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Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness applications are available at http://www.teachnycpro
grams.net/sp/main.php.

For TransitChek benefits and other employee discounts see http://schools.nyc.gov/
Offices/DHR/MostPopular
Clicks/
EmployeeDiscounts.htm.

NYSUT: http://memberbenefits.
nysut.org

UFT Mortgage Information: http://www.uft.org/
member/money/
financial/mortgage

Tuition help

The Department of Education has offered several tuition-reimbursement, grant or loan-forgiveness programs as incentives to teachers to teach in hard-to-staff schools or to earn advanced educational credentials. See Appendix VII, Tuition Help.

Transitchek®

As a city employee, you’re eligible to save on public transportation costs by participating in the Transit Benefit Program. If you enroll, your transportation costs will be deducted from your gross salary, thereby reducing your taxable income. Your school payroll secretary has application forms and can explain the program in greater detail.

An enrollment form is also available at https://payrollportal.nycboe.net.

Flexible Spending Account

If you have substantial and predictable medical, healthcare or dependent care expenses (including childcare, eldercare, summer camp for your own children) that are not covered by your health plan, you can save money by enrolling in one of several city Flexible Spending Accounts.

  • Through payroll deductions, you will deposit pre-tax dollars in the account to pay for your anticipated costs. Your savings come from lowering your taxable income.
  • To learn more about these accounts, if they are right for you and how to enroll, see a UFT fact sheet at http://www.uft. org/news/faq_fas. If you have questions, call the city’s Flexible Spending Account Program at 1-212-306-7760.
  • Depending on which plan(s) you choose, the pay stub code is HCFSA, DECAP or both.

Note: There is a very limited period every year for enrollment.

Union Benefits

By becoming a UFT member, in addition to health, welfare and pension benefits (see pages 21 – 24) you have access to an array of benefits that will enhance your financial well-being and provide discounts for entertainment, car rental and travel.

Some of these benefits are provided by our statewide affiliate, New York State United Teachers, while others come through our national parent, the American Federation of Teachers.

Affordable Housing Program

The UFT has partnered with the community group ACORN and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to offer housing opportunities in the city to UFT members, whether they are looking to rent an apartment or buy a house, co-op or condo.

  • New York City employees, including UFT members, receive a preference in city-sponsored lotteries for affordable apartment rentals and home-ownership units.
  • HPD grants toward the purchase price of a first home and bank grants toward down payment or closing costs are available.
  • HPD’s household income limit for a family of four is $56,700.
  • ACORN provides no-cost home-buying seminars and one-on-one financial counseling sessions. See www.uft.org to register.
  • For housing lotteries, go to www.nyc.gov/hpd and click on the quick links at the lower right of the home page, “Apartments for Rent” and “Homes for Sale,” or call the HPD Affordable Housing Hotline at 1-212-863-5610. There is also a list of Mitchell-Lama developments with open waiting lists.

Mortgages

The UFT has made arrangements with several mortgage companies to provide members with a variety of discounts, ranging from very competitive interest rates to waivers of standard fees. These offerings can cover standard mortgages, home equity lines of credit, refinancing and debt consolidation.

Our Web site also contains useful information about buying a home or cooperative apartment.

Entertainment

The UFT’s Just for Fun Department offers a wide range of entertainment and other choices to members, including:

  • Discounted tickets to concerts, ballet, sports and other events.
  • Discounted movie tickets are a staple; at press time they were available for Clearview, Loews/Cineplex and United Artists theaters.
  • Travel packages.
  • Discounts to amusement parks.
  • Car rental discounts.
  • Defensive driving course, to save money on car insurance.

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