Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. When do I become eligible for benefits?
    A. You must work a minimum of 650 clock hours in covered employment, or its equivalent, in any consecutive six (6) month period to be eligible for the coverage provided by the Fund. You will become a Participant as of the 1st of the month following the date you became eligible for coverage. Your Eligible Dependents will become eligible on the later of the date that you become a Participant, or the date (s)he becomes an Eligible Dependent.  If you have a new Eligible Dependent as a result of marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption (a “Change Event”), you must register the new Dependent with the Fund office  within 30 days after the Change Event.

    You must provide copies of your marriage certificate, your Eligible Dependents’ birth certificates and their Social Security cards in order for your Eligible Dependents to be eligible to receive benefits.

    Eligible Dependent(s) will not be covered for claims arising more than 30 days prior the date you registered the Dependent(s) with the Fund office.

  • Q. Who are “Eligible Dependents”?
    A.”Eligible Dependents” are your spouse and children (including stepchildren), provided that your child’s coverage will terminate on the last day of the year in which (s)he attains age 26. Coverage will, however, continue for an unmarried mentally or physically handicapped child who has attained age 26, but only if (s)he became so incapacitated while an Eligible Dependent and is incapable of self-sustaining employment.

  • Q. When do my Eligible Dependent(s) become eligible to receive the Fund’s coverage?
    A.Your Eligible Dependents become eligible on the later of (i) the date that you become a Participant or (ii) the date (s)he becomes an Eligible Dependent.  If you have a new Eligible Dependent as a result of marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption (a “Change Event”), you must register the new Dependent with the Fund office  within 30 days after the Change Event.

    You must provide copies of your marriage certificate, your Eligible Dependents’ birth certificates and their Social Security cards in order for your Eligible Dependents to be eligible to receive benefits.

    Eligible Dependent(s) will not be covered for claims arising more than 30 days prior the date you registered the Dependent(s) with the Fund office.

  • Q. May I enroll my grandchild or foster child as an Eligible Dependent?
    A. You may enroll your dependent grandchild or foster child if you are financially responsible for the child under the terms of a court order. You must submit a copy of the court order (along with a copy of his/her birth certificate and Social Security card) to the Fund office when enrolling the child.
  • Q. How many hours do I have to work in order to continue my coverage once I become eligible?
    A.You must work at least 700 hours if you are covered by Plan A or at least 800 hours if you are covered by Plan B during the six month periods beginning on the Saturday after the last Friday of December and of June each year to maintain your coverage.
  • Q. How do I know whether I am in Plan A or Plan B?
    A. Your participation in Plan A or Plan B is determined under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement under which you are covered. Call the Fund Office if you have any questions.
  • Q. How and when may I add a dependent to my coverage?
    A. Dependents can be registered for coverage when you are eligible to receive benefits. If you have a new Eligible Dependent as a result of marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption (a “Change Event”), you must register the new Dependent with the Fund office within 30 days after the Change Event. When registering Eligible Dependents, you must provide copies of your marriage certificate, your Eligible Dependents’ birth certificates and their Social Security cards. Eligible Dependent(s) will not be covered for claims arising more than 30 days prior the date you registered the Dependent(s) with the Fund office.
  • Q. I am getting divorced. When does coverage end for my former spouse? Can I continue to cover my former spouse as my dependent after the divorce?
    A. Coverage will end as of the date your judgment of divorce is entered. You may be held liable for any claims paid by the Fund on behalf of your former spouse in error as a result of your failure to notify the Fund office of the entry of the divorce judgment. A former spouse cannot be covered as your Eligible Dependent. Your former spouse can, however, continue his/her coverage for up to 36 months after termination of coverage by electing COBRA continuation coverage.
  • Q. Can my (non-handicapped) child continue coverage once (s)he attains age 26?
    A. Your child can continue his/her coverage for up to 60 months by electing COBRA continuation coverage.
  • Q. How can I continue my coverage if I don’t work a sufficient number of hours?
    A. If you do not accumulate at least 700 hours (if you are covered by Plan A) or 800 hours (if you are covered by Plan B) during the six month periods beginning on the Saturday after the last Friday of December and of June each year, you can continue your coverage by paying the amount equal to the number of hours needed to meet the 700/800 hours requirement multiplied by the average Journeyman’s Fund contribution rate stated in the Inside Construction Agreement. The Fund Office will send you an invoice for your self-pay coverage.
  • Q. Can I elect to continue only part of my self-pay coverage (ex., medical only)?
    A. No. You cannot chose to cover only parts of your self-pay coverage.
  • Q. How can I continue my coverage if I become disabled?
    A. You will be credited with a maximum of 7 hours for each day of sickness or disability for which you qualify for Supplemental Loss of Time Benefits. You can self-pay coverage if you have insufficient hours to continue your coverage. You may also elect COBRA continuation coverage in the event that your coverage is terminated.
  • Q. How do I qualify for retiree coverage?

    A. In order to qualify for retiree coverage, you must be covered by Plan A coverage and must have accrued at least 25 years of Credited Service in the I.B.E.W. Local 25 Pension Fund. (20 years if you are age 61 or older at the time of retirement or have received a Social Security Total Disability Award dated on or after October 1, 2008.)

    In addition, you must have been covered under Plan A and/or Plan B for (i) at least 5 years within the jurisdiction of Local 25, I.B.E.W. during the 10-year period immediately prior to retirement and (ii) at least 5 or more continuous years immediately prior to retirement. COBRA coverage does not count as coverage for purposes of determining eligibility for retiree coverage.