To participate in this Plan, you must (1) work within the jurisdiction of Local 5 of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada, (2) be a full-time officer or Employee of Local 5 or of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Fund, or (3) otherwise satisfy the requirements established by the Trustees.  Initial Eligibility

You are eligible for Plan benefits on the first day of the second month after you have worked 750 hours in Covered Employment. These hours must be worked within no more than a nine (9) consecutive month period.  You are then eligible for at least three months before you must satisfy additional employment requirements for continued coverage.  There are also special eligibility rules for participants who are working under a Newly Organized Group classification. Please refer to the SPD or contact the Fund Office for the Newly Organized Group rules.

If you do not work for at least 300 hours in Covered Employment during a Work Quarter, coverage for you and your Dependents under this Plan automatically terminates at the end of the current Eligibility Quarter. If you were previously eligible, the Fund provides a Reserve Account (hours bank), Unemployment Set-Aside Account, and special coverage provisions if you are Disabled. Self-pay and COBRA options are also offered. Please refer to the SPD or contact the Fund Office at 800-741-9249 for more information.  

After you become eligible under the Plan’s regular rules for eligibility, your continued coverage depends upon your working for a minimum number of hours in each Work (calendar year) Quarter. Your eligibility for benefits will continue during the periods shown below, which are referred to as Eligibility Quarters if you worked in Covered Employment for at least 300 hours in the corresponding Work Quarter.