Frequently Asked Questions

Posted Aug 11, 2011 | Category: Bed bugs | Rating:

Parents of students in the entire building must be notified if there is an infestation, according to state law. An infestation is identified by bed bug reproduction in a given area. A single confirmed bed bug does not constitute an infestation. A DOE Pest Management professional must inspect the school and determine whether there is an infestation. Schools are not a friendly environment for bed bugs and the chance of an infestation is low. If it is determined that your school is infested,...

Posted Aug 11, 2011 | Category: Bed bugs | Rating:

The DOE Pest Management professional will inspect and, if necessary, treat the room in which the specimen was captured. In most cases, a thorough inspection and vacuuming of the room with a HEPA vacuum by the Pest Management Unit professional is the best treatment when there is not an infestation. If the Pest Management Professional determines that there is an infestation (bed bugs living and reproducing in the room), the rooms above, below and adjacent to the infested room will be inspected...

Posted Aug 11, 2011 | Category: Bed bugs | Rating:

No. Bed bugs are not known to cause or transmit disease and the risk of person-to-person transference in school is very low. No child should be isolated or removed from a classroom setting. It is important to remember that bed bugs can resemble other insects and that many bed bugs submitted for identification are not, in fact, bed bugs.

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If we see or capture a suspected bed bug in a classroom, should we close the room until a Pest Management Professional inspects it?

Posted Aug 11, 2011 | Category: Bed bugs | Rating:

No. If it is a bed bug, it is likely that it was unknowingly brought it into the school by someone who encountered it in another place. If you have captured it, you may have already eliminated the problem. Additionally, many suspected bed bugs are not bed bugs at all. You should send the captured specimen to the DOE Pest Management Unit for identification by following the protocol described in the DOE’s Bed...

Posted Jul 14, 2011 | Category: Teacher’s Choice | Rating:

If you have lost your debit card, you should call the Chase Customer Service number at 866-795-3890 to request a replacement card. Once the replacement card is mailed to your home address, you should immediately activate the card by calling the Chase Customer Service number provided.

Please refer to the Teacher's Choice Direct Payment Card Holders document...

Posted Jul 14, 2011 | Category: Teacher’s Choice | Rating:

All past participants who are direct-payment (debit) cardholders should activate their existing cards from school year 2010-2011 immediately if they have not yet done so and spend any remaining funds on the card before the card expires. Many cards are due to expire in December 2011. Also all cards received must be activated within a year of issuance in order to remain valid until expiration. Otherwise, funding on the card will expire and cannot be replenished.

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What happened to Teacher's Choice?

Posted Jul 14, 2011 | Category: Teacher’s Choice | Rating:

The program was suspended for the 2011-2012 school year -- an unfortunate casualty of the tight budget climate. Teacher’s Choice, which was started by the UFT and City Council in the 1980s, reimbursed teachers and classroom support staff for some of their out-of-pocket spending on school supplies. Using its discretionary funds, the Council restored money for schools and helped to save the jobs of 4,200 teachers in the final city budget on June 29, 2011. But it was not able to find additional...

Posted Nov 5, 2010 | Category: Eligibility for Retirees | Rating:

Yes. Unmarried dependent children up to age 26 can be enrolled in the Welfare Fund at no cost. Use the Age 26 coverage form. Also, young adults ages 26-29 can be enrolled in the Welfare Fund at full cost if they meet certain eligibility requirements. Use Age 29 form. Or call the Forms Hotline at 212-539-0539 to receive the form you need...

Posted Nov 5, 2010 | Category: Eligibility for Retirees | Rating:

Yes. A child who is living with and financially dependent on a grandparent is eligible for coverage. You’ll need to submit a Change of Status form and a Dependent Child Affidavit, or request these forms from the Forms Hotline at 212-539-0539.

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I was married two years ago. Now I want to add my spouse to my UFT Welfare Fund benefits. What will be the effective date?

Posted Nov 5, 2010 | Category: Eligibility for Retirees | Rating:

For a retroactively enrolled dependent, whether spouse, domestic partner or child, the effective date of eligibility is the beginning of the calendar year in which the dependent is added to the Welfare Fund.

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I have a special skill and want to teach a course. How should I proceed?

Posted Sep 6, 2010 | Category: Retiree Programs | Rating:

Contact the coordinator of the Si Beagle Learning Center and make an appointment to discuss your idea. Bring your resume and a course outline.

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How can I obtain the services of a social worker?

Posted Sep 6, 2010 | Category: Retiree Programs | Rating:

Retiree Social Services are available to retiree members and their families by calling 212-598-6880.

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What other states offer UFT Welfare Fund Retiree Programs? Is there a contact person?

Posted Sep 6, 2010 | Category: Retiree Programs | Rating:

There are coordinators in all five boroughs as well as Florida and Outreach Sections throughout the country. To find the phone number of the coordinator in your area, call the Retiree Programs’ office at 212-598-6879 or visit the UFT Welfare Fund Retiree Programs section of the UFT website.

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Who is entitled to participate in UFT Welfare Fund Retiree Programs?

Posted Sep 6, 2010 | Category: Retiree Programs | Rating:

All UFT and Welfare Fund retiree members, as well as their spouses or domestic partners on file with the Welfare Fund, are entitled to participate in the program.

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