Member Benefits
Truth. Love. Loyalty. That has been wfla’s motto for over 115 years and is still what we believe today. As a member of wfla, you become a part of an organization that does more for your family, and the community, than just sell insurance. We have a variety of benefits for our members for every stage of your life. WFLA is a strong supporter of family and community and is proud to serve both. Below are some of the great benefits we provide to our members.
Disaster Relief Benefit*
The Disaster Relief Benefit is designed to assist members who have been affected by a disaster and help them get back on their feet. If an eligible member suffers personal property loss as a result of any of the following specific disasters – flood, hurricane, earthquake, wildfire or tornado – a benefit of up to $500 will be paid to cover out-of-pocket expenses.
Eligibility Requirements:
“Out-of-pocket” expenses means gross expenses incurred less reimbursement from any relief agency or insurer. A “flood” is defined as an overflow of natural rivers, lakes and streams.
This benefit shall in no case exceed $500 per year for any family, regardless of the number of calamities sustained by that family and regardless of the number of benefit members owning the same damaged personal property.
The following regulations shall apply to the Disaster Relief Benefit.
- Completed application for this benefit, with accompanying loss verification, must be received at the Home Office within 180 days of the date of the disaster damage.
- On approval of the Management Team, the benefit shall be paid to the member of the certificate when the loss has been sufficiently substantiated.
- No insured members under the age of 18 may be eligible for this benefit.
- The Disaster Relief Benefit does not include landscaping costs of any type, nor the replacement cost of grass, trees, shrubs, or plants.
- The Disaster Relief Benefit does not cover damage resulting from water which enters a building due to sewer backup or sump pump failure.
- Must be a member of Western Fraternal Life Association for two years to receive benefits.
Fraternal Benefits – General Rules
- This Fraternal Benefit shall take effect on January 1, 2013.
- All decisions as to the eligibility of any applicant and/or the amount of any grant shall be determined at the sole discretion of the Management Team of Western Fraternal Life Association and shall be final as to all interested parties.
- No representation or undertaking shall be given by any officer or employee of the Association as to the eligibility of any member seeking this benefit or to the amount of any grant that may be made.
- No grant will be made except upon receipt of an application signed by the member, or in the case of the member’s prior death, by the member’s beneficiary; the application shall be in such form as the Management Team may approve.
- The Management Team shall have full authority to determine the manner in which all administrative acts required by these rules and regulations are to be carried out.
- This is a non-contractual benefit. The Board of Directors reserves the right to change, modify or discontinue this benefit or its provision at any time without prior notice.
For an application and more information please click here.
Family Benefit*
WFLA Family Benefit covers the costs associated with senior care, child care, respite care, elementary and secondary education, or extracurricular activities.
Up to five $1,000 Family Benefits will be awarded each August. Applications will be accepted between May 1 and July 1 each year. Applicants must be members in good standing for two years prior to the application and remain a member in good standing to receive the award. Applicants are asked to write a 150 word or less essay on how this will help their family. All applications will be considered and an independent third party will select the winners. Members may apply for this benefit each year. For an application and more information click here.
Orphan Benefits*
Tragedy can strike if both parents die while their children are still young. Two forms of financial help are available to the orphan if eligibility requirements are met. When eligibility requirements are met, wfla will contribute $250 per month for the orphan's support up to the age of 19. Orphaned children are eligible to receive up to $1,000 each year for four years for those who are enrolled in an accredited college or $1,000 each year for two years for a trade school of their choice. The money will be paid directly to the school. >> Click here to see eligibility details.
Newborn Child Benefit*
Qualified members can receive a newborn death benefit of $2,500 for a live-born child, if death occurs on or before the 60th day after birth. A qualified member (parent) may purchase a $5,000 permanent life insurance plan on their newborn at standard rates, regardless of the child’s insurability. The insurance must be applied for within the first 60 days of life. The coverage is effective after the 61st day. (If both parents are members and qualify under specific guidelines, they can purchase a $10,000 permanent insurance plan at the standard rate, for their newborn child.) The benefit is designed to provide the parent with insurance, at the standard rate for a newborn child who may not be insurable otherwise. >> Click here to see eligibility details.
Accelerated Death Benefit
Living Benefits For Those Terminally Ill
If your wfla life insurance contract includes the Accelerated Death Benefit rider, and you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of less than 12 months, you can receive up to 50% of your death benefit (minus any outstanding loans) prior to death. This benefit is considered a lien against your contract, so your beneficiary receives the remainder of your death benefit upon your death.
There are no restrictions on how this cash advance is used. You may pay medical bills, improve the quality of your life, or pay off your mortgage – whatever you choose to give yourself and your family peace of mind.
Accelerated Benefits may not be available in all states. To receive the benefit advance, members must have the Accelerated Benefit rider on their life insurance plan. You must have at least $50,000 of permanent life insurance coverage with WFLA to be eligible for the Accelerated Death Benefits rider. There is no premium charge for this rider.
National Projects
Western Fraternal Life Association supports a national project called JOIN HANDS DAY. JOIN HANDS DAY is the only national day of service that specifically targets and develops relationships between young people and adults through neighborhood volunteering. It is sponsored by America’s Fraternal Benefit Societies in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. Youth and adults work together, on an equal basis, to plan, organize and implement the day’s activities.
TopMedical Identification Card
A medical emergency card is available to any member requesting one. A medical emergency card contains vital information that emergency medical personnel need during the first few minutes of treatment. Members complete information on the reverse side of the card concerning blood type, allergies, medications and medical conditions.
TopMatching Funds*
The Association has two matching funds programs: one for members and the other for community charities.
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Member Matching Funds is a program designed to help members who are in financial need because of illness, accident, or natural disaster.
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Community Matching Funds is a program designed to encourage lodges to participate in a community fundraiser.
Community Matching Funds Form
Aid to Members Form
WFLA Youth Programs
WFLA's youth programs promote volunteerism and leadership through YELL! (Young Engaged Lodge Leaders) youth groups. The YELL! youth groups allow young members (and non-members) to develop ties to their community and give back in a unique way - bye planning and organizing service projects they care about. Please contact Kelsey Logan at klogan@wflains.org for more information.
TopChild Identification Kits
A kit is included with all new juvenile certificates. Within the kit is a fingerprint chart, an area for a recent photograph, and a place for pertinent information.
TopScholarships*
Western Fraternal Life Association recognizes the need for higher education and the increasing cost of obtaining this goal. WFLA offers 25 national scholarships annually for up to $1,000 to qualified members attending college or vocational programs.
The applicant must be a wfla member in good standing for two years prior to the application deadline. Applicants must also be accepted as a full-time student at a college/university or vocational/technical institution. Individuals may apply each year for the scholarship, however, they are eligible to win only twice. Independent judges base their decisions on ACT/SAT test scores, grades, activities, financial need, and a short essay.
Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Minnesota also offer state scholarships and many of our individual lodges offer scholarship opportunities. >> visit our scholarship page for details
<top>*These are non-contractual benefits, subject to change by the Board of Directors at any time.
