Unit 7

Leaves Under the Collective Agreement

You, your coworkers, and your former coworkers have fought for decades for better access to paid leaves. Please do take advantage of the privileges you have won for you, your coworkers, and future generations of workers at U of T.

Available leaves are described below. You can find more info in the CUPE 3902 (formerly 3907) Unit 7 Collective Agreement and the ratified Memorandum of Understanding 2025-2028. In general, to take a leave, first contact your departmental administrator to start the process.

Note: Academic year is September 1 to August 31

More questions?

Check out the Unit 7 Collective Agreement and/or send a message the Vice President (Unit 1 and Unit 7) at vp1@cupe3902.org.

Health Benefits

If you are a member of Unit 7 and are employed for at least one term, you are eligible for coverage under the CUPE 3902 top-up benefit plan. The Plan Year runs from September 1 to August 31. Plans are non-contributory (100% UofT paid). Plan status and dependent eligibility is based on Student Plan enrollment each year.

Unit 7 members do not need to do anything to enroll - your coverage will begin once GreenShield Canada (GSC) receives the information from UofT. This will be late October/early November each year.


Eligible employees enrolled under the Student Plan will be eligible for coverage under the CUPE 3902 Unit 7 Health Care Plan A – Top-up + HCSA: 

  • You can access the most up-to-date Benefit Booklet online through your GreenShield Canada account.

  • The individual HCSA is worth $300/year. The Family HCSA has a value of $600/year.

Eligible employees who have opted out of the UTGSU plan will participate in the CUPE 3902 Unit 7 Health Care Plan B – HCSA-only Plan. 

  • You will only be eligible for coverage under the $300 “HCSA-only Plan” regardless of whether you have eligible spouse/partner or dependent children.


The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) is like a bank account that you can use to pay for eligible health and dental expenses not fully covered by your group benefits plan or your provincial health plan. It covers a wide range of health and dental expenses including co-payments and/or deductibles. This form, created by GreenShield Canada, shows eligible expenses under your Health Care Spending Account.

Note: CUPE 3902 Unit 1 and Unit 7 share the same Top-Up plan. If you are a member of both Unit 7 and Unit 1, you will only receive access to one Top-Up plan.

Health Benefits - Important Dates And Deadlines

  • Blackout Dates:

    Fall term - September 1 to November 29
    Winter term - January 1 to March 15

    A blackout period is the duration of time when access to Plan A and Plan B is temporarily unavailable while the University confirms the eligibility of members.

    If you require access to medical/dental services, or need a prescription during this time, you can make the payment and submit the claim to GreenShield after the blackout period.

  • All claims must be received by Green Shield no later than 60 days after the end of the benefit year, thus by October 30.

    NOTE: August 30 is the last day you can submit claims through the GreenShield online portal. After August 30, you must submit a paper claim form, which you can find on their website.

  • In order for your dependent/s to be included in the Top-Up Plan, they must first be enrolled in your Student Plan. They will then be automatically enrolled in your CUPE Top-Up Plan if you are eligible.

    To add your dependents, you must opt them in annually, at the beginning of the term you are first registered in.

    Fall: September 1 to 30
    Winter: January 1 to 31

    Visit Student Care to opt-in online during those periods.

    Note: If you have the HCSA-only Plan, contact GreenShield directly at 1-888-711-1119 to add your dependent/s.

Health Benefits - Important Forms and Websites

Top-Up Plan Benefits Booklet – You can find the most up-to-date benefits booklet by logging into your GreenShield Canada account. Your benefits booklet provides you with important information about your benefits plan.

Top-Up Plan FAQ – have questions about your Top-Up Plan? Check here first for answers!

HCSA Allowable Expenses – this form, created by GreenShield Canada, lists items/services that may (or may not) be charged to a HCSA, and under what circumstances certain expenses will be covered. Members are able to claim their Student Plan health and dental premiums through their HSCA account. See the Top-Up Plan FAQ to learn how to do this.

Equity Funds

ROLLING: SEPTEMBER to AUGUST

Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors Fund (SF)>

Trans Fund >

Black and Indigenous Workers Fund (BIWF) >

International Workers Legal Fund (IWLF) >

The Local’s Equity Funds Subcommittee anonymously reviews applications for the Survivors Fund, Trans Fund, International Workers Legal Fund, and Anti-Racism Racialized Workers Fund.

Your Secretary Treasurer, Vice-President, President (or President’s designate), and ideally, community members representing each fund (two members per fund in Unit 1, and one member per fund in Unit 7), sit on this committee. It is chaired by the Equity Officer.

Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors Fund (SF)

Eligibility period: Secured at least 1 hour of Unit 1 work between September 1 and August 31 of the year in which the application is made. 

Purpose: To support survivors by reimbursing expenses already incurred as a result of sexual or domestic violence. Please apply if you need support related to your experience as a member of this group.

