Component 1 Funds
Parental Leave Fund
The purpose of the Parental Leave Fund is to provide financial support to members of Component 1 who are unable to work due to the recent or upcoming birth or adoption of a child (including surrogacy), or miscarriage, and who are ineligible for Employment Insurance benefits under the maternity and parental leave provisions. The intent is to offset the loss of pay associated with unpaid leave.
To be eligible for support from the Parental Leave Fund, a member must meet the three eligibility conditions below:
the member is a Component 1 member of CUPE 2278;
the member is, or will be at the time of receiving financial support, on leave without pay, due to the recent or upcoming birth or adoption of a child (including surrogacy), or miscarriage;
the member requires financial support related to the recent or upcoming birth or adoption of a child (including surrogacy), or miscarriage;
the member is not eligible to receive maternity/parental benefits under Employment Insurance (EI).
Members are only eligible for financial support from the Parental Leave Fund for as long as they continue to meet all of these eligibility requirements. If a member ceases to meet any of these requirements, for whatever reason, then their eligibility for the Fund ceases immediately.
Members who will be returning to work after 8 weeks, as per UBC’s Graduate Student Parental Accommodation Policy, will be eligible for 8 weeks of full-time GTA I pay. Members who are taking a full term away from work will be eligible for 16 weeks of full-time GTA I pay.
Since we cannot predict how many applications the Fund will receive, there is no guarantee that an eligible member will receive support from the Fund. In cases of limited funds, applicants who have not previously received money from this Fund will be prioritized.
Health, Wellbeing, and Hardship Fund
The purpose of the Health, Wellbeing, and Hardship Fund is to provide financial support to members of Component 1 who experience an emergent and significant financial hardship due to circumstances outside of their control.
To be eligible for support from the Health, Wellbeing, and Hardship Fund a member must meet the eligibility conditions below:
The applicant is a Component 1 member of CUPE 2278.
The member considers themselves to be in emergent and significant financial hardship due to circumstances outside of their control
Members are only eligible for financial support from the Fund for as long as they continue to meet all of these eligibility requirements. If a member ceases to meet any of these requirements, for whatever reason, then their eligibility for the Fund ceases immediately.
There is a maximum that any individual is entitled to receive in each academic year. This maximum is equivalent to 0.25 of a full Teaching Assistantship at the GTA I rate. Members may request any amount less than the maximum per application, and multiple applications may be submitted in the same academic year. Applications must specify the requested amount of support.
Since the Union cannot predict how many applications the Fund will receive, there is no guarantee that an eligible member will receive support from the Fund. In cases of limited funds, applicants who have not previously received money from this Fund will be prioritized.
Childcare Fund
The purpose of the Childcare Fund is to provide financial support to members of Component 1 who have childcare expenses.
To be eligible for support from the Childcare Fund a member must meet the eligibility conditions below:
The applicant is a Component 1 member of CUPE 2278;
The member has childcare costs for their dependent(s).
Members are only eligible for financial support from the Childcare Fund for as long as they continue to meet all of these eligibility requirements. If a member ceases to meet any of these requirements, for whatever reason, then their eligibility for the Fund ceases immediately.
Claims will not be paid for a spouse, partner, or a family member who normally provides care without charges.
Childcare receipts must be provided with the application for reimbursement, and members may apply once per academic term.
Members may apply for $2000 per academic term for a maximum of 3 times per year ($6000).
Since the Union cannot predict how many applications the Fund will receive, there is no guarantee that an eligible member will receive support from the Fund. In cases of limited funds, applicants who have not previously received money from this Fund will be prioritized.