BENEFITS
TEACHING ASSISTANTS
The benefit application process has changed for 2024-2025,
all applications are now submitted via the Google forms below.
Please carefully read the instructions for how to correctly submit an application and
provide all requested documentation.
DISCLAIMER: Applications that are incomplete, missing required documentation, and/or do not meet the benefit's eligibility criteria cannot be considered.
Extended Health Plan
The Extended Health Plan is a supplement to Graduate Teaching Assistant's existing health insurance (e.g., the SOGS supplemental health plan or private insurance). The Extended Health Plan acts as a rebate system that covers both physical and mental health costs up to $1000/year.
All members who have held a Teaching Assistant position for at least one term in the 2024 - 2025 academic year are eligible for the fund.
This form is for expenses incurred during the September 2024 - August 2025 academic year. The form will close on September 30, 2025.
The form for the CURRENT September 2025 - August 2026 academic year will open October 1, 2025.
Mental Health Fund
Similar to the Extended Health Plan, the Mental Health Fund acts as a rebate system that covers $599/year towards mental health costs (e.g., therapies, medications, etc). Once you have used all $599, members are welcome to use their Extended Health Plan and subsequently, Financial Assistance Funds to cover any remaining mental health costs.
All members that have held a Teaching Assistant position for at least one term in the academic year are eligible for the fund.
Per the Bylaws, the fund is available on a first come, first serve basis until the allocated $51,000 is exhausted. The fund has been exhausted for 2024 - 2025.
You may still submit a claim but the reimbursement will come out of your remaining EHP balance. Unfortunately, if you have exhausted your EHP balance, you will be unable to seek reimbursement.
This form is for expenses incurred during the September 2024 - August 2025 academic year. The form will close on September 30, 2025.
The form for the CURRENT September 2025 - August 2026 academic year will open October 1, 2025.
Financial Assistance Fund
The Financial Assistance Fund exists to provide support to members who experience unexpected financial need. There are four types of expenses that can be funded with appropriate justification, please select the type of assistance you would like to apply for from the options below:
Fall Term: September 1st to December 31st (Forms will be available October 1, 2025)
Winter Term: January 1st to April 31st
Summer Term : May 1 to Aug 31
The terms divide into Summer (May–August), Fall (September–December) and Winter (January–April), and here refer to the time the committee adjudicates the application, not the date of the expense itself.
In addition, the committee cannot consider expenses for which the receipts are more than 12 months old.
Note that this fund is limited and we cannot offer funding to all applicants. The Union's Financial Assistance Committee determines priority.
Food Support Fund
Food Support is intended to aid members who are experiencing unexpected financial need or an emergency that diverts income from their food budget. With a limited budget, the fund is not sufficient to address chronic need and may only be received once per academic year. Given these limited resources, not everyone will be approved.
The Food Support committee will determine the amount available for disbursement to eligible members (including additional amounts for dependents) and the maximum disbursement per term/year. Members who live with a partner who is also employed as a GTA or Postdoc at Western shall apply together on one application.
Fall Term: September 1st to December 31st (Form will be available Oct. 1, 2025).
Winter Term: January 1st to April 31st
Summer Term : May 1 to Aug 31
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee and Family Assistance Program services are provided by Morneau Shepell. It offers employees access to 24/7 crisis support, individual counselling, group therapy, and family services. Telephone assistance is available by calling 1-844-880-9142, more information can be found by following the link.
UHIP Assistance
Based on our Collective Agreement, the employer provides funds to allocate towards the International UHIP Refund Program. Any member that has held a Teaching Assistant position for at least one term in the academic year, who pays UHIP fees, is eligible for UHIP assistance.
Each year the application process will open and close in the spring. The amount allocated to the program shall be divided by the number of eligible applicants, and each eligible applicant shall receive a direct deposit.
The 2024-2025 deadline to submit an application was March 31st, 2025. Applications are now closed until 2026.
Summer Support Program (SSP)
The Summer Support Program (SSP) exists to provide support to members who receive little to no funding from their program and university during the summer term. If you held a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) position at any point during the 2024-2025 academic year you may be eligible.
Members are eligible if all of the following condition are met:
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Summer income is less than $1000/month from your program/university (ie. GTA, GSA, Graduate Fellowship)
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Net WGRS income in the summer is less than $1000/month
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Make $23,360 or less during the entire academic year (the equivalent of the base PhD funding package)
The deadline to submit applications for Summer 2025 was August 22nd, 2025.
Applications are now closed until 2026.