MARCH DC 37 EVENTS
JOIN the PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS WEBINAR on THURSDAY, MARCH 3 at 6 PM
Join the Public Service Loan Forgiveness webinar on Thursday, March 3 at 6 PM, sponsored by
Protectborrowers.org. In 2021 the Department of Education announced an
overhaul of the PSLF program to help millions of public service workers who have been struggling under the weight of student loan debt find a path to relief.
The webinar will highlight updates to the PSLF program, guide borrowers on how to navigate the new process, and feature an opportunity to ask questions about accessing debt relief. The webinar will include simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and is open to the public. Please invite your friends and family. Register
here!
MELS provides legal assistance on student loan matters and can assist members applying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Call MELS at 212-815-1111 for advice or to connect with an attorney.
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DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING, MARCH 8 at 6 PM
Join the union’s Disability Advisory Committee for a virtual workshop on March 8 at 6 PM. Experts will discuss Financial Wellness. Join via Ring Central from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android
https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1455418632For the best audio experience, please use computer audio. Or iPhone one-tap: US: +1(646)3573664,,1455418632#. For more information, please email Committee Chair Laura Morand at
l2627president@gmail.com.
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U.S. CITIZENSHIP WEBINAR, MARCH 9 at 6 PM
The DC 37 Citizenship Committee and MELS, along with co-sponsors 32BJ Legal Services Fund, CUNY Citizenship Now! and The Emerald Isle Immigration Center will present a virtual Citizenship Webinar on March 9 at 6 PM. Legal experts will explain how to apply for U.S. citizenship, how to obtain a Green card and more. You must register in advance
here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with meeting details. For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111 or email:
MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net.
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DC 37 WOMEN’S COMMITTEE VIRTUAL PANEL, MARCH 16 at 6 PM
For International Women’s History Month, the DC 37 Women’s Committee Chair Carmen Charles invites all members and retirees to the second annual Women’s Forum on Wednesday, March 16, 6:30 to 8 PM. Panel guests who are members of the NYC City Council will discuss the theme, Break the Bias– Building a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive New York City. Please register at
dc37local.com/wcm to attend this virtual Ring Central meeting.
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MELS FAMILY LAW WEBINAR, MARCH 30 at 6 PM
Join the MELS virtual Family Law webinar on March 30 at 6 PM. Legal experts will discuss orders of protection, custody, visitation, adoption, guardianship, neglect, abuse, child support and more. Register at:
www.dc37mels.com. For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email:
MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net.
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SAVE THE DATE: MELS ID THEFT AND SCAMS VIRTUAL WEBINAR, APRIL 27 at 6 PM.
Register at: www.dc37mels.com. For more information, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212 815-1111 or email: MELSscreeningunit@dc37.net.
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DC 37 CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMITTEE
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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FREE TAX PREP
Food Bank for NYC offers free, contactless tax preparation services for low-income New Yorkers. Get the refunds and credits you may be entitled to, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Free tax prep is available
here. Call 646-981-6111, Mon. to Fri., 10 AM to 4 PM, or email:
eitc@foodbanknyc.org. MELS also offers additional
2021 tax tips here.
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is excited to coordinate the City’s annual Tax Season Initiative for the 20th season. New Yorkers who earned $72,000 or less in 2021 can use NYC Free Tax Prep to file with the help of an IRS certified volunteer preparer. For more information about NYC Free Tax Prep services and eligibility for tax credits, visit:
nyc.gov/taxprep. Also, New Yorkers can call 311 for tax preparer information. The IRS deadline to file is April 18.
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HEALTH and WELLNESS
MSK CANCER AWARENESS and SCREENING
Take charge of your health with free cancer screening and awareness through MSK Direct. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) Direct provides DC 37 members and their families dedicated access to exceptional cancer care from leading specialists. Screening is easy. If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options, please visit the dedicated MSK webpage or call MSK Direct at 833-786-3365.
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WORKWELL NYC
Strive for five servings of fruits and vegetables a day with the 5 A Day Your Way challenge. Receive tips, tricks and recipes to add more fruits and vegetables to your daily routine. Past participants have reported doubling their intake of fruits and vegetables during the challenge. Register today and get the WorkWell NYC Fruit and Veggie Tracker to jumpstart your meal planning! Register
here.
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Join us for a series of three virtual cooking demonstrations on March 16, 23 and 30, featuring healthy recipes full of fresh and flavorful fruits and vegetables. Learn how to whip up delicious dishes that will make it easy to get your five servings of fruits/vegetables a day. Participants can cook along or watch and learn. Bring your appetite and we’ll see you in the kitchen! Register
here.
