Lecda Life

LECDALIFE Group Life Insurance Program

LECDALIFE and LECDALIFE-KIDS Program

LECDALIFE is an affordable supplemental group life insurance program developed and run by the Lebialem Cultural and Development Association (LECDA-USA Inc.), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is intended to provide funeral assistance to its registered members in good standing.

LECDALIFE: Benefit Package and Contribution

This is the general program for adult members.

Standard Benefit Package

A member in good standing receives a standard compensation of $15,000 upon death, irrespective of where they die or are buried. LECDALIFE is unique in covering burial in the US, Cameroon, or other parts of the world.

Half Benefit Rule

A member who dies within one year (365 days) after becoming active with a policy or matriculation number will receive half of the standard benefit package ($7,500), provided the member was in good standing at the time of death.

Contribution Example

The benefit is raised by dividing the payout by the number of existing adult members.

Example (with 3,000 adult members):
$15,000 รท 3,000 members = $5.00 per person.
An affiliated group of 20 members will receive an invoice of $100 ($5 x 20).

Membership Criteria and Fees

Residency and Enrollment

  • Residency: Member must be physically present in North America at registration (includes domiciled or long/short stay visitors).
  • Group Enrollment: Membership is open to any group of 20 or more members such as cultural, social, alumni, professional, or religious groups.
  • Family Groups: A family of not less than 10 members can enroll independently as a group in LECDALIFE.
  • Individual Enrollment: Individuals can enroll only through an affiliated group.

Waiting Period, Fees and Reinstatement

  • Waiting Period: 5 months or 150 days for every new or returning member.
  • Fees (After Waiting Period): Enrollment fee: $20 and Annual administrative fee: $12 (Two payments due).
  • Reinstatement: Members who withdraw and rejoin must pay a $300 reactivation fee plus retroactive contributions on all deaths during their lapsed period.
  • Enrollment Window: From the 20th to the 28th of every month or during special annual enrollment.

Delinquency and Benefits

  • Prompt Payment: Groups must make prompt payment on an invoice’s deadline to remain in good standing.
  • Delinquency Risk: Late or non-payment puts the group at risk of not benefiting at the time of a member’s death.
  • Benefit Package Increase: The Death Benefit Package may increase based on LECDALIFE consultation with its existing members.

Claim Process and Funeral Protocol

Documents Needed to Claim Benefits

  • Death Certificate.
  • Identification and contact information of next-of-kin by Group Coordinator.
  • Photo of the deceased member (to be shared on LECDALIFE WhatsApp).
  • Proof of USA residency (required only for death outside the USA).
  • LECDALIFE Claim Form completed and notarized by the beneficiary.
  • Note on Fund Use: Payment is for funeral assistance, but LECDALIFE does not dictate how the beneficiary uses the funds.

LECDALIFE Presenting at Funeral

LECDALIFE is committed to having an administrator or representative at the funeral of a deceased member.

The Group Coordinator is expected to provide funeral information ahead of time and negotiate a prime time slot for the representative to:

  • Present the condolence message.
  • Publicly hand the check to the beneficiary.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

What are the advantages of enrolling in LECDALIFE rather than other supplemental life insurance programs?
While all other supplemental group life insurance caters to people who wished to be buried in Cameroon, LECDALIFE covers everyone, including people who have decided to be buried in the US or other parts of the world.
What factors can affect one from receiving benefits through LECDALIFE?
i) Lack of proper documents to prove US residency at the death of a member (if outside the US). ii) The group is in delinquency due to late payment or non-payment of a previous invoice at the death of the member. Coordinators must ensure groups are in good standing at all times.
Can someone else take out this insurance program on my life?
Enrollment is through affiliated groups, based on the group’s internal regulations. Groups are recommended to encourage families to enroll all its members, even if only one member belongs to the group.
Is payment made for the purpose of covering funeral expenses or can it be used for other purposes?
Payment of death benefit is made to the next-of-kin or designee and the intent is to help cover the funeral cost. However, LECDALIFE does not insist on how the money will be used by the beneficiary.
Can I enroll as an individual?
Individuals can enroll only through an affiliated group. If you live in an area without a group: 1) Consider recruiting 20 members for the sole purpose of enrolling in LECDALIFE. 2) If you have a small family of not less than 10, you are encouraged to enroll just your family as a group.
What information is needed when I am applying for LECDALIFE?
For a new group: The name of the group, names, phone numbers and email addresses of two coordinators, and the names (as in official documents), date of birth, and USA location of all its members.
Will the Death benefit Package increase?
LECDALIFE, in consultation with its existing members, will make changes as deem fit by its members.