NOTE: This fund is reimbursement-based, and not eligible for pre-approval of anticipated expenses.  

The Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors Fund (Survivors Fund) is intended to serve as an individualized form of reimbursement support for members who are survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence. If you identify as a member of the group this fund intends to serve and are interested in participating in the Local’s Equity Funds subcommittee, write to your Equity Officer at eo@cupe3902.org.

If you have constructive feedback regarding the fund, please contact your First Vice-President at vp1@cupe3902.org and/or the Equity Officer at eo@cupe3902.org. Please note that in accordance with the Local’s Equity Statement, abusive language in communications will not be tolerated. 

This is a member-driven fund that came out of members’ needs and was specifically modeled on the CUPE 3903 Sexual Assault Survivor Fund. 

  • Each year of the Survivors Fund (September 1 to August 31), anyone who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply: 

    • You have secured at least 1 hour of Unit 7 work by the time the application is made or have a guaranteed subsequent appointment 

    • You are a survivor of sexual and/or domestic violence 

    Application deadlines: Applications are due during the fund year in which expenses are incurred. Exceptions to this may be made on a case-by-case basis (such as when expenses are incurred close to the end of the fund year).

    Please write to your Equity Officer at eo@cupe3902.org if you have any questions.

  • Understanding that violence can impact many areas of life, the fund deliberately does not define all eligible expenses. Members are invited to submit claims for any paid, documented expenses they consider eligible. 

    Examples of eligible expenses include: 

    • Legal fees 

    • Related counselling fees in excess of what is covered by GreenShield (proof coverage has been exceeded or is not covered by GreenShield is required) 

    • Administrative fees associated with change of name ($137), re-issuing of passport ($120 for the 5-year, $160 for the 10-year), etc. 

    • Related medical procedures not covered by GreenShield (e.g. STI tests, emergency dental procedures, laser treatment to remove visible signs of violence, etc.), and related transportation costs 

    • Safety costs, including lock changes, hair cuts, new phone numbers, secure transportation, etc. 

    • Emergency relocation to secure safe housing, including moving fees, first and last month’s rent, hotel stays, etc. 

    • Expenses incurred in the fund year (September 1 to August 31) will be eligible for reimbursement. 

    Receipts must be submitted for all claimed expenses clearly showing the dates and amounts incurred within the period specified by the applicant.

    If medical claims are being submitted, please provide screenshots showing that you have first submitted your claim through GreenShield, and that your claim has been exhausted and/or denied on your base and top-up plans. Be sure to include the date in your screenshot. You should also provide proof if GreenShield does not cover your particular expense category.  

    You will need to provide proof of exhaustion of GreenShield with each new fund application even if you have submitted this document in a previous application. Lack of proper documentation may result in your application being denied as the Equity Funds Subcommittee will not be able to fully assess your application.

  • Each applicant has a yearly cap of $8,000 for the Survivors Fund. 

    The fund year spans from September 1 to August 31.

  • Equity Fund review meetings are scheduled to take place monthly. For your application to be considered at these meetings, it must be received at a reasonable time before the Equity Funds Subcommittee meeting.  

    We aim to communicate application results to eligible applicants within two weeks of approval. Funds are normally disbursed within two months of the application results. 

  • Applications will be reviewed and eligibility decisions made on a case-by-case basis by the Equity Funds Subcommittee. The Equity Funds Subcommittee is chaired by the Equity Officer. Voting members are the Secretary-Treasurer, the President (or designate), the Vice-Presidents of any Unit with Equity Funds, and up to two members per Equity Fund to represent the relevant constituencies, to be appointed by the Executive Committee after a call for applications. 

    The Equity Officer chairs meetings of the Equity Funds Committee, presenting an anonymized version of each application to the committee for review. Only the Equity Officer and Secretary Treasurer have access to Equity Fund applications in full. 

  • If you have worked at least 1 hour since September 1 of the fund year, and once the database has been updated with payroll information, the application form will be available online and accessible through the Union’s website.

    To find the application, login to the Member Portal (found by scrolling up to the top right of this page), and select the ‘Forms’ tab. 

    A complete application for the fund must include: 

    • Political membership — you must have signed a membership card or filled out a Membership Application Form.

      • If you do not have a CUPE No. (found on the left-hand side of the Portal home page), then you have yet to gain political membership.
        To do so, select the ‘Forms’ tab and fill out the Membership Application Form.
        Note: processing membership applications can take up to four days.

    • The Survivors Fund Application Form

    • Supporting documentation — this documentation must include a statement outlining the need for which funding is being requested and its connection to the fund category, and any other supporting documentation you may have (receipts, proof that you have submitted your claim to GreenShield, letters of support, etc.).
      Claims submitted without proper documentation will be denied. 

