DC 37 EVENTS:

U.S. CITIZENSHIP WEBINAR SEPT. 22, 6PM

The DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS), the Building Service 32BJ Legal Services Fund, CUNY’s Citizenship Now! Program and the Emerald Isle Immigration Center (EIIC) are jointly presenting a citizenship seminar on Wednesday Sept. 22 at 6 pm on Zoom. Learn how to become a U.S. citizen and the benefits of citizenship. Join the Citizenship webinar here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEodO6qpjkpE9LXEw9Uep8MbNrzUv8Mp0QX

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CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE MEETING SEPT. 28, 6PM

The DC 37 Climate Justice Committee meets the first and third Tuesday of every month. To join, please email Committee Chair Jon Forster at 4unionnow@gmail.com.

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BREAST CANCER WORKSHOP OCT. 12, 6PM

The DC 37 Disability Advisory Committee will host a virtual Breast Cancer workshop on Tuesday Oct. 12, 6 to 8PM. For information, email Committee Chair Laura Morand at l2627president@gmail.com. Join the webinar here: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1455880437

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MELS:

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON EVICTION MORATORIUMS

NEW YORK STATE EVICTION MORATORIUM

New York State lawmakers agreed on September 1 to extend sweeping protections against evictions. The state’s amended eviction moratorium, extended through January 15, 2022, is one of the most extensive protections put into place in the nation. Under the amended law, landlords can challenge a tenant’s declaration of hardship. However, tenants are still encouraged to file New York State hardship declaration forms. MELS can help with issues related to the N.Y.S. hardship declaration form and the other protections available to tenants. Call our Screening Unit at 212.815.1111 for advice and legal representation.

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CDC FEDERAL EVICTION MORATORIUM

The U.S. Supreme Court has recently invalidated the CDC Federal Eviction Moratorium. This means that tenants who filed a hardship declaration form under the federal CDC provision are no longer protected under that provision.

Tenants who owe rent or are facing an eviction case should not give up and move out. There are still many steps landlords must take to proceed with an eviction and there are still many ways tenants can defend their homes. MELS can help. Call our Screening Unit at 212.815.1111 for advice and legal representation.

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP)

New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is accepting applications to help tenants pay rent arrears. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) can provide up to 15 months of rent and up to 12 months of gas and electric utility arrears.

Tenants who apply for ERAP are protected from eviction while the application is processed. To apply for ERAP, go to on.ny.gov/2WE2CKY. If you have questions or need assistance, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212.815.1111.

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STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE EXTENDED thru JAN. 31, 2022

On Friday, Aug. 6, the U.S. Department of Education announced a final extension of the student loan forbearance. Scheduled to terminate on Sept. 31, the pause on student loan payments, interest accrual and collections has been extended through January 31, 2022.

Members can 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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HEALTH:

MSK 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.

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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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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FAMILIES:

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 members 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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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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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

SOCIAL WORKER WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL 768 MEMBERS: The Education Fund has started up its offerings of social worker workshops for Local 768 members after a summer hiatus. Upcoming workshops include:

Best Practices for Working With Adopted Teens (3 CEU’s) Tues., Oct. 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration deadline: Sept. 27.

Aging in Place in Supportive Housing (2 CEU’s) Thurs., Oct. 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration deadline: Sept. 29
To sign up for any of these workshops, please visit: www.dc37edfund.org/socialworkoct2021

Members should not use work computers or mobile devices to attempt to apply for these workshops as many city agencies block access to our site. For more information or if you have questions, please email: dtelemaque-peschier@dc37.net or kking@dc37.net.

LOCAL 372 PARAPROFESSIONALS can earn 18 credits annually towards a degree in Human Services through a partnership with Monroe College. If you are interested in entering the college in January for the Winter 2022 term, email ppunch@dc37.net.

LOCAL 372 MEMBERS WORKING in SCHOOL FOOD can earn an Associate’s Degree in Nutrition and

Management through a partnership with LaGuardia Community College. The next cohort will enroll for the Spring 2022 term. For more information, email lpicano@dc37.net.

CUNY COUNSELING IS HERE FOR YOU! It’s time to plan for Spring 2022 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 caters 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? Email WorkerEd@slu.cuny.edu.

EDUCATION AND CAREER COUNSELING: Do you need guidance selecting a class from our offerings, updating a resume or need assistance reaching a career or educational goal? Contact a counselor to schedule a virtual appointment: https://www.dc37.net/benefits/education/offerings/counseling

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WORKWELL NYC:

FLU SEASON is HERE. FREE FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE!

The City and its unions offer free flu shots to municipal employees and their families. Learn more and make a flu shot appointment at a WorkWell NYC Clinic at on.nyc.gov/wwnycflu

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WorkWell FIT FEST at VAN CORTLANDT PARK, BRONX on SEPT. 25, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Join the live fitness event Sept. 25 at Gun Hill Meadow in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Choose the session you want to attend, reserve your spot, confirm your attendance and then get ready to move! Register at on.nyc.gov/upcomingevents

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MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER WALK, OCT. 17

Join WorkWell NYC for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Central Park on Sunday, Oct. 17. Show support for those affected by breast cancer. Join at on.nyc.gov/makingstrides. Register for all WorkWell NYC events at: on.nyc.gov/upcomingevents