There are two types of benefits available to BMWED Members and/or their dependent spouse and children under this Policy: a hospitalization benefit or a death benefit.  However, a maximum payment of $500 per BMWED Member household is permitted under this policy. 

Hospitalization

If a BMWED Member, their dependent spouse and/or their dependent child are diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized due to such, they will be entitled to a single payment of $500. 

Death

If a BMWED Member, their dependent spouse and/or their dependent child dies due to COVID-19 or COVID-19 related complications, the spouse of such member will be entitled to a single payment of $500.

There are certain requirements to be eligible for the Hospitalization or Death Benefit.  All requirements described below must be met in order to be eligible for the Hospitalization or Death Benefit. 

Member That Paid Dues and Remains in Craft

BMWED Members, or their dependent spouse and/or dependent children, are eligible for either the Hospitalization Benefit or the Death Benefit if the BMWED member paid dues during the month of hospitalization or death due to COVID-19 or COVID-19 related complications, or paid dues for at least one (1) month during the two (2) months prior to such hospitalization or death.  However, if the BMWED Member has changed crafts and/or promoted to an exempt (“management”) position during the applicable month of hospitalization or death, or during the two (2) month period prior to such, or within the 60 day application period for such benefit, he/she will not be considered a BMWED Member eligible for such benefits and therefore, their dependent spouse and/or children will also be ineligible. 

Dependent Spouse

A dependent spouse is defined as the Member’s wife and/or husband, as married through a legally recognized ceremony, and/or through legally recognized common law marriage if recognized as such within the applicable state in which the Member resides.  A spouse also includes same-sex spouse, so long as the spouse and the Member were legally married in a state or foreign country that recognizes same-sex marriage, regardless of whether the state in which the couple currently resides recognizes the marriage.  

Dependent Child

A dependent child is defined as:

-Your natural children, stepchildren and/or adopted children as well as any child placed with you for adoption or who is an “Alternate Recipient” under a Qualified Medical Child Support Order, that is unmarried and under the age 26.

-Your unmarried children age 26 or over who have a permanent physical or mental condition that began prior to age 19, and are unable to engage in any regular employment, and  are dependent for care and support mainly upon you and wholly, in the aggregate, upon you, your spouse, and governmental disability benefits and the like, and have their legal residence with you. 

-Your grandchildren that are your natural grandchildren or adopted grandchildren, provided they have their legal residence with you and are dependent for care and support mainly upon you and wholly, in the aggregate, upon themselves, you, your spouse, scholarships and the like, and governmental disability benefits and the like. 

Hospitalization or Death

BMWED Members, their dependent spouse and/or dependent children must have been hospitalized or died due to COVID-19 or COVID-19 related complications.

Members, their spouse, and/or dependent children that meet the eligibility requirements are required to apply within 60 days from the date of release from hospitalization and/or death related to COVID-19 or COVID-19 related complications. 

To apply for such benefit, the Member, their dependent spouse and/or dependent children must contact the BMWED Member’s respective General Chairperson and provide them with the following information:

1)      BMWED Member’s First and Last Name, Date of Birth, Home Address, Railroad Employer and Employee ID#.  If the request for benefit relates to the dependent spouse and/or dependent children, the spouse’s and/or children’s full name as well as date of birth must be provided in addition to the aforementioned BMWED Member’s information. 

2)      Documentation of Hospitalization and/or Death of Member, dependent spouse and/or dependent child for COVID-19.  For Hospitalization, documentation must sufficiently verify the diagnosis of and related hospitalization treatment for COVID-19 or COVID-19 related issues for the respective individual for which the benefit request relates to.  For Death, documentation should include a certificate of death for the respective individual for which the benefit request relates to. 

The General Chairperson shall review the eligibility and relevant documentation of the Applicant and once they have all required documentation, they will submit such to BMWED National Division via email at covid19relief@bmwe.org for review, eligibility determination and processing.  Upon review and approval, BMWED National Division will issue payment in the amount of $500.