UA Local 447 Pipe Trades Trust Funds

Initial Eligibility	Eligibility for participants is based on specific types of hours worked under the bargaining agreement. To initially establish eligibility you need 375 hours of covered work within a 6 month period.

Dependent Eligibility	A Dependent of an Eligible Employee becomes eligible at the same time that the Employee becomes eligible, or the date the Dependent is acquired, if later.

Lag Month	Because the Trust office needs to process the contributions sent in by your employer, there is a lag month between the month your accumulated hours reach 375 and the month your eligibility begins. So, if you reach 375 hours for initial eligibility in April, then your coverage will begin on June 1st.

Maintaining Eligibility	After you establish initial eligibility, you must work at least 135 hours per month to remain covered.

Reserve Hour Bank	The hour bank helps to keep you covered during months when you work less than 135 hours. Each month after that, if you work more than 135 hours, anything worked over 135 hours will be added to your hour bank. If you work less than 135 hours and you have sufficient hours in your hour bank, hours will be withdrawn from the hour bank to make up the 135 hours needed for continued eligibility. The maximum number of hours you can save up in your hour bank is 810. Please note the hour bank is not available if the Employer is contributing on your behalf under a "flat rate" contract.

Losing Coverage	Your coverage will end when the combined sum of your worked hours and/or your hour bank is less than the 135 required for continued coverage. Other, less common, reasons for termination of eligibility can be found in the SPD.

Extended Coverage	When you lose coverage you may be able to make payments under the COBRA provisions of the Pan to continue coverage for a limited time. If your loss of coverage is due to unemployment and you remain on the out-of-work list at Local 447, you may be allowed to purchase subsidized extended coverage (health and prescription only) for up to 12 months. Other extensions of coverage may apply under the Family Leave Act, for certain types of military service, or for disability. See the Extended Coverage section of the SPD for additional information.

Reinstatement	You have 12 months after you lose coverage to reinstate without having to reestablish initial eligibility. To reinstate, you need to work 135 hours within one month. Keep in mind that the lag month applies when you reinstate eligibility. So, if you work the 135 hours to reinstate in the months of August, your coverage will begin again on October 1st.