midwives can provide that for the six (6) week vaginal delivery.

SSQ and the Administrator, Manion, Wilkins will not accept medical from midwives for complicated pregnancies, or anything beyond a six week medical absence following childbirth. In accordance to the Policy Provisions, members claiming WIP “must see a physician (MD) within the 14 day qualifying period in order to qualify for benefits commencing on the 15th day of your disability”.

On Behalf of The Board of Trust,

Stephen Morash
Administrative Consultant

NOTE: All Policy Booklet information can be accessed on the Air Canada Component of CUPE web site www.accomponent.ca or on the mobile App.

Manion, Wilkins & Associates
Plan Administration
626-21 Four Seasons Place
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9B 0A6

Switchboard: 416-234-5044
Toll Free Line: 1-800-663-7849
Fax: 416-234-0127
Contact Centre: 1-866-532-8999

Pre-payment of your WIP Contributions

Lisa Raymond on January 27, 2021

(This applies to Air Canada Mainline only)

As a result of additional mitigation offerings, Members who wish to participate in the Continuation of Coverage During Absence From Work that exceeds sixteen (16) or more calendar days must pre-pay within 45 days from the commencement of ANY Leave of Absence as follows:

Prepayments are to ensure your WIP coverage is in place once you RETURN to active work following any leave of absence. WIP Benefits are NOT payable while you are on the leave.

ACTIVE WORK, ACTIVELY AT WORK means the performance of the regular duties of your own occupation in accordance with the regular work schedule.

It does not include periods during which you are undergoing training mandated by the Ministry of Transport or the employer, or while on vacation, IMMS, or any other non-pre-paid form of leave.

Layoff
Your coverage may be continued for a maximum duration of up to six (6) months. Should you become disabled during the six-month period, you WILL NOT be eligible for benefit consideration unless you are recalled from layoff status.

Leave of absence granted Personal
Personal, educational, maternity, childcare, 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.

1. Any member who is in receipt of Short Term WIP or Long Term WIP does not have to prepay.

2. Any member who is in receipt of Workers compensation does not have to prepay.

Your Cost
Please click HERE to view the attached generic calculation of prepayments.
Contact Centre and Payment Options
Manion’s contact centre number is 1-866-532-8999
– press 1 for Plan Members.
– press 5 for Coverage and Eligibility, you will then be connected to an agent.

If you have additional questions, please contact the undersigned.

If you have additional questions, please email Stephen Morash at s.morash@accomponent.ca.

On Behalf of The Board of Trust,

Stephen Morash
Administrative Consultant

NOTE: All Policy Booklet information can be accessed on the Air Canada Component of CUPE web site www.accomponent.ca.

Manion, Wilkins & Associates
Plan Administration
626-21 Four Seasons Place
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9B 0A6

Switchboard: 416-234-5044
Toll Free Line: 1-800-663-7849
Fax: 416-234-0127
Contact Centre: 1-866-532-8999

WIP – Top Up Reminder – Reduced Block Program 2021

Lisa Raymond on January 26, 2021

(This applies to Air Canada Mainline only)

As a result of additional mitigation offerings, the Reduced Block Program (RBP) will continue to be offered to members who wish to Top-Up their earnings in the event that they are unable to return to full duties at the end of the RBP due to an unforeseen disability. The Request and Payment must be completed within 45 days of the commencement of the Reduced Block Program.

Members participating in the Reduced Block Program have the option to top-up their WIP insurable earnings at a flat rate of 35 hours per month. The Top Up is only applicable in the event that you become totally disabled from doing your job at the TERMINATION of the RBP. No Top-up applies during the RBP. If you continue to be disabled after the termination of your RBP, top-up would then take effect and your earnings would be calculated using the additional 35-hour top up.

EXAMPLE – 1
Using the February block month as the commencement of the RBP and May block month as the termination of the RBP, earnings are based on the average of your previous 3 months Earnings as reported by the Employer. NOTE, the block month in which you book off is not part of the calculation.

Therefore, if you Book Off in the April block Month, your average 3 month earnings will be based on the January block month, 75 hours, February block month, 40 hours, and March block month, 40 hours. If you if continue to remain disabled into the June block month, your 35-hour top up hours will be added to your monthly WIP benefit.

