Welfare Benefit

When a lack of hours threatens your health insurance coverage, SASMI will make payments to your local union health plan on your behalf to continue coverage for you and your family. Note that SASMI does not pay to establish eligibility.

How Does This Benefit Work?

SASMI will pay your local union health plan the difference between the minimum hours required to continue health insurance and the number of hours credited to you by the plan for the month. This benefit also applies to health plans that use a dollar bank to keep track of coverage eligibility.

SASMI will make payments for up to 18 months if you are not permanently disabled. Payments to your local union health plan can’t exceed the maximum amount payable as an Unemployment/Underemployment Benefit—which is 190 hours times the applicable wage rate.

Benefits SASMI pays to your local union’s health fund will not reduce the amount of any SASMI Unemployment and Underemployment Benefit you receive. To receive your benefit, your local welfare plan must file an application for reimbursement with SASMI.

Benefit if You’re Changing Locals

If you’re working to gain eligibility in a new plan, SASMI will consider payment to maintain your eligibility while you’re re-establishing eligibility in another local.

Benefit for Survivors

Should you pass away while an active member, SASMI will consider payments to your surviving spouse and eligible dependents for a period of up to 18 months.

Applying for the Welfare Benefit

To get the Welfare Benefit, contact your local union. They will certify your eligibility, apply for the benefit through SASMI on your behalf, and bill SASMI directly for payment if you do not have enough hours to maintain your health insurance coverage. You can check the status of your application on the member portal.

To be eligible, you must be threatened with underemployment in your home local but available to work, seeking employment in the sheet metal industry, and receiving or are eligible to receive state unemployment compensation.

If Your Claim for the Welfare Benefit Is Denied

If your request for the Welfare Benefit is denied, it may be because:

• You didn’t meet the eligibility requirements,
• You received benefits for two benefit periods. You are not eligible for either the third or the fourth period of benefit unless you worked at least 10% of the applicable group hours in the previous stabilization period (or have a verified disability), or
• You’ve already received benefits from SASMI equal to or more than the 200% of the contributions paid by your employer.