    You will receive an automatic confirmation email for each application you submit.

    If you do not receive a confirmation email, you did not successfully submit the application.
    If you experience any issues during the application process, please see the Fund Application FAQ for answers to commonly asked questions. 

    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The fund year is September 1 to August 31. The fund cap resets every year.

  • CUPE 3902, Unit 7 members’ protections under the Collective Agreement (CA) for Survivors:

    • one month’s paid leave for survivors (p. 58) 

    • four month’s paid “Surgery, Hospitalization, and Serious Illness” leave which can be used for mental-health purposes (p. 57) 

    • Sexual violence and harassment protections (pp. 9-11) 

    • Letter of Understanding on Sexual Violence (p. 85) 

    CUPE 3902, Unit 7 members’ access to relevant healthcare:

    • Mental health care (counselling/MSW/social worker, incl. psychotherapy): $5000/year under top-up plan + $500 under base plan (total: $5500) 

    • Basic dental: $1350/year 

    • Glasses/contact lenses/laser eye surgery: $300/year 

    • Single HCSA: $500/year – Family HCSA: $800/year Drug max: $15000/year 

    • Health plan combined maximum: $15000/year 

Trans Fund

Eligibility period: Secured at least 1 hour of Unit 7 work between September 1 and August 31 of the year in which the application is made. 

Purpose: To support transgender and/or nonbinary members by reimbursing them for expenses already incurred and related to their experience as a member of this group. Please apply if you need support. NOTE: This fund is reimbursement-based, and not eligible for pre-approval of anticipated expenses. 

The Trans Fund is intended to serve as an individualized form of reimbursement support for members who self-identify as transgender and/or nonbinary. If you identify as a member of the group this fund intends to serve and are interested in participating in the Local’s Equity Funds subcommittee, write to your Equity Officer at eo@cupe3902.org.

If you have constructive feedback regarding the fund, please contact your First Vice-President at vp1@cupe3902.org and/or the Equity Officer at eo@cupe3902.org. Please note that in accordance with the Local’s Equity Statement, abusive language in communications will not be tolerated. 

  • Each year of the Trans Fund (September 1 to August 31), anyone who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply: 

    • You have secured at least 1 hour of Unit 7 work by the time the application is made or have a guaranteed subsequent appointment. 

    • You self-identify as transgender and/or nonbinary. 

    Application deadlines: Applications are due during the fund year in which expenses are incurred. Exceptions to this may be made on a case-by-case basis (such as when expenses are incurred close to the end of the fund year). Please write to the Equity Officer at eo@cupe3902.org with any questions. 

  • Understanding that your experience as transgender and/or nonbinary can impact many areas of life, the fund deliberately does not define all eligible expenses. Members are invited to submit claims for any paid, documented expenses they consider eligible. 

    Examples of eligible expenses include: 

    • Everyday life necessities, including but not limited to binders, shapewear, and packers 

    • Medical necessities not covered by GreenShield, such as HRT prescriptions not listed in GreenShield’s index of covered pharmaceuticals 

    • Gender-affirming procedures and surgeries (not covered by GSU Base Plan), and associated travel, lodging, and transportation costs 

    • Related counselling and fees in excess of what is covered by GreenShield, excluding Plan A HCSA 

    • Administrative fees associated with change of name ($137), re-issuing of passport ($120 for the 5-year, $160 for the 10-year), etc. 

    • Emergency relocation to secure safe housing, including moving fees, first and last month’s rent, hotel stays, etc.  

    • Expenses incurred in the fund year (September 1 to August 31) will be eligible for reimbursement 

    Receipts must be submitted for all claimed expenses clearly showing the dates and amounts incurred within the period specified by the applicant. If medical claims are being submitted, please provide screenshots showing that you have first submitted your claim through GreenShield, and that your claim has been exhausted and/or denied on your base and top-up plans.

    Be sure to include the date in your screenshot. You should also provide proof if GreenShield does not cover your particular expense category.  

    You will need to provide proof of exhaustion of GreenShield with each new fund application even if you have submitted this document in a previous application. Lack of proper documentation may result in your application being denied as the Equity Funds Subcommittee will not be able to fully assess your application.

  • Each applicant has yearly cap of $1,500 and a lifetime cap of $5,000 per fund.

    The fund year spans from 1 September to 31 August.

  • Equity Fund review meetings are scheduled to take place monthly.

    For your application to be considered at these meetings, it must be received at least one day in advance. We will do our best to accommodate last-minute applications, but this cannot be guaranteed.

    We aim to mail disbursement cheques to eligible applicants within two weeks of approval.

  • Applications will be reviewed and eligibility decisions made on a case-by-case basis by the Equity Funds Committee. The Equity Funds Committee is comprised of the Secretary-Treasurer, the Chair (or designate), the Vice-Presidents of any Unit with Equity Funds, and two members per Equity Fund to represent the relevant constituencies, to be appointed by the Executive Committee after a call for applications.

