The New York State accidental death benefit for in-service UFT members and other public employees who have passed away due to COVID-19 has been extended through Dec. 31, 2024, thanks to the advocacy of the UFT and other public employee unions.

The original legislation, which was due to expire on Dec. 31, 2022, was passed in Albany at the height of the pandemic.

For family members to receive this benefit, a deceased UFT member must have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within 45 days of their last day at work, and the cause of death must be listed as COVID on the death certificate, or a certified health professional must state that COVID was a contributing factor in their death. Among other provisions, this policy provides the employee’s beneficiaries with 50% of the deceased member’s salary as an ongoing pension benefit and also covers health insurance for the surviving spouse for the rest of the spouse’s life (or until the spouse remarries) and for children up to age 26.

All other stipulations of the New York State accidental death benefit from 2020 remain in effect through 2024.

“This important legislation provides economic relief to our members’ families during a difficult time,” said UFT Treasurer Debra Penny. “It was worth fighting for.”

The usual death benefit for the beneficiary of a UFT member employed by the city Department of Education who dies while still working is a lump-sum payment of three times the member’s final salary. In the usual death benefit, health benefits for family members would cease at the end of the following payroll period.