EXAMPLE – 2
Using the February block month as the commencement of the RBP and May block month as the termination of your RBP, earnings are based on the average of your previous 3 months Earnings as reported by the Employer. NOTE, the block month in which you book off is not part of the calculation.

Therefore, if you Book Off in the June block Month, your average 3 months earnings will be based on the March block month, 40 hours, April block month, 40 hours and May block month, 40 hours flying pay plus your 35 hours of top up.

Payment Calculation
The 35-hour top up is based on your hourly rate x 2.30%, members contribution plus the Employer’s cost of 1.07% as well as applicable taxes.

Please NOTE – January Earnings are not available until Mid-February; therefore, you may not receive the RBP cost until closer to the end of the month of February 2021. As long as your request has been requested within the 45 days, your submission will be honored.

Contact Centre and Payment Options
Manion’s contact centre number is 1-866-532-8999
– press 1 for Plan Members.
– press 5 for Coverage and Eligibility, you will then be connected to an agent.

If you have additional questions, please contact the undersigned.

On Behalf of The Board of Trust,

Stephen Morash
Administrative Consultant

NOTE: All Policy Booklet information can be accessed on the Air Canada Component of CUPE web site www.accomponent.ca.

Manion, Wilkins & Associates
Plan Administration
626-21 Four Seasons Place
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9B 0A6

Switchboard: 416-234-5044
Toll Free Line: 1-800-663-7849
Fax: 416-234-0127
Contact Centre: 1-866-532-8999

WIP – Top Up Reminder – Reduced Block Program 2020

Lisa Raymond on August 27, 2020

The Reduced Block Program will continue to be offered to members who wish to Top-Up their earnings in the event that they are unable to return to full duties at the end of the RBP due to an unforeseen disability. The Request and Payment must be completed within 45 days of the commencement of the Reduced Block Program.

Members participating in the Reduced Block Program have the option to top-up their WIP insurable earnings at a flat rate of 35 hours per month. The Top-Up is only applied in the event that you become disabled at the conclusion of the RBP. NOTE: No Top-Up applies during the RBP, it only comes into play at the conclusion of your RBP, and if you continue to be disabled, your top-up would then take effect and your earnings would be calculated using the following example:

Book Off – March 2020 – earnings based on Dec 2019/Jan 2020/Feb 2020 flying pay.
Dec flying hours – 38
Jan flying hours – 36
Feb flying hours – 34

For the three months, December, January and February, your 3 month average flying hours would be equal to 36 hours. You would be paid 36 hours through to the termination of your RBP in 2020 as long as you continue to meet the definition of totally disabled from your own occupation as a Flight Attendant. If you remain disabled and continue to qualify for benefits beyond the termination of the RBP, and if you opted to top-up, based on the calculation below, your disability payments would go from 36 hours to 71 hours per month.

The top up for the RBP is 35 hours, and is based on your hourly rate x 2.30% plus the Employer’s cost of 1.07% as well as applicable taxes.

Please contact Manion to make prepayment arrangements. NOTE: this is only for Air Canada MAINLINE members.

Please communicate with Manion’s contact centre for RBP rates. This must be done within 45 days of the commencement of the RBP.

Contact Centre
1-866-532-8999 is the contact centre number.
press 1 for Plan Members.
press 5 for Coverage and Eligibility, you will then be connected to an agent.

If you have additional questions, please contact the undersigned.

On Behalf of The Board of Trust,

Stephen Morash
Administrative Consultant

NOTE: All Policy Booklet information can be accessed on the Air Canada Component of CUPE web site www.accomponent.ca or on the mobile App.

Manion, Wilkins & Associates
Plan Administration
626-21 Four Seasons Place
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9B 0A6

Switchboard: 416-234-5044
Toll Free Line: 1-800-663-7849
Fax: 416-234-0127
Contact Centre: 1-866-532-8999

WIP – Continuation Of Coverage During Absence From Work

WIP – Maternity EI Top Up & Wage Indemnity

Pre-payment of your WIP Contributions

WIP – Top Up Reminder – Reduced Block Program 2021

WIP – Top Up Reminder – Reduced Block Program 2020

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