UFT members who are teachers or other pedagogical staff — including school counselors, social workers and school psychologists — are eligible to take a sabbatical leave to enhance their teaching skills, restore their health if they are ill or achieve state certification in a shortage area.

The UFT offers a range of programs for members facing a cancer diagnosis that combine compassionate support with access to top-quality clinical care. The 3D mammogram, a sophisticated new tool, is a recent addition to the mix.


If you travel to work by public transportation, you can save money by taking part in the City of New York Commuter Benefits Program, which enables you enables you to pay for allowable commuting costs in the city and the tri-state area with tax-free funds.

All eligible in-service UFT members and their dependents have prescription drug coverage through the UFT Welfare Fund. The Welfare Fund has a three-tier copay structure for generic, preferred-brand and nonpreferred-brand medications. You can save money by using generics (Tier 1) or preferred-brand medications (Tier 2) whenever possible.