    The Secretary-Treasurer chairs meetings of the Equity Funds Committee, presenting an anonymized and paraphrased version of each application to the committee for review. No other officer or member of the Local has access to Equity Fund applications.

  • If you have worked 1+ hour since 1 September of the fund year and once the database has been updated with payroll information, the application form will be available online and accessible through the Union’s website. To find the application, login to the Member Portal (found by scrolling up to the top right of this page), and select the ‘Forms’ tab.

    A complete application for the fund will include:

    1. Political membership — you must have signed a membership card or filled out a Membership Application Form. (If you do not have a CUPE No. (found on the left-hand side of the Portal home page), then you have yet to gain political membership. To do so, select the ‘Forms’ tab and fill out the Membership Application Form PLEASE NOTE: processing membership applications can take up to one hour.)

    2. The Trans Fund Application Form.

    3. Supporting documentation — this documentation should include a statement outlining the need for which funding is being requested, and any other supporting documentation you may have (receipts, invoices, letters of support, etc.).

    You will receive an automatic confirmation email for each application you submit. PLEASE NOTE: if you do not receive a confirmation email you did not successfully submit the application. If you experience any issues during the application process, please see the Fund Application FAQ for answers to commonly asked questions.

    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The fund year is 1 September – 31 August. The fund cap per person per year resets every year.

  • CUPE 3902, Unit 7 members’ protections under the Collective Agreement (CA) for Trans members:

    • four month’s paid “Surgery, Hospitalization, and Serious Illness” leave which can be used for gender-affirming surgeries and procedures and/or mental-health purposes (p. 57)

    • “physical attributes” and “sexual orientation, identity, and expression” added to grounds protected from discrimination (p. 7)

    • right to determine your own gender identity and pronoun (p. 8)

    • bullying and harassment protection (p. 13)

    CUPE 3902, Unit 7 members’ access to relevant healthcare:

    • Mental health care (counselling/MSW/social worker, incl. psychotherapy): $2500/year under top-up plan + $500 under base plan (total: $3000)

    • Basic dental: $1350/year

    • Glasses/contact lenses/laser eye surgery: $225/year

    • Family HCSA: $600/year

    • Drug max: $15K/year

    • Health plan combined max: $15K/year

Black and Indigenous Workers Fund (BIWF)

Eligibility period: secured at least 1 hour of Unit 7 work between September 1 and August 31 of the year in which the application is made.

Purpose: support members impacted by anti-Black and/or anti-Indigenous racism. Please apply if you need support of any kind related to your experience as a member of this group.

The BIWF is intended to serve as an immediate and individualized form of support for members who are impacted by anti-Black and/or anti-Indigenous racism. If you identify as in the group this fund intends to serve and have constructive feedback, and/or are interested in participating on the Local’s Equity Funds Committee, please write to your Secretary-Treasurer at st@cupe3902.org.  

The Local’s Equity Funds Committee (anonymously) reviews applications for the Survivors Fund, Trans Fund, International Legal Workers Fund, and Black and Indigenous Workers Fund. Your Secretary Treasurer, Vice-President, President or President’s designate, and ideally, community members representing each fund (two members per fund in Unit 1 and one member per fund in Unit 7), sit on this committee.

  • Each year of the BIWF (September 1 to August 31), anyone who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply:

    1. You have secured at least 1 hour of Unit 7 work by the time the application is made, or have a guaranteed subsequent appointment.

    2. You have been impacted by anti-Black and/or anti-Indigenous racism.

    Application deadlines: Applications are due during the fund year in which expenses are incurred. Exceptions to this may be made on a case-by-case basis (such as when expenses are incurred close to the end of the fund year).

    Please write to your Secretary-Treasurer at st@cupe3902.org if you have any questions.

  • Understanding that anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism can impact many areas of life, the fund deliberately does not define all eligible expenses. Members are invited to submit claims for any expenses they consider eligible.

    Examples of eligible expenses include:

    1. Related legal fees (including related transportation costs, childcare).

    2. Related medical fees in excess of what is covered by GreenShield (including counselling, health services not covered by insurance, procedures to remove visible signs of violence, and related transportation and childcare costs).

    3. Safety costs, including secure transportation, self defense classes, etc.

    4. Emergency relocation to secure safe housing, including moving fees, first and last month’s rent, hotel stays, etc.

    Expenses incurred in the fund year (September 1 to August 31) will be eligible for reimbursement.

  • Each applicant has yearly cap of $8,000 for the Trans fund. 

    The fund year spans from September 1 to August 31. 

  • Equity Fund review meetings are scheduled to take place monthly. For your application to be considered at these meetings, it must be received at a reasonable time before the Equity Funds Subcommittee meeting.  
     
