Miscellaneous Benefits Eligibility a. If an IPT maintains an average of 50% time or more for six consecutive months in a regular assignment.. the IPT shall receive an offer of regular part time employment and upon acceptance of such offer will become eligible for benefits. If an IPT maintains an average of 50% time or more for six consecutive months in an as-needed assignment, the IPT shall become eligible for benefits and his/her status shall not change. In either event, the interpreter must maintain an average of 50% time or more during each succeeding six month period to be eligible to continue to receive benefits. If the employee fails to continue to be eligible for benefits because they have not worked the requisite average of 50% time, they shall become ineligible for benefits and they shall return to IPT status and shall be ineligible for benefits for a period of at least six months. An average of 50% time means that the interpreter's aggregate paid hours during the preceding six month period, when averaged, equals or exceeds 50% of the available work hours in each pay period. An employee who moves from IPT to regular part time status based on hours worked in home or cross assignments shall continue to be assigned/offered assignments on the same basis as before the change in status. The ability to reenroll shall be subject to the requirements of the benefit plan. Employees may use accrued discretionary leave to supplement work time if their work hours fall below the required 50% average. Part time employees who lose eligibility for- health insurance may be eligible for continuation of health insurance, at employee expense, based upon COBRA eligibility and health plan rules.
