CUPE 3908 Unit 2: Gender Affirmation Fund

Download the Gender Affirmation Fund Application and Expense Claim Form

What is the Gender Affirmation Fund?

The Gender Affirmation Fund is a fund of $5,000 that is available to support social, legal, medical, and other transition related costs that are not covered by OHIP or any other government program that the member is able to/or wishes to access. It is available on a first-come basis to support CUPE Unit 2 members and their families requesting financial assistance.

This fund understands that there are many barriers/reasons as to why an individual may not be able to access funding through OHIP, other government programs, or insurance. This may include unsupportive or nonexistent medical teams, religious choices, and the desire to choose a specific surgeon/medical procedure variation. This fund was created to eliminate barriers, not create more.

How do you define ‘transgender’?

The fund understands the term transgender to mean an individual who has a gender or genders that do not align, entirely or in part, with the gender that they were assigned at birth. There are many identities that fall under the umbrella of transgender, including but not limited to: trans, trans woman, trans man, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, two-spirit, and gender-fluid.

Who is eligible to apply to the fund?

Individuals who are members of CUPE3908 Unit 2 at the time that they apply for assistance under the fund as well as their domestic partners and dependent children.

What types of expenses are covered by the fund?

The list included below outlines examples of the expenses that the fund covers. We recognize that we could not anticipate every possible relevant expense in advance, so if you want to claim a particular expense but do not see it on the list, we encourage you to apply.

How do I submit an application/expense for assistance under the fund?

To submit your application, please complete the form linked here (it is also linked at the top and bottom of this document). Expenses not eligible for coverage under another benefit plan may be submitted under this fund. You may then send completed applications to Trent’s Pension and Benefits Advisor at any time. Requests will be authorized on a reimbursement basis provided they conform to stated limits elsewhere in this document.

Once delivered to the Human Resources office, the application and all subsequent and related correspondence shall be treated confidentially in the same manner as medical records. These items will not be included in the member’s general Personnel File and shall not be available except on a need-to-know basis for the purpose of administering the fund.

The current contact information for Trent’s Pension and Benefits Advisor is as follows:

Carley Brook, Pension and Benefits Advisor
(705) 748-1011, ext. 7569, cbrook@trentu.ca

Do you prioritize certain expenses over others?

Any costs incurred by a trans member in relation to their trans identity are important to that member. It is not our place to make subjective value judgments about the relative value of an expense, or to create a hierarchy of costs. The fact that a member believes an expense to be important and necessary is all that we need to know. In the event that the Fund does not have sufficient resources to meet all requests from it, the applicant will be encouraged to apply again in the following year. 

Are there limits as to how much I can receive?

Yes. There is an annual maximum limit of $5,000 of support for any CUPE 3908 Unit 2 member, and $2500 for domestic partners, and dependents. 

If I have difficulty paying my costs up-front, can I apply for funding prior to making an expensive purchase or doing surgery?

No funds will be provided in advance; however, funds can be earmarked for members to allow for reasonable planning of expenses. To earmark funds, please provide documentation outlining estimated costs, timeline, or exact date of service or purchase. 

To ensure that all members have equal opportunity to access funds, earmarked funds cannot be held indefinitely. Earmarked funds will be held for up to 3 months. Members who have a known date, for example a surgical date, that is further out than 3 months can simply contact us to confirm that the information is still accurate, and the funds can then continue to be held. If eligible, based on CUPE affiliation at the time of service or purchase, members can apply retroactively for funding with valid documentation. If funds are no longer needed, please reach out to us as soon as possible to allow us to open the funding up again to other members.

List of Expenses

The list of possible expenses below is intended to provide an expansive example of possible expenses. As stated above, we recognize that we could not anticipate every possible relevant expense in advance, so if you want to claim a particular expense but do not see it on the list, we encourage you to apply. 

Please note that the example expenses provided below are in no particular order:

• Gender Affirming Surgeries
  • This fund will cover the remaining portion of any gender affirming surgery that the member has not secured funds for, not exceeding the annual maximum limit and/or accounting for remaining money in the fund.
  • This fund does not act as a judge and will also provide funds for surgeries outside the scope of what OHIP covers. For example, facial feminization surgery.
• Travel Costs Associated with Gender Affirming Medical Procedures
  • This may include the cost of gas and/or transit, housing expenses, and any meal expenses as per Trent University’s per diem for travel. Additionally should a medical procedure require a care person accompany the applicant, their expenses would also be eligible.
• Permanent/Semi-Permanent Hair Removal
• Gender Affirming Prosthetics/Garments
  • There are many different types of gender affirming prosthetics/agreements, below are common examples:
    • Breast Forms
    • Bras and breast form bras
    • Gaffs/tucking undergarments
    • Packers/STPs
    • Packing undergarments
    • Binders
    • Wigs/hair pieces
    • Gender affirming swimwear
• Clothing
  • Transitioning can mean the replacement of an entire wardrobe. This fund recognizes that replacing a wardrobe, especially professional attire, can be costly.
  • Lifetime maximum limit of $500 for clothes for members, $250 for dependents and domestic partners.
• Mental Healthcare
  • There may be costs associated with accessing support groups, therapists, and other aspects of mental healthcare that are not covered by other means.
• Legal Documentation
  • Fees associated with the cost of updating/replacing legal documents. This can include name changes, passport/residency documentation, and any fees associated with updating academic documents.
• Books
  • Books can be an important tool for self-discovery and self-exploration. This fund recognizes that purchasing biographies, short stories, self-help books, and other literature can play an important role in an individual’s transition.
  • Lifetime maximum limit of $500 for books for members, $250 for dependents and domestic partners.

Download the Gender Affirmation Fund Application and Expense Claim Form