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Student loan payments are officially restarting this May! As a City employee, you may qualify to have your student loans forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Join our two-part webinar series to learn how you can take advantage of the PSLF program, with specific step by step guidance on completing the PSLF waiver form. Register
here.###
Over 70 NYC employees submitted artwork for our Art is Life exhibit. Let’s celebrate their art at our virtual NYC Employee Artist Showcase. Attendees will have an opportunity to view selected pieces and performances and hear from the artists who created them. Register
here.
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Register for WorkWell NYC and the DOHMH Immunization Justice Workgroup for bi-weekly briefings on COVID-19 cases in NYC, vaccines and resources. This space is limited to City of New York employees only. The next session, which will focus on potential long term effects of COVID-19 and treatment options, is on March 10 at 12:00 PM. Register
here.
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DC 37 DENTAL CENTER
The DC 37 Brooklyn Dental Center at 186 Joralemon St. in Downtown Brooklyn closes on Tuesday, March 1. All dental services will continue from the newly renovated, state-of-the-art DC 37 Dental Center at 115 Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan. The 30-seat, facility offers advanced dental and periodontal care, and will provide members, retirees, and dependents their full-service dental needs. The Dental Center accepts appointments Mon. to Fri., 8 AM to 6 PM and Sat., 8 AM to 5 PM. To schedule your visit, please call 212-766-4440.
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MELS
COVID-19 UPDATE:
New York State Homeowners Assistance Fund – Up to $50,000 Available for Distressed Home, Coop and Condo Owners
Homeowners at risk of foreclosure or displacement due to a financial hardship suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for up to $50,000.00 through the New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund. To qualify you must be:
• Residing in the home, coop or condo; and
• Behind on mortgage payments; or
• Behind on coop maintenance charges or condo HOA fees; or
• Behind on property taxes, water or sewer bills; or
• In default on a reverse mortgage; or
• In forbearance
Homeowner Assistance Funds can be used to:
• Pay off past due mortgage payments; or
• Partially pay down the principal mortgage amount in order to make monthly mortgage payments more affordable; or
• Pay off past due coop maintenance charges or condo HOA fees; or
• Pay off past due property taxes, sewage or water bills; or
• Pay future housing payments for up to six months if the applicant or an adult member of the household is currently unemployed or has exhausted unemployment benefits.
If you own a home, coop or condo and are in need of legal assistance or help navigating the Homeowner Assistance Program, please call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111.
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STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE EXTENSION UPDATE
On Wednesday, December 22, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced a further extension of the CARES Act student loan forbearance. Last scheduled to terminate on January 31, 2022, the pause on student loan payments, interest accrual and collections is extended through May 1, 2022. To request to speak with a MELS attorney, please call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111.
STUDENT LOAN FORBEARANCE
To take advantage of the temporary waiver (see below), otherwise qualified borrowers with indirect student loans, or borrowers who simply have a history of repayment on non-qualifying plans, must consolidate their indirect loans; select an income driven repayment plan, and submitted the PSLF Employer Certification form by October 31, 2022. Doing so will allow the borrower to receive credit for payments made on any plan.
Whether your loan is in default, you need assistance in qualifying for PSLF, you wish to learn how switching to an income driven repayment plan will affect your cost, or you just want help understanding student loans, MELS can help. To connect with a MELS attorney, call the MELS Screening Unit at 212-815-1111. MELS can help!
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS TEMPORARY WAIVER
On October 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education temporarily waived a number of the requirements borrowers who qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) must meet. The waiver period expires on October 31, 2022. Appropriate steps must be taken prior to that date in order to take advantage of the benefits of the waiver.
WAIVER of the QUALIFYING REPAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS
Under the traditional rules, to qualify for PSLF a borrower working full-time in a qualified employment was required to make 120 payments toward their direct federal student loan debt pursuant to one of the four income driven repayment plan options: PAYE, RE-PAYE, Income Based Repayment or Income Contingent Repayment. The repayment plan requirement is temporarily waived. During the waiver period, payments made on any plan will count toward PSLF.
BORROWERS with FFEL and PERKINS LOANS
Borrowers with FFEL and Perkins loans now have an improved pathway to PSLF. Under the traditional rules, only direct federal student loans qualified for PSLF. Borrowers with FFEL loans and Perkins loans had to consolidate into a direct consolidated federal loan in order to qualify for PSLF. Payments made prior to consolidation did not count toward PSLF. During the waiver period, borrowers must still consolidate. However, provided a borrower consolidates during the waiver period, payments made prior to consolidation, on any repayment plan, will count toward PSLF. For information on the appropriate steps to take, affected members and their eligible family members can call MELS at 212.815.1111.
