First, log on to your New York State Education Department TEACH account to find out what requirements you are missing.

If you received a notice of termination for lack of college credits, you can apply between 2/1/20 and 3/31/20 to the DOE's Career Training Program for the summer semester. The program will pay tuition from 3-6 credits per semester for undergraduate study at participating colleges and universities. Two & 1/2 hours per week of release time and/or a summer stipend are also provided.

If you have more specific questions, contact the UFT's certification specialists: Monica Christie, Jeremiah Bornemann or Stephanie Forbes at (212) 331-6311.

As a UFT member, you have two sources from which to borrow money. If you are in pension tiers 3, 4 or 6, you can borrow from your Qualified Pension Plan (QPP) against your Member Contribution Accumulation Fund and against part of your additional member contributions. You may also borrow from your Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) account.

The maximum amount you can borrow from your pension and your TDA is $50,000, provided you have sufficient funds in those accounts.

Loans from those account are typically available within two weeks after you apply and, under normal circumstances, are not taxable.

Both have convenient repayment plans. The interest rate for TDA loans is 7% per year and the interest rate for QPP loans is 6% per year.

For more information, see the Teachers' Retirement System (TDA) FAQ page*

Scanning documents provides the highest quality images. There are several ways to scan a document for upload: 

1. Use a scanner, if you have access to one
2. Use an application like the Adobe Scan app on your phone or mobile device, or
3. Use the camera on your phone or mobile device.

Once you scan or take a picture of the document, save it on your computer or phone. If you’re taking a picture, be sure to set the document on a flat, clear surface that’s darker than the document. 

Some technical guidelines & tips for documents: 

• File size: 8 megabytes (MB) or smaller
• File types: GIF, JPG, PDF, PNG, or TIFF
• Documents should be clear, legible, and include the entire page (verify pages are not cut off).
• If they are multi-page documents, make sure all pages are included.

View a helpful video explaining the upload process here. 

Follow these steps to upload documents to the Welfare Fund: 

1. Login at UFT.org
2. Click on My Account
3. Locate and click on the appropriate application button, either Enroll in the Welfare Fund or Change of Status Form
4. On the Confirmation or Pending page, locate and click on the link to upload documents
5. On the Upload Required Document page, select the correct person who you are submitting documents for, as well as the corresponding required document from the dropdown menus. 
6. Click on Choose Files, then select the file (from your saved files on your computer or phone).
7. When the file displays, click on Upload Document.

When we receive your uploaded documents, we will send you an email to notify you that your upload was successful.

Watch a video demonstrating the upload process »

When you submit a Welfare Fund Enrollment or Change of Status Request online, we may require additional documentation, such as a copy of a birth certificate, copy of marriage certificate, etc., to complete the request. You can now upload and submit supporting documents when you complete these forms online. 

This is the fastest, easiest and most secure method to submit documents. The Welfare Fund’s online application’s Confirmation/Summary page will provide a link to upload your documents.

It’s best if you already have your documents (scanned files, images, photos) saved on your computer or phone and ready for upload when you are completing the application.  After scanning or photographing your documents, to upload:

• Return to UFT.org
• Log in with your UFT user name & password
• Click on My Account
• Click on the appropriate application button, either Enroll in the Welfare Fund or Change of Status Form. 

When we receive your uploaded documents, we will send you an email to notify you that your upload was successful. 

Watch a video demonstrating the upload process.

Subscribe to UFT email

Follow the instructions below to make sure you are receiving UFT news and information via email. 

Not receiving UFT emails?

1. Register for a UFT.org account (if you don't have one)
2. Log in to the UFT website
3. Go to My Account
4. Click the purple "Edit" button, then scroll down to subscribe or resubscribe.

Want to change where you receive UFT emails?

1. Log in to the UFT website
2. Go to My Account
3. Click the purple "Edit" button, then update your email address
4. Click the "Save" button 

To access valuable information, UFT emails and online forms on the UFT website, you must have a UFT.org account. Setting up a UFT.org account and joining the union are two separate processes. Start by visiting uft.org/register. If you are not a union member, you can enroll online once you have created a UFT.org account. 

How do I sign up

To set up and account.

1. Go to UFT.org and click Sign Up (top right corner)
2. Create a New Account
   - Follow the steps to create a new account
3. Validate your email
   - Check your personal email and click the link you were sent
4. Log back in to UFT.org account with your username or email and password
5. Click My Account (top right)
   - Here you can join the union, verify your identity, join the Welfare Fund and/or order movie tickets

Not receiving UFT emails?

1. Register for a UFT.org account (if you don't have one)
2. Log in to the UFT website
3. Go to My Account
4. Click the purple "Edit" button
5. Subscribe (or resubscribe) to UFT emails at the bottom of the page

*If you’re not receiving emails from UFT.org after signing up, check our FAQ. 

Want to change where you receive UFT emails?

1. Log in to the UFT website
2. Go to My Account
3. Click the purple "Edit" button above your personal details
4. Update your email address and click Save

All Personal Health Information (PHI) managed in relation to this program (as well as all other Welfare Fund programs) is maintained in adherence with Federal laws requiring strict security in terms of use, storage, and disposition.

No. Although claims can be submitted electronically, they will continue to be paid by check mailed to your address of record.

For the privacy and security of your personal information, program representatives will not send you texts or direct messages to social media accounts. They will communicate with you either by phone call, postal mail, or email to your address of record.