Health Benefits
UFT Welfare Fund offices are open
The UFT Welfare Fund is open with full services, and our health benefit representatives are here to assist you during our office hours of Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you require assistance, please call our main number at 212-539-0500. To request a health benefits form, please call our hotline at 212-539-0539.
You can also use the following email addresses to contact the Welfare Fund:
- For prescription drug assistance, rxhelp@uftwf.org
- For COBRA assistance, cobrahelp@uftwf.org
- For assistance with our dental benefits, dentalhelp@uftwf.org
- For assistance with all other health benefit issues, healthbenefithelp@uftwf.org
Should you require immediate assistance with a prescription drug issue outside of office hours, please call Express Scripts at 800-723-9182.
The Red Apple
Learn about the health benefits available to you and your family in the updated edition of the Red Apple.
Which health plan is right for you?
As a UFT member, you have a comprehensive health benefits package with a range of city health plans to choose from.
New and noteworthy
UFT increases Welfare Fund benefits
The UFT is enhancing its Welfare Fund optical benefit and hearing aid benefit for in-service members and retirees effective March 1, 2022.
Easier access to your optical benefits
The UFT Welfare Fund has introduced a three-step online process at GVSUFT.com to provide access to your optical benefits without the need for paper certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
A list of the most commonly asked questions.
The death benefit was designed to provide a benefit to the beneficiaries of in-service UFT members. Younger members have not had the time to accumulate money in their retirement accounts and therefore, the highest amount paid is to the beneficiary of our youngest members.
A family member or beneficiary must submit a Welfare Fund Death Benefit Notification Form (available by calling the Fund’s Death Benefit Unit) along with a certified or original death certificate and the member’s original or certified birth certificate to the Welfare Fund. After verification of the information, the Fund will contact the beneficiary(ies) and process the claim payment.
You have options on how to receive your dental care. If you are enrolled in the Scheduled Benefit dental plan, the best choice would be a UFT Welfare Fund participating dentist. However, you can choose any non-participating dentist. See more information about your dental coverage options through the Welfare Fund.
A Dental Schedule on the UFT Welfare Fund website displays the charges and reimbursements for most procedures. If you use a participating dentist, the procedures in black are free while those in red require a co-payment. If you choose a non-participating dentist, the amount you will be reimbursed is listed.
If you see a participating dentist and authorize the dentist to be paid directly by CIGNA, there will not be a reimbursement to you. If you use a non-participating dentist, your claim will be processed and a reimbursement will be sent to you.