What are my Welfare Fund benefits?
The UFT Welfare Fund provides:
Dental
Optical
Hearing Aid
COBRA
Medicare Part D Catastrophic Reimbursement
Retiree Programs
Optional Rider Reimbursement and
Legal Plan with Elder Law Suppement
See the applicable chapter(s) in this Red Apple for the
benefits listed above.
Note: For other benefits provided by the UFT, consult
your UFT-RTC Retiree Handbook.
All eligible members are covered by a City basic health
plan of their choice. For detailed descriptions of these
benefits refer to the NYC Health Benefits Program
Summary Program Description booklet. Additionally,
members may contact the different plans listed in that
booklet for further information. This booklet is available
at the UFT Welfare website www.uftwf.org.
How do I update information?
All members must notify the Fund Office of a change in
marital status or dependent status by filing a Change
of Status Form. When enrolling or changing dependents,
the member must attach or submit photocopies of necessary documentation
to the Change of Status Form. The Fund reserves the right to request additional
documentation verifying the bona fide relationship of any dependent to a
member.
COVERAGE RULES
When does coverage begin?
Coverage begins on the date that you meet the criteria specified in the
Who is Covered? section.
Dependents become eligible on the same date as the member, or on the date
they first become eligible dependents.
When does coverage terminate?
Coverage for a member terminates in the following situations:
- when the member returns to “in-service” status
- when the NYC Department of Education ceases to make contributions to the Fund on their behalf
- upon death
Dependent coverage terminates when a member's eligibility ends for any reason other than death, or on the date when the dependent no longer meets the definition of eligible dependent, whichever occurs first. Upon the member's death, dependent coverage terminates at the end of the fourth month that death occurred.
What do my dependents do if they lose coverage?
1. COBRA - The Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, (COBRA), requires that the City and UFT Welfare Fund offer eligible dependents of members the opportunity to continue health and certain Welfare Fund benefits at 102% of the group rate. The maximum period of coverage is thirty-six (36) months.
Refer to the COBRA Section for further details.
2. DEPENDENT SURVIVOR COVERAGE - In cases of the
member’s death, dependent coverage terminates three (3)
months following the month in which the member died.