    We aim to communicate application results to eligible applicants within two weeks of approval. Funds are normally disbursed within two months of the application results.  

  • Applications will be reviewed and eligibility decisions made on a case-by-case basis by the Equity Funds Subcommittee. The Equity Funds Subcommittee is chaired by the Equity Officer. Voting members are the Secretary-Treasurer, the President (or designate), the Vice-Presidents of any Unit with Equity Funds, and up to two members per Equity Fund to represent the relevant constituencies, to be appointed by the Executive Committee after a call for applications. 

    The Equity Officer chairs meetings of the Equity Funds Committee, presenting the anonymized version of each application to the committee for review.  Only the Equity Officer and Secretary Treasurer have access to Equity Fund applications in full. 

  • If you have worked at least 1 hour since September 1 of the fund year and once the database has been updated with payroll information, the application form will be available online and accessible through the Union’s website. To find the application, login to the Member Portal (found by scrolling up to the top right of this page), and select the ‘Forms’ tab. 

    A complete application for the fund must include:

    • Political membership — you must have signed a membership card or filled out a Membership Application Form.

      • If you do not have a CUPE No. (found on the left-hand side of the Portal home page), then you have yet to gain political membership.
        To do so, select the ‘Forms’ tab and fill out the Membership Application Form.
        Note: processing membership applications can take up to four days. The Trans Fund Application Form. 

    • Supporting documentation — this documentation must include a statement outlining the need for which funding is being requested, and any other supporting documentation you may have (receipts, proof of GreenShield claim denial, letters of support, etc.). Claims submitted without proper documentation will be denied. 

    You will receive an automatic confirmation email for each application you submit. Note that if you do not receive a confirmation email, you did not successfully submit the application. If you experience any issues during the application process, please see the Fund Application FAQ for answers to commonly asked questions. 

    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The fund year is September 1 to August 31. The fund cap resets every year.

  • CUPE 3902, Unit 7 members’ protections under the Collective Agreement (CA) for Trans members:

    • four month’s paid “Surgery, Hospitalization, and Serious Illness” leave which can be used for gender-affirming surgeries and procedures and/or mental-health purposes (p. 57) 

    • “physical attributes” and “sexual orientation, identity, and expression” added to grounds protected from discrimination (p. 7) 

    • right to determine your own gender identity and pronoun (p. 8) 

    • bullying and harassment protection (p. 13)

    CUPE 3902, Unit 7 members’ access to relevant healthcare:

    • Mental health care (counselling/MSW/social worker, incl. psychotherapy): $5000/year under top-up plan + $500 under base plan (total: $5500) 

    • Basic dental: $1350/year 

    • Glasses/contact lenses/laser eye surgery: $300/year 

    • Single HCSA: $500/year – Family HCSA: $800/year 

    • Drug max: $15000/year 

    • Health plan combined maximum: $15000/year 

    • Gender affirming coverage through GSU Base Plan. More info here.

International Workers Legal Fund (IWLF)

Eligibility period: Secured at least 1 hour of Unit 7 work between September 1 and August 31 of the year in which the application is made. 

Purpose: To support international members facing legal difficulties related to their visa and/or immigration status by reimbursing them for paid, documented expenses already incurred and related to their experience as a member of this group. Please apply if you need support.

The International Workers Legal Fund (IWLF) covers eligible expenses for members who are experiencing troubles related to their visa and/or immigration status that interfere with their ability to perform their Unit 7 work.

NOTE: This fund is reimbursement-based, and not eligible for pre-approval of anticipated expenses.

If you identify as a member of the group this fund intends to serve and are interested in participating in the Local’s Equity Funds Subcommittee, write to your Equity Officer at eo@cupe3902.org.

If you have constructive feedback regarding the fund, please contact your First Vice-President at vp1@cupe3902.org and/or the Equity Office at eo@cupe3902.org. Please note that in accordance with the Local’s Equity Statement, abusive language in communications will not be tolerated.

  • Each year of the International Workers Legal Fund (September 1 to August 31), anyone who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply: 

    • You have secured at least 1 hour of Unit 7 work by the time the application is made or have a guaranteed subsequent appointment

    • You are international (i.e., not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada)

    • You are experiencing legal troubles related to your visa and/or immigration status that interfere with your ability to perform your Unit 7 work

    Application deadlines: Applications are due during the fund year in which expenses are incurred.

    Exceptions to this may be made on a case-by-case basis (such as when expenses are incurred close to the end of the fund year).

    Please write to your Equity Officer at eo@cupe3902.org if you have any questions.

  • Understanding that your status as an international worker can impact many areas of life, the fund deliberately does not define all eligible expenses. Members are invited to submit claims for any paid, documented expenses they consider eligible. 

