Zolonite Attic Insulation Trust: How to Get A Grant for Asbestos Removal
Zonolite insulation is a brand name for vermiculite, a mineral attic insulation used throughout the 20th century.
The Zolonite company primarily mined its vermiculite from a mine in Libby, Montana, which was tainted with asbestos. Since Zonolite was also the top vermiculite insulation brand in the world, this means that the vast majority of vermiculite insulation used in attics worldwide is contaminated with asbestos.
Zonolite insulation can send asbestos particles airborne if it’s disturbed or damaged, making total removal a must-have for peace of mind. But luckily, there are ways to help cover your zonolite removal, like the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust.
Find out how the trust works, and how you can get a vermiculite removal grant here, courtesy of a Rhode Island asbestos removal company.
What Is the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust?
As a part of a legal settlement, Zonolite’s parent company founded an independent trust fund called the Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust.
The ZAI allows homeowners and property owners with Zolonite-brand insulation in their attics to file claims that help pay for removing the insulation.
You file the claim after you’ve already removed the asbestos yourself or paid a licensed asbestos removal contractor. If the ZAI accepts your claim, they’ll send you a reimbursement check that covers part of your asbestos removal expenses.
Am I Eligible for A Vermiculite Removal Grant from ZAI?
The ZAI has a handful of requirements to approve a claim, which you can see below.
Must be Zonolite Brand Vermiculite
The main requirement to get funds from the ZAI trust fund is that the vermiculite insulation MUST be Zolonite brand.
You have to provide the ZAI with proof in your claim, which you can include in a few different ways. Examples include:
- Photos of Zonolite bags left in the attic.
- An original receipt or invoice for the Zonolite insulation.
- A lab test result proving the vermiculite contains asbestos. (The ZAI can test samples for free.)
Must hire a professional contractor
The ZAI requires an invoice from a professional asbestos contractor to approve a claim.
You’ll also need to prove that removing or abating the Zonolite was an expense for you. The clearest way to establish this paper trail is by hiring a licensed asbestos contractor. The ZAI accepts two main ways of proving payment:
- A front & back photo of a canceled check, along with a checking account statement.
- A credit card statement showing your name & the transaction amount.
You can redact account numbers for privacy. But don’t redact your name, the dates, the transaction amount, or the asbestos contractor’s name.
Can be residential or commercial
You have to either own or rent the space with Zonolite insulation to file a claim. The ZAI approves claims from both private homes and commercial properties.
How Much Can I Get from The Zonolite Trust Fund?
The ZAI will pay 55% of the costs of professional Zonolite asbestos removal and re-insulation, with a maximum reimbursement currently up to $4,330.42. (The maximum amount can fluctuate year-by-year due to cost-of-living adjustments.)
According to data from ZAI collected over six years, the average Zonolite removal claim is $3,301.
You can ask that the payment be sent directly to you. Or, you can have the payment sent to your contractors.
How Do I File A Claim with The Zonolite Trust Fund?
First, you’ll need to make an account on ZAI’s website. You’ll be asked to fill out a claim form with the following information:
- Your name, address, and contact info
- The age of the building and the approximate date the Zonolite was installed
- The dates when you removed the Zonolite and added new insulation
- The name and contact info of your asbestos contractors, and proof of your payment.
- Whether you’d like to be paid directly, or if you’d like the payment forwarded
After you fill out your claim, the ZAI will review it and contact you if they need additional information. You should get an email if your claim is successful with information about when to expect your payment.
Tips for a Successful ZAI Claim
You can set your Zonolite trust fund claim up for the best chance of a successful approval with the following tips.
Plan Ahead
You’ll need proof that your vermiculite insulation is Zonolite brand before you have it removed. If the attic has Zonolite bags, take photos of them before you bring in your contractors, or ask your contractors to collect a sample before they start work.
You’ll also need to submit before and after photos in your claim. So, take clear “before” photos from multiple angles before work starts.
Don’t DIY
Don’t try to save money by DIYing any part of your Zonolite insulation removal. Not only is it dangerous, but it could jeopardize your claim.
Professional removal from a licensed contractor is essential to get your ZAI claim reimbursed. The trust requires a receipt or invoice from a contractor for approval.
Choosing a licensed contractor isn’t just safer for you. Going the professional route could actually save you money at the end of the day, since it’s the only way to get your claim reimbursed.
File Before Removal
Even though the ZAI requires before and after photos for an approval claim, you can actually file your ZAI claim before the work is done. If you need the vermiculite tested for asbestos, the ZAI can mark your claim as pending while you collect a sample and send it to them.
The ZAI processes claims on a first-in, first-out routine. So, file your claim as soon as you can to get it in the queue.
<Include All Your Costs
Make sure to include ALL of your expenses related to the Zonolite removal in your claim. Even if they’re higher than the $4,330 limit.
Since the maximum claim amount is adjusted due to the cost of living, there’s a small chance the limit might increase while your claim is in the system!
File Appeals
If the ZAI rejects your claim, you can request mediation within 30 days of a denial. If you disagree with the ZAI’s decision, start the process as soon as you can for better chances of a settlement.
Work with A Rhode Island Asbestos Removal Company
If you need a licensed asbestos removal contractor to take care of Zonolite insulation, PRIME Remediation is here for you.
We specialize in asbestos abatement in commercial buildings, and can help you collect the info you need to get your ZAI claim approved, like before and after photos and testing samples.
Contact us today to get a quote. We take pride in having the lowest prices in Rhode Island. If your Zonolite Trust claim is approved, we can also arrange to receive funds directly from the ZAI, so you pay less on your final invoice.