IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PLAN DEADLINES For COBRA ELECTIONS
March 30, 2021
In accordance with DOL and IRS guidance, the Cement and Concrete Workers District
Council Welfare Fund has extended certain plan deadlines due to COVID-19
pandemic.
As a result, a period of time called the "outbreak period" is not counted when determining
a participant's deadline to elect and pay for COBRA in the Welfare Plan or notify the Welfare Plan of a COBRA qualifying event. The "outbreak period" started March 1, 2020 and will end 60 days after the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency, which is ongoing.
In late February, the DOL announced that the maximum period of time that will be disregarded when determining each individual's deadline will be one year. Here are some examples of how it works:
Example 1: Assume you lost coverage under the Welfare Plan, were eligible for COBRA coverage starting March 1, 2020, your normal 60-day deadline for electing COBRA coverage was April 29, 2020, and your normal 45-day deadline for paying your initial COBBRA premium was May 15, 2020. You will have until April 29, 2021 to make your election for COBRA coverage and until May 15, 2021 to make your payment for coverage, both retroactive to March 1, 2020. This will be the case even if the outbreak period lasts longer.
Example 2: Assume you lost coverage under the Welfare Plan, were eligible for COBRA coverage starting September 1, 2020 and your normal 60-day deadline for electing COBRA coverage was October 30, 2020. You will have until October 30, 2021 to make your election for coverage retroactive to September 1, 2020, unless the outbreak period ends before October 30, 2021.
For Vacation Fund Direct Deposit Forms,
Make sure to attach the proper documentation when returning your form either by email, US mail or fax.
Please Note: Handwritten Account/Routing Numbers will not be accepted.
*IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR EMPIRE ID CARDS*
AUTHORIZATION FOR VACATION DIRECT DEPOSIT FORMS
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING COBRA
Your Local
Services
In the next few weeks, Empire will be sending new ID cards to members currently covered under the Welfare Fund. Due to a recent New York State insurance card regulation, the phrase "self-funded coverage" must appear on the Fund's ID cards.
This is a required administrative change only.
THERE IS NO CHANGE IN YOUR BENEFITS PROVIDED BY EMPIRE !