Regarding the funds in my individual health & welfare account, can I claim these monies?

Your Health & Welfare Benefits are provided through contributions which signatory productions make on your behalf when you work under an I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 or Local 669 contract. These contributions are remitted directly to the Local Union offices and are not taxable income to you. As a result in compliance with Revenue Canada and the Income Tax Act, these funds are maintained in a Trust Fund solely to purchase qualifying benefits and cannot be distributed beyond the scope of those benefits outlined in the Trust Document and in compliance with the Income Tax Act.