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FAMILIES
PAID FAMILY LEAVE BENEFIT
The New York State Paid Family Leave benefit is 12 weeks. The maximum weekly paid benefit is $971.61 or $1,943 bi-weekly. This union-negotiated benefit is available to nearly all DC 37 members, including members in the six nonprofit and private sector locals. For details about the PFL benefit, please contact your union representative. To access the 2022 PFL benefits calculator, visit: https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/PFLbenefitscalculator2022.
Parents can check the union website for updated information on childcare, summer camp and other special programs for New York City residents: Visit here.
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EDUCATION
AFSCME FREE 4-YEAR COLLEGE
AFSCME offers a free 4-year college program to members and their immediate family. You can go to college for free from anywhere in the country. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. For more information, visit: https://freecollege.afscme.org/
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DC 37 EDUCATION FUND
REGISTRATION FOR SPRING 2021 SEMESTER IS NOW OPEN
Registration for the Spring 2021 semester with the Education Fund is now available on the DC 37 website. For more information on specific classes, current schedules or to register for a program, please visit:
www.dc37.net/benefits/education/edfund.
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LABOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM at CUNY
DC 37 and the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies have expanded their educational partnership to include four new college-level programs in labor studies. The DC 37 Education Fund will provide tuition assistance to active DC 37 members who enroll in the labor studies program to earn the undergraduate certificate in labor relations; bachelor’s degree in urban studies; graduate certificate in labor relations, or master’s degree in labor studies. Apply today here:
www.dc37edfund.org/cunyslu. For more information, please call: 212-815-1700.
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DC 37 EDUCATION FUND PROVIDES FREE SOCIAL WORKER WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL 768 MEMBERS
The DC 37 Education Fund in conjunction with the National Association of Social Workers, New York City Chapter plans three continuing education workshops in March and April for eligible Local 768 licensed Social Workers. These VIRTUAL workshops are:
Defund the Police? Fund BIPOC Youth! (2 CEU’s) – Thursday, March 24, 7 to 9 PM. To attend register
here. (Registration deadline is March 3)
Color Me Well: Mental Health and Racial Trauma (2 CEU’s) – Wednesday, April 13, 7 to 9 PM. To attend register
here. (Registration deadline is March 23)
Anti-Racist Alternatives to Mandated Reporting & Reimagining Safety (2 CEU’s) – Thursday, April 28, 7 to 9 PM. To attend register
here. (Registration deadline is April 7)
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DC 37 EDUCATION FUND PROVIDES FREE WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL 372 MEMBERS
LOCAL 372 PARAPROFESSIONALS can earn 18 credits annually towards a degree in Human Services through a partnership with Monroe College. To enroll for the Fall 2022 term, complete an online application at www.dc37edfund.org/monroectpcandidateform. For questions, email: ppunch@dc37.net.
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LOCAL 372 MEMBERS WORKING in SCHOOL FOOD can earn an Associate Degree in Nutrition and Culinary Management through a partnership with LaGuardia Community College. To enroll for the Fall 2022 term, complete an online application at www.dc37edfund.org/laguardiacandidateform. For questions, email: lpicano@dc37.net.
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CUNY COUNSELING IS HERE FOR YOU! This is the ideal time to plan for Summer/Fall 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 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? Email: WorkerEd@slu.cuny.edu.
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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.
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RESUME WRITING AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES WORKSHOPS: The two-session
Resume Writing Workshop will cover a variety of resume formats: Chronological resumes, Functional resumes and Electronic resumes. You will also learn how to write a general cover letter and a specific cover letter. Follow up appointments will be scheduled for individual resume review and revision. To sign up, visit
here.
DC 37 members can find out how to stand out at a job interview by attending the two-session, three-hour
Interview Techniques Workshop. Learn about different types of interviews, what to expect, what to wear and not to wear, the questions to ask and not to ask and how to prepare in advance. Follow-up appointments and mock interviews will be schedules upon request. Sign up
here.
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TAKE MICROSOFT WORD AND EXCEL CLASSES ONLINE: In conjunction with City College and Queens College, the Education Fund is offering Microsoft Word and Excel classes for the upcoming Spring semester. For Microsoft Word classes, sign up here.
For Microsoft Excel classes, sign up here.
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RETIREES EDUCATION COURSES FOR SPRING 2022: Apply now for online classes for the SPRING 2022 cycle
here or go to the
website if you prefer to print and mail the application to the address indicated. For more information, email Manuel Gomez-Rosa:
mgomezrosa@dc37.net or call 212-815-1700.
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