The LATEST NEWS, UPCOMING EVENTS and SERVICES YOU CAN USE
EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES
“Post-pandemic, it is important to prioritize your health and wellbeing. Be proactive. A lot of things can be caught early.” – MSK Cancer Survivor
DC 37 has partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) to help raise awareness about the importance of cancer screening and prevention. Screenings help detect cancer early when it’s easier to treat. Take MSK’s short assessment here to get personalized screening recommendations and tips on how to lower your risk for cancer. In less than 5 minutes, you can take the first step toward taking charge of your health.
Note: On July 27, MSK discovered a system glitch where a few users did not receive their results. MSK immediately resolved the issue and sends their sincere apologies to those affected. If you did not receive your results, please retake the test to get your results.
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DC 37 has a partnership with MSK Direct to provide members and their families dedicated access to exceptional cancer care, support, and expert resources from the world’s leading specialists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options at MSK, call the dedicated MSK Direct phone line for DC 37: 833-786-3365 or visit www.mskcc.org/DC37.
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GET HELP PAYING for CHILD CARE
The Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project is a NYS funded pilot program that was developed to assist working parents to increase access to childcare subsidies and quality care in New York City for children up to 13 years of age with qualifying incomes (up to $72,050 for a family of four). For more information, visit: https://www.cwenet.net/nysfe-1
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COVID-19 WORKERS’ COMP and SHORT-TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS
DC 37 urges members who believe they have contracted coronavirus in the line of duty to apply for New York State Workers’ Compensation. For a list of Workers’ Comp lawyers click here: https://bit.ly/3f1wK8z. Additionally, DC 37 Health & Security short-term disability benefits may be available for members who have filed Workers’ Comp claims. For more information click here: http://bit.ly/3ptCdt0
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FEMA COVID-19 BURIAL RELIEF
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) burial relief program is accepting applications. The maximum amount of financial aid available is $9,000 per funeral up to $35,500 per application with multiple COVID-19 decedents. FEMA federal funeral assistance can be used to help with expenses for funeral services held in 2020 for COVID-19 deaths, interment or cremation. Call the FEMA hotline: 844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585), 8 AM to 8 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday. For additional burial assistance programs, please visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/burial-assistance.page.
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MELS
COVID Emergency Rental Assistance
New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is accepting applications for the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Apply Here
Eligibility Guidelines:
- Household income before taxes is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). AMI levels for NYC by household size are available online at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/new-york-emergency-rental-assistance-program-erap.page
- A member of the household received unemployment benefits OR experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs OR experienced other financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the pandemic.
- The applicant owes past due rent at their primary residence that was accumulated on or after March 13, 2020.
- The applicant is at risk of housing instability or homelessness (this can be demonstrated by having rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020.
Benefits ERAP Provides:
- Up to 12 months of rental assistance for arrears accrued on or after March 13, 2020.
- Up to 3 months of additional rental assistance if the household expects to spend 30% or more of their gross monthly income to pay rent.
- Up to 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears that have accrued on or after March 13, 2020.
Prioritization of Applications:
Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis, as long as funds remain available. Funds are limited so all eligible households should apply as soon as possible regardless of whether they are in a priority group. More information on priority categories is available at https:/otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/#eligibility
Additional Protections:
In order to receive ERAP payments, landlords must agree to waive any late fees and not increase a tenant’s monthly rent for one year and are restricted from evicting tenants, except in limited circumstances for one year.
For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net
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EVICTION MORATORIUM UPDATE
In May 2021, Governor Cuomo signed a bill continuing the eviction moratorium to August 31, 2021. Any tenant who has not served their landlord with a New York State Hardship Declaration form or filed the form in Housing Court can do so at any time before August 31, 2021 to secure coverage under the Act.
On August 3, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued an eviction moratorium that remains in effect for two months, until October 3, 2021.
The CDC issued the order temporarily halting evictions in counties with heightened levels of community transmission to respond to recent unexpected developments in the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rise of the Delta variant. All five counties of New York City are covered by the CDC order.
Any tenant may serve their landlord a completed CDC Hardship Declaration form and file it with Housing Court to secure coverage under the CDC Order.
The CDC moratorium extension will allow time for the $2.4 billion COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM [ERAP] OF 2021, enacted in the state budget, to accept applications and disburse emergency rental assistance and/or utility assistance. The ERAP program is accessible on the Office of Temporary and Disability [OTADA] website.
Please call the MELS Screening Unit at 212- 815-1111 for help with filling out and filing a hardship declaration. MELS will provide advice regarding how the moratoriums works. MELS also assists with securing financial assistance to pay rent arrears or utility arrears that accrued during the pandemic. Lastly, MELS provides legal representation in Housing Court eviction proceedings. If you have received any notices or court papers from Housing Court, your landlord or your landlord’s attorneys, please contact MELS at 212- 815- 1111, or email: MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net.
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STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE EXTENSION
On Friday, August 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced a final extension of the student loan forbearance. Scheduled to terminate on September 31, 2021, the pause on student loan payments, interest accrual and collections has been extended through January 31, 2022.
Members with questions about the extension are encouraged to contact the DC 37 MELS Screening and Intake office at (212) 815-1111 to request to speak with an attorney, or email: MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net.
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WORKWELL NYC EVENTS
Flashback Fridays: 80s and 90s Music, Aug. 20 at 12:30 PM
Join the Project XYZ community as our DJ spins some of your favorite tunes from popular eras. Tune in to hear songs played from the 80s & 90s. This is an event you won’t want to miss! Register for one or both sessions.
