This benefit applies only to the Participant. This benefit is referred to as the “Weekly Benefit for Illness or Injury” or “Weekly Disability Benefits”.

General Information
If you are disabled and unable to work as a result of a illness or injury, which does not arise out of or in the course of employment (non-occupational/not work related), you may be entitled to a weekly benefit up to $450 for a maximum of 52 weeks.  For treatment of an illness or sickness, the benefit will start on the eighth (8th) day after you first become disabled and are unable to work. However, if you are continuously disabled for four (4) weeks or longer, benefits are payable beginning with the first full day of such disability. In the case of a non-work-related accident, benefits will start on the first full day of the disability.
 
What is a Disability?
A disability is a physical or mental condition that results in you being unable to perform the duties of your occupation. To qualify for this benefit you must be under the active care of a licensed physician during the entire period of your disability. You may also be required to submit to an examination by a physician selected by the Fund to verify your disability. If requested, the cost of the examination will be paid for by the Fund.
 
Maximum Benefit Period
A maximum of 52 weeks of sickness and accident benefits are payable for any single disability. For the purpose of this Plan, subsequent disabilities occurring in any 12-month period of time will be considered as one and the same claim and only the maximum benefit of 52 weeks will be payable.
 
A new disability claim will only begin if the following two criteria are met:

• A subsequent disability is due to an accident and/or sickness unrelated to the previous disability; and
• Is separated by a return to work for at least 200 hours of covered employment with one or more employers.

If a subsequent disability is caused by a sickness related to a previous sickness you must provide proof that you have recovered from the previous sickness and remained non-disabled for a period of at least 12 consecutive months before you can qualify for a new benefit.
 
Filing a Weekly Illness and Injury Claim
You must file a written claim and your physician must certify your disability in order to receive Weekly Sickness and Accident Benefits. Please contact the Participant Services Dept. at the Fund Office and request a claim form for weekly benefits or click here to download and print the Medical Disability Claim Form.
 
For Weekly Sickness and Accident claims, the Fund reserves the right to have a physician selected by the Fund examine you (at the Fund’s expense) as often as is reasonable is your claim for benefits is pending.
 
Federal and Social Security Withholding
Federal law requires Social Security taxes to be withheld from your Weekly Sickness and Accident Benefit check. Federal income tax may be withheld at your option upon request to the Fund Office.
 
Retirement – Termination of Weekly Disability Benefits
If you retire, your weekly benefits terminate. If you retire under the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Pension Plan or the Chicago Regional Council of Millmen Pension Plan you are not eligible to receive more than six (6) days of Weekly Illness and Injury Benefits in any month in which you receives your first monthly benefit payment under either pension plan. In addition, you will not be eligible to receive any further Weekly Disability Benefits.