The CARPENTERS & JOINERS WELFARE FUND is a multi-employer benefit trust fund established to provide health and welfare benefits to eligible union carpenters and joiners in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Operating through their website twincitycarpentersfringefunds.com, the fund serves as a crucial component of the union benefits structure for carpentry professionals in Minnesota. The fund administers various insurance and welfare programs, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage for active members and their eligible dependents. It operates under the guidelines of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and is jointly managed by a board of trustees comprising both labor and management representatives. Established through collective bargaining agreements between participating employers and the carpenters’ union, the fund collects contributions from employers based on hours worked by union members. These contributions are then used to provide and maintain the comprehensive benefit packages for eligible participants. The fund also manages eligibility requirements, processes claims, and provides administrative support for its members through its dedicated office staff. The organization maintains transparency with its members through regular communications about benefit changes, eligibility requirements, and important updates regarding coverage and claims procedures.