Benefits - Health and Welfare Plan

(Salary)

Long Term Disability

Coverage Description
Should you remain totally Disabled before reaching age 65 and are thus unable to work in any occupation, you may be eligible to receive a monthly Benefit through the Long Term Disability (LTD) plan. You must be under Regular Medical Care - as determined by the Trustees of the Plan - to receive LTD Benefits.

The amount of your LTD Benefit is the lesser of $6,000 or 66 2/3 % of your Average Monthly Earnings

When LTD Benefits Begin
If you remain totally Disabled, you will be eligible to apply for LTD Benefits after the Qualification period which is defined as the later of the following:

  • the expiration of 52 weeks of wage loss or income continuance payments from the Workers' Compensation Board;

  • the receipt of 52 weeks of WI Benefits; or

  • a combination of the above amounting to 52 weeks.

When LTD Benefits End
LTD Benefit payments generally continue until the earliest of the following:

  • the day you cease to be Disabled;

  • the day you fail to provide requested written proof of disability;

  • the date you refuse to consent to or cease to participate in an approved rehabilitation, education or training program;

  • the date you complete an approved rehabilitation, education or training program;

  • the first day of the month coincident with or next following your 65th birthday; or

  • the day of your death.

Definition of Disability
You will qualify for LTD Benefits if, at the end of your Qualification Period, you are unable to:

  • engage in any occupation or employment that is reasonably comparable to your predisability occupation in reward and for which you are reasonably qualified by education, training or experience;

  • engage in your predisability occupation but with rehabilitation you can return to your predisability occupation; Benefits may be paid for a maximum of 24 months; or

  • engage in your predisability occupation but with rehabilitation you can return to some other occupation; Benefits may be paid for a maximum of 24 months.

If the Trustees determine that it is possible for you to be educated or trained to be able to engage in some occupation other than your normal occupation, you must agree to and participate in an education or training program as designated by the Trustees or you may not qualify for LTD Benefits.

Integration with Other Benefits
Once you begin to receive LTD Benefits, if you have additional earnings from other sources, your monthly LTD payments may be reduced. Examples of reductions to LTD Benefits include:

  • any disability income for the same disability from any government plan including the Canada Pension Plan;

  • the amount of any disability Benefits payable for the same disability under the Workers' Compensation Act or similar law;

  • any amount payable to you as a disability Benefit for the same disability under any other disability income Benefit from any employer;

  • any amount payable to you from the Interior Lumbermen's Pension Plan;

  • any compensation you may receive pursuant to any statute or regulation as a result of any legal action in which you are involved;

  • 50% of any approved rehabilitative earnings;

  • the amount of any other employment earnings; and

  • the amount payable under the Criminal Injury Compensation Act.

Reimbursement to the Plan
If your injury or Illness is attributed to a third party, you will be required to pursue a claim against the third party, sign a reimbursement agreement and reimburse the Plan. You are also required to sign a reimbursement agreement and reimburse the Plan where Benefits are extended to you, subject to claims you have made with CPP or WCB.

Recurrence of a Disability
If you recover while receiving LTD Benefits and return to work, but the same disability recurs, it will be considered a continuation of the previous disability only if the period between disabilities is less than six months.

Limitations and Exclusions
The Plan has various limitations and exclusions. Some examples of items generally excluded from coverage are:

  • disability absences due to drug or alcohol addiction (unless you are participating in an approved treatment program);

  • disability absences as a result of self-inflicted injury, committing an unlawful act, or any act of war; or

  • disability absences as a result of any occupational Illness or injury; or

  • any pre-existing condition.

If you have any questions regarding coverage, we recommend that you check with the Administration Office.

Termination of Coverage
LTD coverage typically terminates at the end of your working hours on the day you cease to be an Employee or in which Regular Full-Time Employment ends.

FIA Disclosure

The Interior Lumbermen's Health and Welfare Plan exists for the sole purpose of providing employee life and health benefits to eligible members and their covered dependents. The Plan is not an insurance company, and the extended health, dental, weekly indemnity and long-term disability benefits provided through the Plan are not insured by an insurance company regulated under the British Columbia Financial Institutions Act or the Alberta Insurance Act  The Plan is exempt from the regulatory requirements of both these statutes.