Register for all WorkWell NYC events at on.nyc.gov/upcomingevents
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#STOPASIANHATE The recent hate crimes against members of our Asian community are devastating. Over the last year, violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has increased dramatically, especially against those who are most vulnerable. These acts of violence are rooted in ignorance and racism. WorkWell NYC and DC 37 condemn these acts and stands in solidarity with our Asian American colleagues and their families. Everyone deserves to live with dignity, without fear of working, walking, communing or thriving. We see you, we believe you, we support you. NYC prides itself on our diversity. We celebrate it each day and thrive on its enrichment to our daily lives. Hate has no home in our city. Together we can make that message louder than ever before.
5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY
- Speak up and speak out against hate, racism and violence. Use this guide to learn how to have conversations about racism.
- Report hate crimes here or by calling 212-416-0197.
- Seek support. Experiencing racism as a victim or as a bystander can be traumatic. The NYC EAP can help at eap@olr.nyc.gov.
- Build space for dialogue. WorkWell NYC can help coordinate conversations for small teams to discuss and process these events. Contact Anna Tan at anna.tan@olr.nyc.gov for more information.
- Practice self-care. There are many ways to help nurture yourself as a daily restorative practice. Here is a self-care guide to get you started. For additional resources, please visit the Project BUILD resource center here.
Visit the Upcoming Events webpage to see a full list of WorkWell NYC events and programs to help you reach your life goals.
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BENEFITS
PAID FAMILY LEAVE BENEFIT
The NYS Paid Family Leave benefit is 12 weeks. The maximum weekly paid benefit is $971.61 or $1,943 bi-weekly. This union negotiated New York State benefit is available to nearly all DC 37 members, including those in the six nonprofit and private sector locals. For more details please read the DC 37 blog. To access the 2021 PFL calculator, visit: http://on.ny.gov/2LsklQ8
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EDUCATION
AFSCME FREE 4-YEAR COLLEGE
The AFSCME free 4-year college program has been extended for good. This can be combined with the Free College program, under which AFSCME members and their immediate family can earn associate degrees for free. This means members of the AFSCME family can go to college for free from anywhere in the country. All they need is a computer and an internet connection. For more information visit: https://freecollege.afscme.org/
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DC 37 EDUCATION FUND
EDUCATION FUND IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2021 CLASSES: The DC 37 Education Fund is now accepting applications for Fall 2021 classes. For now, the majority of our classes are being offered online. We have computer, language, GED and labor education courses plus a lot more. For more information, please visit: www.dc37edfund.org/courses.
LOCAL 372 PARAPROFESSIONALS can earn 18 credits annually towards a degree in Human Services through a partnership with Monroe College in the Fall 2021 term. For more information, email ppunch@dc37.net.
LOCAL 372 MEMBERS WORKING in SCHOOL FOOD can earn an Associate Degree in Nutrition and Culinary Management through a partnership with LaGuardia Community College. For more information, email lpicano@dc37.net.
Certified Nursing Assistant and EKG/Phlebotomy Classes offered at and with CUNY Hostos in the Bronx! The Education Fund is currently accepting applications for the Certified Nursing Assistant and EKG/Phlebotomy Classes offered with CUNY Hostos in the Bronx. Both classes require you to have a high diploma or GED and to take and pass a reading comprehension placement exam. Additionally, the EKG/Phlebotomy course requires you to have an active certified nursing assistant license. Please note that both classes are being offered as a hybrid, requiring both online and in-person class sessions. In-person sessions will follow New York City, New York State and CUNY masking, social distancing and vaccination protocols.
For more information and to apply for the Certified Nursing Assistant course, please visit: https://www.dc37.net/benefits/education/offerings/nursing
For more information and to apply for the EKG/Phlebotomy course, please visit: https://www.dc37.net/benefits/education/offerings/ekg
COMPUTER PROGRAMS are offered online for the fall 2021 cycle in conjunction with City College, Queens College, or Hostos Community College. Registration is open for the following classes:
Microsoft Office Certificate Beginner and NEW Advanced Level
Each course is 30 hours to 60 hours of instruction starting in September. Register online. For more information, call 212- 815-1700.
CUNY COUNSELING IS HERE FOR YOU! This is the ideal time to plan for Fall enrollment at the CUNY college of your choice. Let Worker Education at the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies (SLU) help guide you through the process of finding the best CUNY program to match your education and career goals. Expert advisors offer FREE one-on-one phone sessions on: academic requirements for specific jobs; choosing a CUNY campus and major; applying to and financing a CUNY degree; certificate and non-credit options at CUNY, transferring previous credits, and more. Each session is free and catered to your specific goals and needs. To view the calendar and schedule your CUNY advisement session visit: https://cunydays.eventbrite.com. Can’t find a date/time that works for you? Visit WorkerEd@slu.cuny.edu.
EDUCATION AND CAREER COUNSELING if you need guidance selecting a class from our offerings or need assistance reaching a career or educational goal. All appointments are virtual, by phone or computer. You will be contacted by a counselor to schedule an appointment. To register: https://www.dc37.net/benefits/education/offerings/counseling
The Retirees Education courses are back for the FALL 2021 cycle! We are accepting applications for online classes for the FALL 2021 cycle. Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/211390511235141, to file online; or at https://www.dc37.net/benefits/education/deptclasses/retirees, if you prefer to print and mail the application to the address indicated. Email Manuel Gomez-Rosa: mgomezrosa@dc37.net or call 212-815-1700.
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SUMMER FUN at SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE
DC 37 members get discounted admission to the Six Flags theme park in New Jersey and can save over $40 on the gate admission. Just click the link below and enter promo code rewards2021 in the red box at the top right-hand corner that says “Enter Promo.”
For Theme Park and Safari Drive Thru tickets, please order here: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
The Safari Drive-Thru requires a reservation: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/things-to-do/animal-attractions
To purchase Hurricane Harbor water park tickets, please visit: https://www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharbornj