Bereavement
While it won’t alleviate your pain or sense of loss, we hope that the Bereavement Fund benefit will ease some of the immediate financial pressures you may face at such a difficult time.
Few things are as difficult for a family to bear as the loss of a loved one. As a gesture of condolence and support, CLAC would like to provide you and your family with some financial help. CLAC’s Bereavement Fund benefit was established to provide assistance in the event of the death of a member of CLAC or a CLAC-affiliated local, the spouse of a member, or a dependent child of a member.
Eligibility
The benefit is available to all members of CLAC and its affiliated locals. For the purpose of this benefit, a member is defined as a person who has signed a CLAC membership application card, has paid dues in the last six months, and has been a member in good standing for at least a year. Payment of union dues does not make you a member of the union—you must sign a CLAC membership application card to be eligible for the benefit.
Absent from work?
If a long-term absence from work prevents you from paying union dues, you can maintain your membership by paying $25 to your local CLAC office. Membership continues for six months from the date of the last dues received. Remember, if you let your membership lapse, you will not be eligible for the Bereavement Fund benefit. In case of financial hardship or exceptional circumstance, a written request to waive payment of dues may be approved. Such requests should be sent to your nearest CLAC office.
Payment
To apply for the Bereavement Fund benefit, contact your union steward or CLAC representative. You should receive payment within approximately two weeks of the notice of your claim. The benefit paid in the case of death is:
- for an eligible CLAC member – $500
- for the spouse of an eligible CLAC member – $500