Retiring members who wish to continue their UFT membership and take advantage of our many benefits must enroll to join the Retired Teachers Chapter. You can enroll online or download an application form on the UFT website and mail it to us at: UFT...

The answer to both these questions is no. The UFT is a democratic union and no one is forced to join. Nevertheless, an amazing 96 percent of all potential members choose to become UFT members. Nor is membership automatic, a frequent misconception...

You may receive credit to reduce your probationary time if you worked as a regular substitute or as an appointed teacher in the same license area and same division (i.e., elementary, junior high, high school) in which you are subsequently approved...

When a dependent child's COBRA coverage expires, he or she may be eligible to purchase Age 29 Young Adult Coverage. As long as both the member and dependent maintain their eligibility. This benefit will continue until the end of the month of the...

You can apply by using our online form. PIP is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located at 50 Broadway, 15th Floor, NY, NY, 10004. Summer hours are from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. If you have any questions...

All eligible in-service UFT members and their dependents have prescription drug coverage through the UFT Welfare Fund. There are no waiting periods for this coverage. In fact, after enrolling in the Welfare Fund, newly enrolled members who are...

We assist educators in developing school safety plans.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella virus, a member of the herpes virus family. It is the most commonly reported childhood disease. In 1994, there were 5,977 cases reported among New York City residents (rate of 81.6...

Check out these resources to help educators succeed in teaching ELLs.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew told the Delegate Assembly on March 23 that while members should not let down their guard regarding COVID-19 protocols, the situation continues to improve.

Senior citizens need to be wary of emails, phone calls and text messages designed to get them to hand over money or share personal information, an elder fraud expert told UFT retirees at the Retired Teachers Chapter membership meeting in May. Fraud...

There are many reasons for using Google’s Chrome browser — it’s generally fast and integrates seamlessly with Google programs you may use such as Google Classroom. But there is another good reason: the ability to add Chrome extensions.

The UFT has made endorsements in all but one City Council race and in the district attorney races in the Nov. 7 election, but the union’s borough political action committees have been focusing on four contested Council races: one in the Bronx, one in...

Each year, thousands of retirees take advantage of Si Beagle Learning Center in-person and online courses, seminars, trips, and dining and theater experiences. The program is named for the late Si Beagle, who pushed the union to offer continuing...

Whether it’s the winter doldrums, the news of the day or the hectic pace of work, there are many reasons you may be feeling overwhelmed. And while it may sound counterintuitive, slowing down and taking the time to nurture yourself can help you...

The UFT Welfare Fund Retiree Legal Plan with Elder Law Supplement offers many benefits, but the five that UFT retirees use the most are assistance with estate planning, elder law, civil litigation, real estate and matrimonial law.

Fed up with the DOE’s delay in reimbursing them for travel expenses, itinerant related service providers went public with their frustrations in April. Occupational and physical therapists also called out the DOE for long delays in tuition...

More than 100 paraprofessionals at an Extended School Year program in Queens who went without pay for five weeks banded together, and with the help of the UFT, finally received the pay due to them. Find out what to do if you suspect your salary is...

Under the UFT-DOE contract, teachers and other members have varying rights to absences, leaves and sabbaticals.

Each year, the UFT recognizes outstanding paraprofessionals who have made contributions to their school, their community and their union. Please use the link below to nominate a full-time paraprofessional for this award. The nomination deadline is...

Termination Pay: You retire with all your Cumulative Absent Reserve (CAR) days and are paid out for half your days at your daily rate. Terminal Leave: You use your CAR days, every 2 days in reserve counting as one day, to stay on payroll and retire...

When filling out your application to join the Retired Teachers Chapter (RTC), please include your name, file number/UFT ID number, exact retirement date, current contact information and pension provider. To avoid a delay in processing, please...

Maintenance medications (those taken regularly over an extended period) cannot be filled in monthly quantities after they have been filled three (3) times (original prescription plus two (2) refills), regardless of the number of refills indicated on...

You must complete six hours of coursework from a provider approved by the New York State Education Department. You can find a list of approved providers at the NYSED website. The UFT is an approved provider and offers this course; see the UFT Courses...

Administrators can observe teachers for evaluative purposes at any time after the Initial Planning Conference and then through the first Friday in June. In addition, half the required minimum number of observations must take place in the fall term...

A teacher, or other professional staff member, may request that a child be evaluated by completing the Request for Referral form (in SESIS). After receiving the request, the principal must take one of two actions within 10 school days: (1) request...

You must provide a legal document (marriage certificate, etc.) for proof of name change. If you receive Welfare Fund benefits, you should fill out the fill out the Welfare Fund’s Change of Status Form on the UFT website to change your name. If you...

If they are the retiree's pension beneficiary, they can contact the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) and the UFT Pension Department. A member's beneficiary (or representative) must first submit a certified or original death certificate to TRS for...