Eligibility

If you’re an active member, you may be eligible for a benefit from SASMI once you complete one of the following:

• 1,200 hours within 12 consecutive months; or
• 2,000 hours within 24 consecutive months; or
• 2,800 hours in any period of time before losing eligibility

If you lose eligibility, you’ll need to meet these initial eligibility requirements again to be eligible for a benefit from SASMI.

For eligibility details, please watch this quick video.

Stabilization Periods

Benefits are processed using two periods each year:

• Period A: January – June
• Period B: July – December

Recycling Eligibility

If your eligibility ends after receiving benefits in one, two or three Stabilization Periods, you can regain it by meeting the initial eligibility requirements again.

Important

Hours worked during a period when you receive Supplemental Unemployment, Underemployment, or Welfare Benefits do not count toward reestablishing eligibility.

Group Hours

Each Local Union is assigned a group based on average hours worked. This determines the number of group hours members in your local are expected to work each stabilization period.

If you involuntarily work fewer than your group hours, you may be eligible for an unemployment or underemployment benefit from SASMI.

Benefit Limits

100% Rule

You cannot receive SASMI benefits for an amount that is more than what your employer has contributed to SASMI on your behalf. This is called the 100% rule. This applies to:

• Annual Physical Benefit
• Sick Leave Benefit
• Active Death Benefit

These benefits do not count toward recycling eligibility.

200% Rule

Deduct benefits not subject to the 100% Rule are subject to the 200% Rule. This means that, in general, you cannot receive SASMI benefits that equal more than 200% of the contributions received on your behalf. This rule does not apply until you have received Benefits of at least $20,000.

These benefits do count toward recycling eligibility.

Deduct vs. Non-Deduct Benefits

Deduct Benefits

Deduct benefits count toward eligibility limits and future benefit calculations.

• Supplemental Unemployment/Underemployment
• Maternity
• Sick Leave
• Welfare
• Active HRA

Non-Deduct Benefits

These benefits don’t count toward 100% or 200% limits and do not have an impact on future benefit calculations.

• Annual Physical Benefit
• Work Boots Benefit