501(c) Agencies Trust

Claims management

Reducing claims is the key to saving money. Depending on your state, a single claim can cost as much as $23,000. Claims are managed by TALX UC eXpress, the leader in unemployment claims management. The Trust works with a dedicated claims team that is focused exclusively on Trust members and overseen by an expert with over 30 years' experience managing unemployment claims.

Members are provided protection from overpayment errors. The number of hearings is minimized due to a quick and thorough review of claims, and you get experienced hearings representation. In addition, 100% of contestable claims are protested.

With a dedicated claims management team, member agencies are better served in each region. This hands-on approach has led to the highest success rate in the industry, which means savings in staff time and claims costs for our members.

HR Services program

The HR Services program provides answers to your questions on a variety of issues, such as the coordination of benefits under FMLA, state family leave, pregnancy leave, medical leave, and personal leave.

This program provides members with sample written guidelines, forms, and policy language. It also provides research on recent rulings and consultations with labor attorneys and other experts when needed. Common issues the HR Services program can help you resolve include discipline procedures, wage and hour regulations, privacy law issues, downsizing and restructuring, COBRA administration, Employee Assistance Programs, HIPPA requirements, immigration issues, employee handbooks, ADA guidelines, and hiring practices.

Many of the questions the program receives come from small and medium-sized organizations that do not have a full-time HR professional on staff. But larger members often call for a second opinion from an outside resource.

Learn more about HR Services

Education/Information

The Trust provides education and information through the following outreach programs:

• Cost-saving workshops offered across the country, giving members an opportunity to learn practical approaches to keeping claims costs low while protecting employers from unnecessary exposure
• Take-home tools from workshops, including a handy Unemployment Training Manual for supervisors to refer to later or share with coworkers
• Claims tips and updates sent by e-mail to help members control costs and reduce claims
• A user-friendly program manual, providing quick answers to questions — the program manual is updated each year, so the information is always current and responsive to member needs
• A member-focused web site with accessible Trust information and easy navigation so members can quickly find the information they need
• Newsletters with updates and information
• Annual Reports to keep members informed about how the Trust is doing

Trust administration

The Trust manages member funds, reimburses the state for benefits paid, calculates annual deposits to members' reserve accounts, secures surety bonds, and provides member support services. Also included are the annual audit, insurance protection for the Trust, legal services, and other regular business activities.

Member Relations

Members often have important feedback or specific needs that are not addressed by our other services. Member Relations provides an opportunity for you to offer feedback or receive special attention for a particular need.

Reserve account

The trouble with legitimate unemployment claims is that they're unpredictable. That's why building reserves over time is the best preparation. Your agency's claim volume might be very low for months or even years, and then suddenly, it could skyrocket.

The Trust provides your organization with a reserve account that enables you to ride out claims fluctuations. Nonprofit organizations that pay state unemployment tax have a reserve account with the state. However, this account exists only on paper. The only way to access reserve funds is to generate unemployment claims, and reserves are not refundable under any circumstances.

In contrast, as a member of 501(c) Agencies Trust, you receive an individual reserve account that is owned solely by your agency, not the Trust or the state. You make predictable quarterly deposits, and your account grows with earnings from Trust investments.

Trust investments

Prudent investing is a significant part of the Trust's strategy for reducing your costs. Our conservative investment program combines the highest possible returns consistent with minimal risk and is based on the following key elements:

• Independent asset consultant — Wurts & Associates, an independent asset consultant with an investment base tens of billions of dollars strong, provides the Trust with ongoing analysis of investment results and advice on asset allocation.
• Strong, safe returns — Even during the market challenges of the past few years, our solid conservative approach has provided returns while protecting our assets.
• Expert portfolio managers — The 501(c) Agencies Trust portfolio is unbundled, which enables us to choose the best portfolio manager in each asset class rather than placing the entire portfolio with a single investment firm.
• Ongoing results monitoring — Trustees review results and strategies regularly to ensure investment objectives are realized.

Stop loss insurance

Stop loss insurance repays your reserve account if your unemployment claims exceed your deductible. Our highly effective claims management enables us to provide members with the lowest stop loss insurance deductibles available. That means lower deposit requirements for you, which increases your available program funds while protecting your budget from unnecessary risk.

The Trust is proud to offer you the protection that our unique insurance coverage provides. Stop loss insurance is not a standard coverage offered by insurance companies. In fact, we have been instrumental in its development. Stop loss coverage not only protects our members from one-time catastrophe, but it also prevents the budgetary crises that can result from routine unexpected claims. We work closely with our carrier on an ongoing basis to improve the effectiveness of this coverage.

Unemployment levels across the country have fluctuated over the past several years. It's good to know that you have protection if the unexpected occurs.

Learn more about how stop loss insurance works.

WA Group Retro program

Members from Washington state who demonstrate a good safety record may be eligible to participate in this program established through the Department of Labor and Industries.

With the strength of its nearly 250 members and its comprehensive loss prevention program, the WA Group Retro program has earned refunds from the Department of Labor & Industries in excess of $11 million. Find out how the program works and if your organization is eligible to participate.

• What is the WA Group Retro program?

  The WA Group Retro program rewards employers for maintaining a safe workplace and controlling workers' compensation costs. Since accident prevention and lower claims are universally beneficial, the Trust, through the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), established a retro program, allowing a portion of L&I premiums to be refunded to Retro participants. When losses are low, the refunds are substantial.

• How can I benefit from the WA Group Retro program?

  The WA Group Retro program offers several benefits:

  • Premium savings from improved experience factors
  • Refunds on premiums
  • Less paperwork
  • Better workplace safety
• Who can participate in the WA Group Retro program?

  To be eligible for the program, an employer must meet the following minimum criteria:

  • Be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) employer in the state of Washington
  • Report hours worked in one of twenty-three accepted risk classifications
  • Demonstrate a good safety record
  • Be current with payment of L&I premiums
• How does the program work?

  Each WA Group Retro year begins on October 1 and ends September 30. Member agencies continue to file quarterly reports with the Department of L&I and pay premiums. Each participant retains its individual L&I experience.

  At the end of each retro year, the Department of L&I calculates the retrospective adjustments. If WA Group premiums paid exceed developed losses (claim costs plus reserves), the Department refunds the excess premium to the group. As a large group, the WA Group is eligible for the maximum refund level. Refunds are distributed to member agencies each year when received.

  If claims exceed premiums, the WA Group Retro can be assessed up to 10% in additional premiums. The 501(c) Agencies Trust has established a reserve fund for protection against additional premiums.

• How do I participate in the WA Group Retro program?

  Each retro year runs from October 1 through September 30 of the following year. Applications for agencies first enrolling in the program must be received by September 1 to participate for the entire retro year. In some cases, new enrollments may also be considered quarterly. In subsequent years, participants simply provide The 501(c) Agencies Trust with updated information and the Department of L & I automatically renews participating members.

• How will the program help me with loss control?

  Integrated Claims Management (ICM), the WA Group Retro program claims administrator, provides services designed to save money and control losses for members.

  Services provided include:

  • Claims management that includes assurance of claim validity, facilitation of the claim process, and aggressive claim resolution
  • On-sight safety audits and recommendations
  • A written safety plan for loss control, which can be site-specific—assistance is provided with its implementation
  • Help with a transition back to work and reduction of time loss through consultation with physicians, assistance in the writing of the job offer, and procedures to ensure compliance with the process
  • Quarterly claim reports
  • Quarterly reports detailing activity on each open claim
  • On-site workshops as requested