WHO WE ARE

Established to support Canadian forestry workers and their families, the IWA–Forest Industry Pension and LTD Plans provide pension and disability benefits and rehabilitation services to members. The plans are intended to supplement members’ government retirement benefits and provide financial protection in the event of illness and injury. Both plans are a valuable part of members’ financial security in retirement and beyond. These two plans are administered by the Plan Office.

The Plan Office has worked ...

THE PLAN OFFICE

Established to support Canadian forestry workers and their families, the IWA–Forest Industry Pension and LTD Plans provide pension and disability benefits and rehabilitation services to members. The plans are intended to supplement members’ government retirement benefits and provide financial protection in the event of illness and injury. Both plans are a valuable part of members’ financial security in retirement and beyond. These two plans are administered by the Plan Office.

The Plan Office has worked for decades to ensure that members’ benefits are there when they need them. Independent of participating employers and the United Steelworkers union (USW), the Plan Office administers both plans according to their plan texts and manages investments according to the plans’ investment policies.

The Plan Office:
• Collects contributions,
• Invests the assets of the LTD Trust Fund and Pension Trust Fund,
• Processes benefit payments and administers rehabilitation services, and
• Answers questions and guides members.
Jointly funded by employee and employer contributions, the plans truly belong to members and their families. That’s something we, at the Plan Office, never forget.

Through prudent investment strategies and constant oversight, we are rising to today’s challenges and are ready for the future. We work to deliver the returns that will ensure the plans are always there for members and their families. Our members depend on us to manage their benefits and answer their questions—because nobody understands the plans better.

The Plan Office is here to help you. Whenever you’ve got a question about your benefits, contact us first for information and support. You can reach us by phone or email, or visit us in person at the Burnaby office.

LTD PLAN AND REHABILITATION

The IWA–Forest Industry Long Term Disability Plan & Rehabilitation Services was established in 1982 by an agreement between the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) and forest industry employers. The plan provides monthly income benefits, ancillary benefits (MSP, extended health and dental coverage) and rehabilitation services to members who are unable to work due to a long-term illness or injury. Every attempt is made to rehabilitate members and ensure a safe and successful return to work.

Eligible members receive benefits after being disabled for six months and continue to receive benefits until they are no longer disabled, return to work or reach retirement age.

The LTD plan is jointly funded by members and participating employers. Currently, over 400 employers participate in the plan and submit contributions on behalf of 12,000 members. The plan is self-funded, which means that payments are made directly from the LTD Trust Fund and are not covered by an insurance company.

LTD REHABILITATION SERVICES

Rehabilitation counsellors located throughout the province provide rehabilitation counselling and case management services to disabled members. The primary goal is support during recovery from illness or injury. Rehabilitation counsellors also proactively promote an early and safe return to work in the forest industry (or if the disabled member is unable to continue working in the forest industry, to find employment outside the industry).

The LTD plan’s rehabilitation counsellors can also assist disabled members who are unable to return to work on a regular basis to apply for CPP disability benefits. Further assistance is available to members who wish to appeal for CPP disability benefits.

EVERGREEN REHABILITATION MANAGEMENT SOCIETY

Evergreen Rehabilitation Management Society (Evergreen) is a society that provides early rehabilitation services to members during the weekly indemnity (short-term disability) period through contracts with the industry health and welfare plans and other participating employers. Rehabilitation counsellors representing Evergreen assist members in their recovery and re-entry into the workforce. Evergreen’s goal is to help members get back to work as quickly and safely as possible after an injury or illness. As the rehabilitation counsellors are the same for Evergreen and the LTD plan, there is a continuous provision of rehabilitation assistance for those members who transition to LTD from weekly indemnity.

ADJUDICATION – FIDAS

Forest Industry Disability Adjudication Services (FIDAS) is an independent medical adjudication administrator that works directly with members to review, monitor, and approve or deny all LTD claims. Their mission is to provide fair, timely and cost-effective adjudication of members’ claims for LTD benefits. A sub-committee of the board of trustees oversees FIDAS.

LTD PLAN TRUST

The LTD plan established the LTD Plan Trust. It is a fund made up of money that has been contributed to by both employers and employees for LTD benefits. It is governed by a board of trustees and administered by the Plan Office.

