On this page: Initial Eligibility, When Coverage Begins, When Eligibility Terminates, Dependents

To become eligible for benefits provided by this Fund you must have accumulated and had reported to the Fund (by your signatory employer) covered earnings of at least $31,748 (as of April 1, 2008) during a period of four or fewer consecutive calendar quarters. This amount of covered earnings is equal to the Writers Guild of America minimum for a one hour network prime-time story and teleplay.

This amount will increase to $32,700 on July 1, 2009 and $33,681 on July 1, 2010. Earnings minimums will increase with any increase in the Guild minimum provided by the collective bargaining agreement.

Because of the time needed to receive and process earnings reports, there is a three month (one calendar quarter) lag period between your satisfying the earnings requirement and commencement of coverage. Once your coverage begins, it remains in effect for 12 consecutive months (four consecutive calendar quarters).

The following chart shows when coverage will begin based upon when the earnings requirement is satisfied, and the four quarter earnings cycle in which the earnings requirement must be satisfied in order to maintain continued coverage:

If you do not satisfy the earnings requirement within the appropriate four quarter earnings cycle, your coverage will end on the last day of the 12 month period during which you were eligible for coverage.

If your eligibility terminates, you may be able to continue coverage under the Excess Earnings Program (also known as the $250k extension), the Extended Coverage Program or the COBRA Continuation Coverage Program.

Once your eligibility terminates, you can reestablish eligibility by satisfying the earnings requirements as described in the above section entitled “initial eligibility”.

Please refer to the "Dependent Premium" tab for information regarding eligible dependents, the required documentation and fees required for their coverage.