FAQ

How Does Sick Pay Work?

As outlined above, UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan Participants have access to up to 2 Sick Pay programs.

Tier 1 Members will only have access to Sick Pay through the UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan. Here is how the UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan works: Each month the hours that you work are credited to your Hour Bank. For every 150 hours accumulated in your Hour Bank, you will be granted a one-half “sick day” credit up to a maximum of 2,100 hours or 7 “sick day” credits. 300 hours will be deducted from your Hour Bank for each full “sick day” paid to you and 150 hours will be deducted for each half-day “sick day” paid to you.

Benefit

For each full day that you are unable to work as a result of an illness, or an accidental nonoccupational injury, the Benefit Plan will pay you:

• $90.00 if your hourly rate of pay is $16.00 or less
• $110.00 if your hourly rate of pay is $16.01 to $20.00
• $130 if your hourly rate of pay is $20.01 or more

For each day that you work less than half of a shift, the Benefit Plan will pay you one-half of the amount noted in the above table (whichever is applicable).

Tier 2 Part-Time Members may have access to Sick Pay through both the Company Plan and the UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan. Here is how the Company Plan works: If you have hours available in your Company Plan your Store Manager will submit your claim to the Company Plan first. If you have no remaining hours in your Company Plan you can submit your claim to the UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan.

How do I download my Benefit Card?

The new UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan Portal provides you with secure and ready access to your Plan information and your Benefit Card. Simply present your Digital Benefit Card to your Health Care Provider or Pharmacist for convenient pay direct claims payment. To print your Card, simply:

• Visit the Westfair Benefit Plan Portal
• Click “Register Here” for first time users, enter your name, birthdate and the last 4 digits of your SIN to verify your identity. Next, provide us with your email and add a password. Only persons eligible for the UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan will be able to register. or “Login” if you have already registered.
• *Your Benefit Card will be available on the right side of your Plan Portal dashboard. Here you will be able to print your Card, add it to your digital wallet, or email it.

How do I use my Benefit Card?

Present your Card to your Health Care Provider or Pharmacist for them to access the electronic pay-direct system. Using your Card allows for immediate claims processing without the need for you or your Health Care Provider to mail in a claim form. Your Provider will let you know if there is any amount owing.

Can claims be paid directly to my provider?

If your Health Care Provider is not currently set up to do so, let PBAS know by submitting a Health Provider contact form on the Public Website or by emailing their contact information to westfair@pbas.ca. Alternatively, you could direct your Health Care Provider to the website for them to submit themselves.

How do I sign up for Direct Deposit?

You can take advantage of direct deposit for your claim reimbursements once you have registered as a Member on the UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan Portal or website and have updated your profile. You will begin to receive reimbursements by direct deposit 2-3 business days after you register. To make this process simple, have a blank cheque or direct deposit form from your bank on hand when you register. These documents include all the information required to set up direct deposit. Your payments can be deposited into a chequing or savings account. If you have another kind of account, please call your financial institution to find out what accounts you can use for direct deposit. Alternatively, you can complete the Direct Deposit form on the Public Website and submit it to PBAS either electronically or by mail. You can change your direct deposit at any time by updating your information under your profile. To remove your direct deposit information, please contact PBAS. Before the payment has been deposited into your account, you will receive an email detailing the payment. This is called an Explanation of Benefits. With normal bank clearing procedures, your payment should be deposited within 2-3 business days.

How are benefits Co-ordinated with another plan (COB)?

If you are eligible for coverage under your spouse’s benefit plan or an alternative plan, the primary benefit plan for you will be this Plan. You can co-ordinate this Plan with another benefit plan to receive maximum coverage. To do this, you must:

• Submit the claim to your primary benefit plan
• Submit the unpaid portion to the secondary benefit plan, including a copy of the Explanation of Benefit (EOB) and a copy of the original claim form.

NOTE: If your spouse has their own benefit plan, then this Plan will be their secondary plan. If your children are covered under both benefit plans, then please first submit your child’s claims to the plan of the parent whose birth month falls earliest in the year (regardless of year of birth). Once the claim is processed, any unpaid portion showing on the related Explanation of Benefits that accompanies the claim reimbursement is, then, submitted to the other parent’s benefit plan for processing.

How do I know when my benefit maximums have been reached?

You can view any remaining coverage under Benefit Balance in the UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan Portal. Can I view my claims payments on the Plan Portal? With the launch of the UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan Portal, all claims paid from launch onwards will display daily so that you always have the most current information about your submitted claims. You will find Claim History information under the Claims section of the UFCW Local 832/Westfair Foods Ltd. Benefit Plan Portal. You have the option to print or download the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for any claim that you have submitted. This document details the claim information and reimbursement issued according to your Plan rules. This information is useful if you must submit it to another plan or for income tax purposes.

Additional questions or feedback?

We welcome your questions, feedback and encourage you to share your suggestions. Plan Participant feedback and suggestions will assist the Trustees and PBAS with the future development and customization of your Plan. Therefore, please take advantage of the Contact us form.