LECDALIFE-KIDS Program

This program was created to lessen the financial burden on families, noting that many children in North America are not covered by any life insurance program and that parents who enrolled their children in an adult life program struggled to make payments when a death occurs.

Enrollment Requirements and Eligibility

  • Eligibility: Children below 18 years.
  • Residency: Must be a resident of North America with a physical address in the USA.
  • Parent Requirement: A parent or legal guardian of the enrolling child must be a member of LECDALIFE.
  • Fees: $20 one-time registration fee and $12 Annual administrative fee.
  • Waiting Period: 5 months or 150 days upon enrollment.

Required information: Child’s name, date of birth, names of both parents, and their LECDALIFE matriculation numbers (if applicable). Parents can also enroll in LECDALIFE while enrolling their children.

Benefits and Contributions

  • Benefit Payout: When a death occurs, $10,000 will be disbursed to parents or legal guardians for funeral expenses, irrespective of the place of burial.
  • Contribution: Children in this program will only contribute when a death occurs in their category (0 to below 18 years of age).
  • Payout Calculation: The $10,000 sum is raised by dividing it by the number of children enrolled and active in the program.
  • Transfer to Adult Program: Once a child turns 18, he/she will be transferred to the adult program. No registration fee is required for the transfer.

LECDALIFE vs. LECDALIFE-KIDS Comparison

Feature LECDALIFE (Adult/General Program) LECDALIFE-KIDS Program
Target Age/Group Adults (Individuals enroll through affiliated groups) Children below 18 years
Benefit Payout (Standard) $15,000 compensation. $10,000 disbursed to parents/legal guardians.
Registration/Admin Fee $20 one-time enrollment fee and $12 annual administrative fee (after waiting period). $20 one-time registration fee and $12 Annual administrative fee (paid upfront).
Contribution Method Members contribute when a death occurs (e.g., $5.00 per person). Children only contribute when a death occurs in their category (0 to below 18 years of age).
Waiting Period 5 months or 150 days. 5 months or 150 days upon enrollment.
Half Benefit Rule A member who dies within a year (365 days) after becoming active receives $7,500. Not mentioned in the program details.
Transfer N/A Once a child turns 18, they are transferred to the adult program with no registration fee.

Administrators and Contact Information

LECDALIFE is run by six dedicated administrators. Find the one in your region:

  • Dr. Stephen Fomeche: CA, NM, WA, and Texas – (520) 245-2162
  • Dr. Pamela Fonju Nkemaka: DC, MD, and VA – (973) 704-8158
  • Maiheku Akembain Josephine Taliah: Ohio – (614) 352-0542
  • Barrister Fedelis Fonkumallah: Arizona – (602) 236-3994
  • Dr. Cornelius Bela: New England and NY/NJ – (781) 267-0360
  • Prof. Aloysius Amin: Georgia and Carolina – (770) 309 -9925
  • CEO Pascal Etiendem: CEO of LECDA-USA – (520) 981 -5227
  • Ms. Nkong Tankeng: Administrative Assistant – (520) 576-3549

Email: LECDALIFE@gmail.com
Website: www.lecdalife.com
Office Address: LECDALIFE Administrators, 9555 North Albatross Drive, Tucson, Arizona 85742

No excuse to do embarrassing carwash or GoFundMe for a loved one!

For the respect of your dignity in life and in transition, JOIN LECDALIFE / LECDALIFE-KIDS with all your family members, friends, and community!