PLAN ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE

The LTD plan is administered by the Plan Office and is governed by a board of trustees. Working for decades to ensure that members’ LTD benefits are there when they need them, the Plan Office collects contributions, invests the assets of the LTD Trust Fund, processes benefit payments and administers rehabilitation services, and answers questions and guides members. The board of trustees oversees the administration of the LTD plan, determines benefit levels and sets plan design. Its objective is to optimize the plan’s performance while ensuring that the plan is able to meet its obligations to its members and beneficiaries. The board is required to act independently from the USW and participating forest industry employers, and decisions are always made in the best interest of plan members and beneficiaries.

Disclosure under the Financial Institutions Act (the “act”): As required by the Insurer Exemption Regulation, please be advised that the IWA–Forest Industry LTD Plan is exempt from the regulatory requirements of the act and the plan benefits are not insured by an insurance company under the act.

FAQS

1. What are long term disability benefits?

The IWA–Forest Industry Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan provides a monthly benefit to members who have exhausted their short-term disability benefits or WCB wage loss/income continuity benefits and who are unable to work because of a continuing disability. The plan covers illness and injuries that occur both on and off the job and provides you with income while you are disabled. The LTD plan will provide support while you are recovering and, if appropriate, develop an active rehabilitation program tailored to your individual needs. You will also receive extended health and dental benefits and the LTD plan will pay your MSP premiums.

2. How do I apply for LTD benefits?

Contact the Plan Office. Since each situation is unique, it is best to get in touch with one of our LTD Benefits Coordinators. They can determine if you are eligible to make a claim, and give you the information you need to apply for LTD benefits. For ways to reach us, click contact us.

3. Once my claim is approved, when will I start receiving LTD payments?

LTD payments will start once we have received proof of your last payment of Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits from Employment and Social Development Canada, or a rejection letter stating that you are not entitled to EI sickness benefits.

If your LTD claim is filed late (more than 90 days following the expiration of your qualification period), trustee approval may be required before your claim is accepted. This could cause a delay in the processing of your claim.

4.  Once my claim is approved, when will my ancillary benefits coverage begin?

Dental, extended health and provincial medical (MSP in BC) coverage will start the first day of the month which follows your LTD eligibility date. If your eligibility date falls on the first of the month, your ancillary benefits would start on that day. Late filing rules also apply here, as explained in the answer above.

5. If my WCB wage loss/income continuity payments have ended, how do I get an LTD application kit?

First, contact the Plan Office. We will require a letter of termination from WCB confirming the start and end dates of your wage loss/income continuity benefits. If you have been pensioned by WCB, we would also require the details of your pension award.

6. When are LTD payments made?

Once a month, on the last banking date of the month.

7. How long can I receive LTD benefits?

As long as you remain disabled under the terms of the LTD plan and meet all requirements of the LTD Plan, your benefits continue. Your benefits will terminate no later than the month of your 60th birthday. There are some special circumstances under which members over age 60 can apply for and receive LTD benefits for a maximum of one year. In no case would LTD benefits be paid beyond age 65. Please contact our office for further information.

8. Do I receive extra money if I have dependents?

No.

9. If I get a CPP disability pension or WCB pension, will that affect my LTD payment?

Yes. Any CPP disability benefit or WCB pension payment are deducted from your gross LTD benefit.

10. Can I have my LTD payments deposited directly into my bank account?

Yes. To do this, download and complete a direct deposit authorization form and return it to the Plan Office, along with a personalized void cheque. Once we have processed your request, your next payment will be by direct deposit. If your direct deposit form is received after the 15th of the month, you will have to wait another month before the switch will be made from cheque to direct deposit.

11. Am I able to change the amount of tax deducted from my payment?

Yes. Please download, complete and return the current TD1 personal tax credits return form to the Plan Office. The minimum tax rate is 10%, as stipulated by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

12. What is the highest dollar amount I could receive as an LTD payment each month?

Effective July 11, 2016, the maximum gross monthly payment is $2,300, less any applicable offsets (for example, CPP Disability benefit or WCB awards; plus taxes withheld).

13. Why is my monthly LTD benefit different from what a friend of mine gets?

Your LTD benefit entitlement depends on various factors, including your date of disability, your LTD eligibility date and the contribution rate paid by your employer.

14. Does the LTD plan help with my rehabilitation and return to work plans?

Yes, please contact the Plan Office and you will be connected with the rehabilitation counsellor for your region.

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