Union members enrolled in the UFT Welfare Fund and their eligible dependents can now get eyeglasses or contact lenses more frequently, for less money out of pocket and from more optical stores than ever.

As a member of the UFT Welfare Fund, you and your eligible dependents can obtain optical services annually. Learn all you need to know about your optical benefit.

The UFT is enhancing its Welfare Fund optical benefit and hearing aid benefit for in-service members and retirees effective March 1, 2022.

For years, GVS has served as the third-party administrator for the Welfare Fund’s optical program, providing services such as claim processing. GVS will now also maintain new resources such as the program's website and mobile app. Their dedicated UFT...

Both the GVS website and the GVS app (on iOS or Android) allow you to verify eligibility for optical benefits, locate in-network providers, and submit claims.

Telling the story of why the union matters, Geof Sorkin, the executive director of the UFT Welfare Fund, discussed the “very robust benefit package” that UFT-represented employees have.


Does Special Coordination of Benefits (SCOB) apply to the Optical Plan? Yes. Members and their spouse/ domestic partner who are also members are entitled to SCOB.

Under direct reimbursement, which can only be used if you utilize a non-participating provider, you are required to pay for the full cost of the service at the optician and submit to the Fund for payment.

Information on your eligibility for benefits will be available not only to you and your eligible dependents, but also to optical service providers, making it easier to schedule appointments and use your benefits for covered services.