If you are a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Undergraduate Tutor at Vic, you may be entitled to a defined benefit coverage plan that “tops up” your current GSU or UTSU plan; this plan is similar to benefits available to members of Unit 1. 

For more information please contact the Fourth Vice-President.

The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) is available for members of CUPE 3902 Unit 2 (Sessional Lecturers, Teaching Assistants, Writing Instructors, and Undergraduate Tutors employed by Victoria University in the University of Toronto).

The minimum for HCSA entitlement is 34 hours per academic year. All members who work for at least 34 hours are eligible for the HCSA. You can enroll yourself in the HCSA by filling out this form and submitting it directly to vic.hr@utoronto.ca.

Enrolment in the HCSA is NOT automatic: please remember to enroll yourself. Eligibility for reimbursement begins on the date of employment, not the date of enrolment.

Coverage:

• 24 to 239 hours or 0.5 FCE - $750.00

• 240 to 339 hours or 1.0 FCE - $1150.00

• 340 to 439 hours or 1.5 FCE - $1550.00

• 440 to 539 hours or 2.0 FCE - $1950.00

• 540+ hours or 2.5+ FCE - $2350.00

Those members covered by a UofT Employee Benefit Plan (not your GSU or UTSU plan or Unit 1 or 3 plans) are not eligible for this coverage.

Eligible expenses are those that qualify as a medical expense tax credit under the Income Tax Act, including prescription eyeglasses, dental expenses, medical devices and supplies, prescription drugs, and services of paramedical practitioners. A list of eligible medical expense tax credits can be found on the Canada Revenue Agency website.

HCSA: Once you’ve enrolled, you can make claims. Download the form from the GreenShield portal and submit the form with your original receipts for medical expenses to GreenShield. If you have any problems, please contact GreenShield at 1-888-711-1119.

Reimbursement from your HCSA is not taxable under current Income Tax Act rules. However, once you receive reimbursement for an eligible expense under your HCSA, you cannot also claim this expense as a medical expense tax credit on your tax return.

HCSA Allowable Expenses – this form, created by Green Shield Canada, lists items/services that may (or may not) be charged to a HCSA, and under what circumstances certain expenses will be covered.

If you are a Sessional Lecturer or Writing Instructor at Victoria University, you will be getting an additional 7% added to your regular salary as the University’s contribution towards an RRSP for you. This benefit was negotiated by your Union, CUPE 3902.

The 7% employer contribution will be paid directly to you as T4 income, but in order to keep this money, you will be required to establish an RRSP and deposit at least the equivalent of the University’s contribution and a matching contribution from your own salary.

By March 31 of each year, you will have to bring proof that you have established the RRSP and made the required contributions, or Victoria University can ask for their money back.

For more information, please contact vp4@cupe3902.org

Members of Unit 2 have access to a number of different leave provisions through their Collective Agreement.