Benefit Program
Benefit Program
1
Meet Day-to-Day Needs
WSWA members have built an 11-point membership benefit program to meet some of our immediate survival needs with the support of students, doctors, lawyers and small business owners, while we organize together for long-term change.
2
Self-Help
Members help members through WSWA’s Benefit Program, running food distributions, advocating against utility disconnections and deciding on actions through the Workers Benefit Council to bridge income shortfalls.
3
Mutual Benefit
We have a motto: If you need a benefit today, come back tomorrow and help the next member get along. That way, members utilize the benefit program and as soon as they are able, return to make it possible for other members to get the help they need, and we grow stronger together.
11-Point Membership Benefit Program
These and other membership benefits are available through request. Call WSWA and speak to an organizer if you need help, or to learn about ways you can participate and help build the benefit program.
Emergency Food
Non-perishable food items are available for members upon request to aid with immediate needs members have. Members can also enroll in a year-round, budget-savings program, which includes weekly fresh grocery distributions.
Utility Bill Advocacy
When WSWA members’ incomes do not meet their expenses, WSWA volunteer advocates work with members to fill out applications to low-income aid programs through WSWA’s Information & Referral Benefit, apply for assistance to official agencies and organizations and work out payment plans with utility companies in order to prevent utility shutoffs.
Legal
“Know Your Law” sessions conducted by volunteer attorneys present information about legal topics of interest to low-income workers as requested by WSWA members. Legal Advice is provided to a requesting member privately with a volunteer attorney, accompanied by a volunteer lay advocate to assist with the next steps of the attorney’s advice.
Medical
Volunteer doctors and other medical professionals donate their services for members. Other volunteers donate transportation, lab work and fill other needs for follow-up. Volunteer medical professionals also provide group presentations on health topics of interest to the members.
Dental
Volunteer dentists see members in their offices free-of-charge to provide non-emergency preventive and corrective care.
Budget-Saving Benefit Plan II
Benefit Program staff will suggest to members making repeat requests for emergency food, for example, that they apply to WSWA’s budget-saving Benefit Plan II. Volunteer caseworkers interview applicants and develop individualized budget plans and ask members to commit to volunteer on organizing activities. A plan is for a minimum of six months to a year, and targets ways to narrow a chronic household budget gap, freeing up income to cover other bills.
Benefit Plan II members join weekly supplemental food distributions of fresh produce and baked goods. Seasonal campaigns zero in on predictable spikes in expenses with Back-to-School new and like-new clothing and school supplies distributions, Holiday Campaign distributions of toys for parents to give to their children, and holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. An annual Winter Survival Campaign includes blankets and warm clothing distributions. The approach promotes the strength of independent organization operating under membership control