Q. What does it cost for the employer to participate in BCT?

Q. With a plan like this, it sounds as if my employees are better off not
     working. Is that true?

Q. Can the money be used for anything else?

Q. How does the BCT pay for expenses?

Q. How do the employees get their money?

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Q. What does it cost for the employer to participate in BCT?

A. There is no cost to participate in this supplemental unemployment plan. As with any program, there is a small amount of added work on your staff to get the program set up and running smooth. BCT customer support will provide all the forms to get started. We will also work with your payroll department to answer any questions that may arise.

 Q. With a construction benefit plan like this, it sounds as if my employees are better off not working. Is that true?

A. First impressions would make it sound that way. However, you as the employer have full control over your employee's ability to draw unemployment benefits from their account. The plan is written around state and federal unemployment guidelines. If you have work for the employee and they refuse that work, the employee is not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Q. Can the money be used for anything else?

A. As stated, the funds are based on the rules established by state and federal unemployment guidelines and can only be used when the employee is not employed. Please keep in mind that the employee can request money from his or her account any week they do not work 40 hours. The hours worked and those requested from the fund may not exceed 40 hours total.

Q. How does the BCT pay for expenses?

A. The BCT takes 8% of each employer's contribution to pay the administrative for the supplemental unemployment plan. In addition, each employee is charged a $3.50 per month maintenance fee for each month the account has activity. The maintenance fee is offset by the interest each employee earns for the money in his or her account. The interest rate coincides with simple bank interest rates.

Q. How do the employees get their money?

A. The employee can request unemployment benefits from his or her account for any week they do not work 40 hours, allowing them to draw as little as four (4) hours at a time. The employer must approve this request. The employer fills out a request form and faxes it to BCT by the end of the day on Tuesday. The money will be dispersed on Friday. For convenience, each employee is given two options to receive funds - direct deposit or a pay/debit card. The pay/debit card is good anywhere in the U.S. and can be used at any ATM machine.