As of May 2026, all DOE employees who receive their regular, recurring paychecks via direct deposit, but who receive paper checks for per session work, will need to enroll in direct deposit for per session payments. Enrollment must be completed by...

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets nationwide rules for minimum wage, overtime pay and recordkeeping for most public and private workers. Employees covered by the FLSA may qualify for a new IRS-approved tax credit. Among UFT-represented...

There are a number of community resources that can help those who are being affected by their loved one’s struggle with addiction. Traditional supports include Al-Anon for families impacted by another person’s alcoholism, Nar-Anon for families...

Life is what happens after treatment, therefore aftercare is extremely important! Effective aftercare means attending support groups, having a sponsor and being in consistent therapy. Remember, addiction is a disease that requires attention. If you...

Addiction is a disease of the brain and as such requires medical attention. If you decide to go to inpatient rehab, it is your responsibility to contact your payroll secretary and principal prior to your admission and inform them that you will be...

If you need a more immediate resource with specific times and days for a group, you may look at the New York Inter-Group schedule. SMART Recovery is also a great source of support for those who do not align with a traditional 12-step model. The...

The Member Assistance Program can help you understand the next steps. Everyone’s journey towards recovery looks different and it can feel overwhelming to navigate it. You don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to MAP at 212-701-9620, or email...

While this varies with your insurance, usually if you go to an in-network facility, your insurance covers treatment and you will be responsible for a modest co-payment. Contact your insurance company to understand what your out-of-pocket...

Depending on the history of your use, it can be therapeutic to take a break from your everyday environment and go somewhere where you can focus on understanding the nature of your addiction and learn new coping strategies to deal with cravings and...

Drug detoxification, or detox, is sometimes the first step in a comprehensive rehabilitation program, depending on what substances you are using. Detox can prevent unpleasant or fatal consequences that can arise from sudden cessation of use. It is...

Rehabilitation services (or “rehab”) are meant to help a patient reset some of the patterns that have led to the cycle of the addiction process. Rehab is where you stay at a facility for a set amount of time (up to 28 days, but can be shorter or...

Treatment varies depending on the addictive behavior being displayed. Recommendations for treatment are based on a thorough evaluation of the relationship you have with the substance(s)/behaviors you are engaging in. More intense treatment could...

The Member Assistance Program is committed to your well-being. Apart from offering short-term counseling services, MAP offers confidential support around addiction with a trained professional who can assess mental health and substance use issues and...

There is no limit to the number of times you can use the UFT Mental Health Helpline. Please note that the helpline is not a substitute for long-term counseling and you are not guaranteed to receive the same counselor every time you call.

Contacting the UFT Mental Health Helpline is free of charge as a benefit of being a UFT member. The cost of services by external providers that the helpline may refer you to is based on various factors. Please check with your health insurance...

Both MAP and the UFT Mental Health Helpline are confidential services. Exceptions to confidentiality only occur if you are at imminent risk to yourself or others.

If your call is mental health related, yes! If your call is related to other union-related inquiries, no. Please call the UFT Call Center at 212-331-6311 for any non-mental health related inquiries – including information about leaves, pension...

For immediate help 24/7, in multiple languages. When in need of mental health assistance after normal business hours, on weekends or on holidays. Finding someone to speak with, in the language you feel most comfortable in, to help manage life’s...

For non-urgent situations when you can wait up to 48 hours for a call back from the MAP Program. Call the UFT Mental Health Helpline if you are in crisis, experiencing distress, need resources or a referral. Our counselors are available for UFT...

All UFT members and their families. You will be asked to verify your membership with your UFT ID number.

The UFT's Member Assistance Program has teamed up with Vibrant Emotional Health to provide vital mental health support whenever a UFT member or their families are in need. Our 24/7 dedicated mental health support line is available 365 days a year in...

The Member Assistance Program is available free of charge to all UFT members. Your insurance plan may cover services for additional resources or referrals, depending on the plan you are enrolled in.

A counseling session is a confidential meeting between you and a MAP mental health professional to discuss your concern and figure out how best to resolve it.

Short-term individual counseling provided by professionally trained and licensed counselors in our offices for a variety of concerns members may have, from marital or family problems to stress or workplace issues or alcohol and drug addiction Short...

The UFT Member Assistance Program can help members: Find mental health services to fit your needs Assess for and refer to appropriate substance abuse programs Help with marital or family relationship problems Arrange assistance for victims of...

The UFT's Member Assistance Program is a union-based program providing free, confidential and voluntary services to all in-service UFT members. Our staff are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in working with NYC school-based staff...

If you haven't otherwise been informed, the number and type of observations you receive will change once you are tenured. If tenure was granted, you would be assigned a minimum of two informal observations as part of your yearly teacher evaluation...

A Line of Duty Injury leave must be requested via the DOE’s Self-Service Online Leave of Absence System (SOLAS). The dates of your leave should include only the actual days you are out, so you should request Line of Duty Injury status from the day of...

In some cases, the superintendent or the DOE’s Medical Bureau will deny a Line of Duty Injury status, and it may be necessary to file a grievance or file for medical arbitration, depending on the reason for the denial. Members who have a pending...

Under Line of Duty Injury, pedagogues may apply for important benefits, including paid time off from work to recover and reimbursement of medical expenses. If you are injured in the line of duty, your health plan covers your medical care. You can...

You must notify your administration within 24 business hours of any accident or injury on school grounds or while on school business. Complete the DOE’s Comprehensive Injury Report and return it to your principal. Inform your chapter leader as soon...

A new state law took effect on Sept. 1, 2025 that establishes maximum allowable temperatures in classrooms and support service spaces like offices, libraries, gyms and cafeterias (except kitchen areas used for food preparation). All schools must now...

You may reduce your probation by one to two years if you meet the criteria for these scenarios: Jarema credit: If you worked as a regular substitute under the same license and at the same school level, you can reduce your probationary period by up to...

Every year, members on leaves of one term or one year must notify the DOE of their intent for the upcoming school year on or about May 15. You will receive an email from the DOE with a request to submit your intent with that year's specific deadline...

No, you’ll receive a lump-sum payment equivalent to your regular compensation from the UFT Welfare Fund at the end of your six-week UFT parental leave instead.

No, the program only applies to privately-employed New Yorkers and not public employees.