    The IWLF is intended to assist members with reimbursement of legal costs associated with a situation such as deportation. As such, costs associated with applying for permanent residency or citizenship, applying for or renewing a visa, passport, or routine legal costs related to immigration are not eligible.

    Examples of eligible paid, documented expenses include: 

    • Legal fees related to an immigration situation (for members and/or their dependents) 

    • Associated filing fees 

    • Childcare needed to make legal appointments 

    • Transportation to and from legal appointments 

    • Lost wages for days in court 

    • Repatriation, including moving fees, travel costs, etc. 

    • Expenses incurred in the fund year (September 1 to August 31) will be eligible for reimbursement 

    Receipts must be submitted for all claimed expenses clearly showing the dates and amounts incurred within the period specified by the applicant. Lack of proper documentation may result in your application being denied as the Equity Funds Subcommittee will not be able to fully assess your application. 

  • Each applicant has a yearly cap of $5000 for the International Workers Legal Fund.  

    The fund year spans from September 1 to August 31. 

  • Equity Fund review meetings are scheduled to take place monthly. For your application to be considered at these meetings, it must be received at a reasonable time before the Equity Funds Subcommittee meeting.  

    We aim to communicate application results to eligible applicants within two weeks of approval. Funds are normally disbursed within two months of the application results. 

  • Applications will be reviewed and eligibility decisions made on a case-by-case basis by the Equity Funds Subcommittee. The Equity Funds Subcommittee is chaired by the Equity Officer. Voting members are the Secretary-Treasurer, the President (or designate), the Vice-Presidents of any Unit with Equity Funds, and up to two members per Equity Fund to represent the relevant constituencies, to be appointed by the Executive Committee after a call for applications. 

    The Equity Officer chairs meetings of the Equity Funds Committee, presenting the anonymized version of each application to the committee for review. 

    Only the Equity Officer and Secretary Treasurer have access to Equity Fund applications in full.

  • If you have worked at least 1 hour since September 1 of the fund year and once the database has been updated with payroll information, the application form will be available online and accessible through the Union’s website. To find the application, login to the Member Portal (found by scrolling up to the top right of this page), and select the ‘Forms’ tab. 

    A complete application for the fund must include: 

    • Political membership — you must have signed a membership card or filled out a Membership Application Form.

      • If you do not have a CUPE No. (found on the left-hand side of the Portal home page), then you have yet to gain political membership.
        To do so, select the ‘Forms’ tab and fill out the Membership Application Form.
        Note: processing membership applications can take up to four days.

    • The Anti-Racism Racialized Workers Fund Application Form

    • Supporting documentation — this documentation must include a statement outlining the need for which funding is being requested, and any other supporting documentation you may have (receipts, proof of GreenShield claim denial, letters of support, etc.). Claims submitted without proper receipts will be denied. 

    You will receive an automatic confirmation email for each application you submit. 

    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The fund year is September 1 to August 31. The fund cap resets every year.

FEBRUARY 1 to 28 & JULY 1 to 31

International Health Plan Assistance Fund (IHPAF)

Eligibility period: have/will have performed at least 30 hours of Unit 7 work between September 1 and August 31 of the year in which the application is made.

Purpose: cover UHIP enrolment fees for members who, because of their international status and are no longer in the funded cohort, must pay out-of-pocket for UHIP for themselves, their spouse, or dependent child(ren). Members who receive major external awards that fully replace funding packages are not eligible.

The International Health Plan Assistance Fund (IHPAF) is for members who, because of their international status, must pay out-of-pocket UHIP enrolment fees for themselves, their spouse, and/or their dependent child(ren).

  • The Unit 7 IHPAF is disbursed in two rounds. Anyone who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply:

    (a) Either you have performed at least 30 hours of Unit 7 work between September 1 and the application deadline, if you are applying in Round 1 OR you have secured at least 30 hours of Unit 7 work between September 1 to August 31, if you are applying in Round 2.

    (b) You are an international member who paid UHIP fees out of pocket for yourself, your spouse, and/or your dependent child(ren) in the academic year.

  • UHIP fees for eligible members’ spouses and/or their dependent child(ren) are always eligible. UHIP fees for members themselves are only eligible if paid out of pocket, that is, not covered by a funding package. All students in the funded cohort have their UHIP fees covered by the funding package, except those who pay domestic tuition while enrolled in the UHIP.

    Members who receive major external awards that fully replace their funding package (e.g. SSHRC, Vanier, etc.) will not be eligible.

  • The fund reimburses eligible UHIP fees in full.

    In 2023-24, a full year of UHIP coverage costs $756 per person.

  • Applications for the first round will open February 1 to 28. Disbursements will follow in May, unless otherwise notified.

    There will be a second round of applications from July 1 to 31. This is to allow members who were not eligible in February (because they haven’t reached the 30 hour work requirement) to apply. Disbursements will follow in October, unless otherwise notified.

