More funds available for some TBF benefits
The Transport Benevolent Fund has enhanced its range of benefits in the wake of Covid-19. TBF which currently has more than 67,000 members, is introducing an increase in the amount of benefit payable for the wide range of complementary and alternative therapies available to members.
John Sheehy, TBF CEO, says: “Even before we were all dealing with the devastating effect of Covid-19 it is a sad fact that in modern Britain there are cases of need, hardship, and distress amongst those working within the industry. This is best illustrated by the fact that, during the past 12 months, the Fund has paid more than £2.8million in awards to its members.”
“Later in the year, each TBF member, their partner, and dependent children will have access to two different types of therapies in a rolling 12-month period, as is the case now, but the amount for each will be raised to £300. Of course, the ability to access these therapies will be dependant on social distancing guidelines at the time.
“The Trustees have also had to make the very difficult decision of no longer offering massage as a benefit. Some time ago, office-based staff discovered a series of attempted fraudulent claims for massage; these are not always easy to detect. This has created a hugely increased workload as members of the claims staff have to double-check the validity of every single request and this situation is no longer workable.
“Our principal concern is to ensure that beneficiaries who are off sick and experiencing hardship, receive their grants on time. Therefore, as from 1 September 2020, massage will no longer be offered as a benefit, although members with a massage benefit claim already open at that date will continue to receive reimbursement until the full £250 allowance is exhausted.
“We will, of course, continue to offer chiropractic and osteopathy treatments and physiotherapy, so members will have other options for treatment if the need should arise.”
The budget allocated for the massage benefit will now be redistributed within the sickness hardship grant budget and other therapy treatments, adds Sheehy.
“The TBF team works tirelessly to help members and their dependants who find themselves in situations of genuine need, and help to improve members’ work-life balance and reduce staff turnover for the employer.”