• 2007 Edition
• Introduction
• General Information
• Dental Plan
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Optical Plan
• Hearing Aid Benefit Plan
• Disability Plan
• Death Benefit
• Continuation of Coverage
• Supplemental Benefits
• Health and Cancer
  Helpline
• Resources

Who is covered?

Employees of the New York City Department of Education who are “covered” under agreements with the United Federation of Teachers, and for whom the Department contributes monies to the UFT Welfare Fund.

Any other employee who is covered by a collective bargaining agreement in which the employer makes a contribution to the UFT Welfare Fund.

“Covered employees” are hereinafter sometimes referred to interchangeably as “employees” or “members.”

ELIGIBILITY RULES

Covered Members - In general, subject to the requirements pertaining to the definition of “covered employees,” members in covered categories are eligible for benefits as long as they are considered as being in-service.

In-service status is determined by, and runs concurrently with, the period for which contributions are appropriately paid, or should have been paid for the member, by the NYC Department of Education or other appropriate entity to the UFT Welfare Fund. Members on leave with pay are considered to have in-service status.

Dependents - Dependents of eligible members as defined below are eligible for all benefits except the death benefit, disability and in some cases supplemental benefits.

1. Legally married husband or wife.

2. A ’domestic partner’, defined as any individual, eighteen years of age or older, who is not married or related by blood to the member in a manner that would bar marriage in the State of New York, who has a close and committed personal relationship with the member, who lives with the member and has been living with same on a continuous basis, and who, together with the member, has registered as a domestic partner of the member and has not terminated the domestic partnership. Members can obtain details concerning eligibility, enrollment and tax consequences from the New York City Office of Labor Relations Domestic Partnership Liaison Unit 212-306-7605.

3. Unmarried children under age 19. The term “children” for purposes of this and the following definitions, includes:

The coverage termination date for children reaching age 19 will be the end of the month during which the child reaches age 19.

4. Unmarried dependent children age 19 to 23 who are full-time students. Unmarried dependent children between 19 and 23 who are full-time students at an accredited degree-granting educational institution. A “Dependent Student Certification Form” must be completed and submitted to the Fund each fall semester to confirm eligibility of student status. The form is available at the UFT Welfare Fund website www.uftwf.org or by calling the forms hotline at 212-539-0539. The termination date for student coverage will be the end of the calendar year (December 31st) of the student’s 23rd birthday, loss of full time student status, or graduation, whichever occurs first.

5. Unmarried children who cannot support themselves because of a mental illness, developmental disability, mental retardation, or physical handicap. If the disability occurred before the age at which coverage would otherwise terminate, and the dependent was covered by the City at that time, coverage will be continued, by submitting to the Fund the acceptance of the disability letter from your basic health carrier and a completed “Disabled Dependent Child Affidavit (DDCA)” form. The form is available at the UFT Welfare Fund website www.uftwf.org or by calling the forms hotline at 212-539-0539.
The following procedure must be followed:

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