Free accrual is contributory service that is credited by HOOPP to a member who is determined by HOOPP to be partially, totally, or totally and permanently disabled. A disabled member receiving free accrual builds contributory service without having to make any contributions. Your organization does not make contributions either.
To be eligible for free accrual, a member must:
Be employed by a HOOPP employer
Apply for disability benefits from HOOPP
Have been on an employer-approved health leave for 15 weeks
Be assessed by HOOPP as being partially disabled, totally disabled, or totally and permanently disabled
Have contributed to the Plan before going on a health leave
Be under age 65
Have less than 35 years of contributory service
Qualifying Period and Timelines The first 15 weeks of a health leave is known as the qualifying period. Members must make contributions on any employment earnings they receive from your organization during this period and employers must match contributions made by the member at the prevailing employer contribution rates. See section 7.3 Administrative Steps for further details about deducting contributions and the options that are available to members during this period.
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Important Members who are within the first 15 weeks of an unpaid health leave during the period of the Ontario-declared emergency for COVID-19 will be provided with contributory service for the period of their unpaid leave that coincides with the declared emergency. The process for reporting these leaves remains unchanged. Additional information is in 5.6 Special Situation |
If Not Approved For Free Accrual
If HOOPP determines that a member is not eligible to apply for free accrual or does not meet any of the definitions of disability outlined above, the member will not be approved for free accrual. A member who is not approved for free accrual may remain on an employer-approved health leave for a maximum of four years and both you and the member may continue to make contributions to HOOPP to build the member’s contributory service. If you do not allow the member to make contributions they will continue to be a member of HOOPP while they are on the employer-approved health leave and remain employed, but the member will not build any additional benefits in HOOPP.
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