  • If you lost your receipt for the coverage of your spouse/dependent, you can get it reprinted at the UHIP office at 33 St. George Street or you can email the UHIP office to ask for a digital copy.

  • When the application opens on February 1 and July 1, the form will be available online and accessible through the Member Portal (found by scrolling up to the top right of this page).

    A complete application for the IHPAF will include: (a) the IHPAF Application Form, and (b) supporting documentation—your ACORN Account Invoice showing you paid UHIP fees out of pocket in the current academic year. Please note that if you are claiming fees for your spouse/dependent child(ren), the receipt(s) must show their full name(s) and period of coverage.

    You will receive an automatic confirmation email after submitting your application.

    PLEASE NOTE: if you do not receive a confirmation email, you did not successfully submit your application.

    If you do not have a membership card (i.e., you do not have a CUPE No., found on the left-hand side of the Portal home page), you will be directed to fill out a Membership Application Form (also found on the ‘Forms’ tab). When your membership application is processed, the IHPAF Application Form will be accessible through the portal.*

    *PLEASE NOTE: processing membership applications can take up to one hour. Failure to fill out a membership application in a timely way is not grounds for submitting a late application.

    If you experience any issues during the application process, please see the Fund Application FAQ.

    Round 1 : Applications will be accepted February 1 to 28
    Round 2 : Applications will be accepted July 1 to 31

U of T Family Plan Assistance Fund (UFPAF)

Eligibility period: have/will have performed at least 30 hours of Unit 7 work between September 1 and August 31 of the year in which the application is made.

Purpose: cover U of T student or postdoc base plan enrolment fees for members who pay out-of-pocket for coverage for their spouse and/or dependent child(ren) on their U of T base plan.

The U of T Family Plan Assistance Fund (UFPAF) is for members who pay out-of-pocket enrolment fees to add their spouse and/or their dependent child(ren) to their U of T student or postdoc plan.

  • The Unit 7 IHPAF is disbursed in two rounds. Anyone who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply:

    (a) Either you have performed at least 30 hours of Unit 7 work between September 1 and the application deadline, if you are applying in Round 1, OR
    you have secured at least 30 hours of Unit 7 work between September 1 and August 31, if you are applying in Round 2.

    (b) You paid fees to add your spouse and/or dependent child(ren) to your UofT base plan in the current academic year.

  • Eligible expenses include the enrolment fees you paid to add your spouse and/or dependent child(ren) to your UofT base plan in the current academic year.

    UofT base plans include: the GSU plan (graduate students), the PDF plan (postdoctoral fellows), the UTSU plan (undergraduate students), the APUS plan (part-time students), and the SCSU plan (undergraduate students, UTSC).

  • The fund reimburses a percentage of the cost of adding your spouse and/or dependents to your UofT student or postdoc base plan.

  • Applications for the first round will be open February 1 to 28. Disbursements will follow in May, unless otherwise notified.

    There will be a second round of applications from July 1 to 31. This is to allow members who were not eligible in February (because they haven’t reached the 30 hour work requirement) to apply. Disbursements will follow in October, unless otherwise notified.

  • If you lost your receipt for the coverage of your spouse/dependent, you can call Student Care at 416-978-4911 or email hello@utsu.ca to request a copy of your receipt.

  • When the application opens on February 1, the form will be available online and accessible through the Member Portal (found by scrolling up to the top right of this page).

    A complete application for the UFPAF will include: 

    (a) the UFPAF Application Form, and,

    (b) supporting documentation—a receipt showing you paid to add your spouse and/or dependents to your UofT student or postdoc base plan in the current academic year (email confirmation showing the amount paid is sufficient). Please note that if you are claiming fees for your spouse/dependent child(ren), the receipt(s) must show their full name(s) and period of coverage.

    You will receive an immediate confirmation email for each application you submit.

    PLEASE NOTE: if you do not receive a confirmation email you did not successfully submit the application.

    If you do not have a membership card (i.e., you do not have a CUPE No., found on the left-hand side of the Portal home page), you will be directed to fill out a Membership Application Form (also found on the ‘Forms’ tab). When your membership application is processed, the UFPAF Application Form will be accessible through the portal.*

    *PLEASE NOTE: processing membership applications can take up to one hour. Failure to fill out a membership application in a timely way is not grounds for submitting a late application.

    If you experience any issues during the application process, please see the Fund Application FAQ.

    Round 1 : Applications will be accepted February 1 to 28
    Round 2 : Applications will be accepted July 1 to 31

SEPTEMBER 1 to 30

Childcare Financial Assistance Fund (CFAF)

Eligibility period: have/will have performed at least 30 hours of Unit 7 work between September 1 and August 31 in the year before application is made. (Applications are made the following September—that is, immediately after the eligibility period.)

