Frequently Asked Questions
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A list of the most commonly asked questions.
For the June 5 clerical day (no students) that takes place in pre-K centers, elementary schools, middle schools, K–8 schools and K–12 schools and standalone District 75 programs, UFT-represented staff in those schools will work remotely that day.
As always, this day is for staff to do their clerical work. No professional development should be scheduled. School-based and functional profesional development committees, however, may spend part of the day on their work.
High schools and 6-12 schools have a regular in-person workday with students in attendance on June 5.
Medical arbitration is the process by which a pedagogue appeals a decision made by the DOE medical office. Members may be eligible for medical arbitration once they have been denied a Line of Duty Injury (LODI) for at least 20 consecutive days. Once you apply for arbitration, you will be added to a waiting list to see an independent medical doctor who will function as a neutral arbitrator for your case.
Read more about medical arbitration and read our set of FAQs for additional information.
You must file for arbitration within 10 business days of receiving a Line of Duty Injury (LODI) denial letter from the DOE medical office.
Read more about medical arbitration and read our set of FAQs for additional information.
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 May 28 via the DOE Payroll Portal. If you do not enroll by the May 28 deadline, per session checks issued as of June 16 and later will be direct deposited into the bank account currently used for your regular paycheck.
If you are already receiving per session payments via direct deposit or wish to have per session payments deposited into the same account as your regular paycheck, no action is required. Read the DOE Personnel Memorandum for more details.
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 employees, this tax credit is most likely to apply to paraprofessionals and H-bank members who work overtime. Per session work does not qualify as overtime.
Employees who receive time-and-a-half for overtime pay will receive a credit equal to one-third of their eligible FLSA overtime pay. Employees who receive double-time overtime pay will receive a credit equal to one-quarter of their eligible FLSA overtime pay. Employees who receive double-time overtime will receive a credit equal to one-quarter of their eligible FLSA overtime pay. For the current tax year, employers should give eligible employees the information needed to claim this credit on their tax return. The information should appear on employees' W-2 forms.
For more information, check out a user guide to looking up your overtime on the DOE Payroll Portal and some frequently asked questions. Please note that the UFT cannot provide tax advice or answer questions from members about their taxes. Members should consult with their tax professional for assistance claiming this credit.
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 impacted by drug addiction, and Gam-Anon for families impacted by problem gambling. Many inpatient facilities also offer family counseling sessions as part of the treatment plan.
If your family member is also a UFT member, short-term counseling is also available through MAP. Please email MAPrecovery [at] uft [dot] org (MAPrecovery[at]uft[dot]org) or call 212-701-9620 for more information.
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 need any help with this, contact the Member Assistance Program at 212-701-9620, or email maprecovery [at] uft [dot] org (MAPrecovery[at]uft[dot]org). We are here to support you on your journey to health and wellness!
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 taking an extended leave and will be filing for it accordingly on the Department of Education’s Self-Service Online Leave Application System (SOLAS). The reason for your leave is your confidential medical information that is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and SOLAS will not share that information with your colleagues or administration. If you have questions about taking a leave, you may contact the medical division liaison between the UFT and DOE at 212-598-7711.
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 Member Assistance Program is also offering a free and confidential support group for members who are in recovery or seeking recovery.
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 maprecovery [at] uft [dot] org (MAPrecovery[at]uft[dot]org) for more information.