Spotlight on Your Funds

November 2023

Most Members Have Completed Household Income Survey to Date 

Most Home Care Benefit Fund (HCBF) members have completed the brief income survey administered as part of new eligibility requirements. Members who have a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level have begun meeting with Healthfirst to enroll in their Essential Plan. The HCBF is informing the members who have not responded to numerous requests to complete the survey that their health benefits are suspended, effective November 1. The HCBF is advising them they may reactivate their coverage by completing the survey. The Benefit Fund’s Outreach Coordinators and Member Services Representatives are available to offer members assistance and answer questions. For more information related to your 1199SEIU employees, please email the Employer Services Unit at [email protected] or call (646) 473-6413.

Benefit Funds Amplify Member Voices in New Video Series 

The 1199SEIU Benefit Funds recently debuted their weekly Member Voices video series to showcase members who are balancing caring for their patients and residents with staying healthy themselves. Each one- to two-minute episode features a member sharing why they began their health journey, along with inspiration and advice for fellow members to get and stay healthy. One story features Patricia McAlmont, a Home Health Aide with People Care, who joined WeightWatchers to lose weight in order to move more easily and reduce knee pain. Using weekly emails and social media posts, the Benefit Funds are encouraging members to share their health journey stories and take part in future episodes of Member Voices. 

40-Hour-per-Month Work Waiver for Retirees Ending January 1

The waiver allowing 1199SEIU retirees to return to work during the pandemic for more than 40 hours a month while continuing to receive their pension will end, effective January 1, 2024. The Benefit and Pension Funds are advising retirees who wish to continue working for an 1199SEIU contributing employer more than 40 hours a month that their pension will be suspended until they reduce their hours. As a reminder, employers are required to include 1199SEIU pensioners who remain on active duty in their monthly payroll reports. Retirees who have questions regarding the end of the waiver may call the Retiree Services Center at (646) 473-8666 or, outside of New York City, (800) 892-2557.

Training and Employment Funds Hold Recognition Ceremony

On Thursday, October 5, more than 500 1199SEIU members who graduated from Training and Employment Funds (TEF) programs between 2020 and 2023 gathered at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel for the first recognition ceremony in more than four years. The evening was a celebration of the members’ hard work and achievements, as well as a demonstration of the value of labor and management working together to support healthcare workers to learn new skills, advance in their careers and provide quality care. 

Three graduates of TEF programs spoke at the event. Shiuly Ali, an Access Services Representative at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Monroe College School of Nursing. Bertha Motta, a Home Health Aide at Sunnyside Community Services and Personal-Touch Home Care, earned her Associate Degree in Psychology from LaGuardia Community College. Rebecca Rose, a Unit Clerk at Northwell Health Staten Island University Hospital, completed her high school equivalency through TEF's National External Diploma Program and is now attending college with the help of TEF’s Health Careers College Core Curriculum program. For more information about TEF’s programs, visit the TEF website.  

Meet Our Featured Member

Patricia McAlmont from People Care

Why did Patricia McAlmont begin her health journey? Read For Your Benefit online to find out!

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1199SEIU Funds News is a monthly email produced by the 1199SEIU Funds. Copyright 2023.

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