Purpose: offset eligible childcare expenses and primary care expenses that are incurred between September 1 and August 31 in the year before application is made. Children must be within set age ranges to be considered eligible.

The Childcare Financial Assistance Fund (CFAF) supports members who are parents and either incur (1) childcare expenses (expenses related to paying a childcare provider for care of their child(ren) while a parent is at work or school), or (2) primary care expenses (defined as expenses associated with having the member, or a household or family member, provide primary care for one or more of their (step-)children in the eligible age range).

  • Anyone who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply:

    (a) You secured at least 30 hours of Unit 7 work between September 1 and August 31.

    (b) You have (step-)children in the eligible age range: from birth until the day they turn 16.

    (c) You have eligible childcare expenses supported by receipts, and/or you have documentation showing that you, or one of your household or family members, provided primary care for one or more of your (step-)children in the eligible age range.

    (d) Your childcare expenses are for childcare that took place between September 1 and August 31.

  • Eligible age ranges for the fund year:

    1. For childcare expenses, the eligible age range is from birth until the day they turn sixteen (16) years old.

    2. For primary care expenses, the eligible age range is from birth until September 1 of the calendar year in which they turn four (4) years old.

  • Eligible expenses include anything that would qualify as a childcare expense for tax purposes (see here for more information).

    Some examples include: babysitters, nannies, daycare, preschool, summer camps, March break programs, after school programs, and sports/activities/lessons offered through local recreation centres or the equivalent. Examples of ineligible expenses include: tuition for private primary school, school lunches, medical expenses, toys, clothing, food, swimming lessons, tennis lessons, and scout fees.

  • If you receive a daycare subsidy, you can still claim the unsubsidized amount through the CFAF. We ask that you disclose any subsidies to the Union along with your application.

    Subsidies will be deducted from your total childcare expenses for the fund year.

  • Yes. Please use a site like xe.com to convert the prices to CAD for the correct date/period (there are features on currency sites where you can convert an amount based on the date the receipt was issued or averaged over a period).

  • If you, or your household or family member, provide primary care for one or more of your (step-)children in the eligible primary care age range, then you will receive some support from the CFAF for each month your (step-)children were in the primary care age range.

    Each month that your (step-)children were in the primary care age range will be treated as an eligible expense.

  • Each year disbursement amounts vary depending on the total number of applicants and their overall need; thus, we cannot advertise disbursement amounts in advance. After all applications have been received and processed, caps are set on the maximum amount a member can receive for:

    (1) childcare expenses per child and,
    (2) primary care expenses per child.

  • Applications for this fund will be open September 1 to 30.

    Disbursements will follow in December, unless otherwise notified.

  • When the application opens on September 1, the form will be available online and accessible through the Union’s website. To find the application, login to the Member Portal (found by scrolling up to the top right of this page).

    A complete application for the CFAF will include:

    • the CFAF Application Form and,

    • a document summarizing childcare  eligible expenses (e.g. childcare, after-school programs, etc. and,

    • supporting documentation for:

      • childcare expenses, (to include the child’s birth certificate and receipts for all expenses claimed organized into a single PDF and ordered according to the date of the childcare expense [from September to August], and,

      • primary care expenses (to include the child’s birth certificate).

    You will receive an immediate confirmation email for each application you submit.

    PLEASE NOTE: if you do not receive a confirmation email you did not successfully submit the application.

    If you do not have a membership card (i.e., you do not have a CUPE No., found on the left-hand side of the Portal home page), you will be directed to fill out a Membership Application Form (also found on the ‘Forms’ tab).
    When your membership application is processed, the CFAF Application Form will be accessible through the portal.*

    *PLEASE NOTE: Processing membership applications can take up to one hour. Failure to fill out a membership application in a timely way is not grounds for submitting a late application.

    If you experience any issues during the application process, please see the Fund Application FAQ.

    Applications will be accepted September 1 to 30.

    FYI: Each year disbursement amounts vary depending on the total number of applicants and their overall need; thus, we cannot advertise disbursement amounts in advance. After all applications have been received and processed, caps are set on the maximum amount a member can receive (1) for childcare expenses per child and (2) for primary care expenses per child.

How to Access Application Forms

During application periods, forms will be accessible through the Member Portal. 

If, during application periods, you are eligible but do not see application forms on the Member Portal (under ‘Forms’), then you likely need to fill out a Membership Application Form (also found under the ‘Forms’ tab). When your membership application is processed, then the application forms for funds you may be eligible for will be accessible through the portal. 

PLEASE NOTE: processing of membership applications can take up to one hour. 

If you do not know your Member ID number, which is required for fund and membership applications, you can find it in your CUPE 3902 newsletter footer at the bottom of the email, or by filling out this form in the Member Portal. For support, please contact website@cupe3902.org.