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Frequently Asked Questions

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A list of the most commonly asked questions.

What does "Z-status" mean?

Z-status is applied to a day-to-day substitute who covers the same program for 30 or more consecutive days. Z-status is paid at 1/200th of the gross annual salary up to step 4A, including differentials, you would make in a full-time appointed position. Checks can be via direct deposit or they will be mailed to the address on file with the DOE.

How can I get a duplicate or corrected W-2 form?

Active members can request duplicate/corrected W-2s via the DOE Payroll Portal. Those who have separated from DOE service must email the W-2 duplicate/correction form to W2unit [at] schools [dot] nyc [dot] gov (W2unit[at]schools[dot]nyc[dot]gov). The W-2 Unit can be reached at 718-935-4373. 

As an F-Status worker, how much will I make and what is the required minimum before being eligible for benefits?

F-status salary is 1/200th of the gross annual salary up to step 4A, including differentials, that the member would make as a regularly appointed teacher. Health benefits are earned if the F-status worker is scheduled to work a minimum of 1/2 of their title's regularly scheduled program.

How do I apply for direct deposit?

Either through the payroll portal (https://payrollportal.nycboe.net), or by faxing the application and supporting documentation to 718-935-3702.

What is the difference between absences that are medical, personal or self-treated days?

CAR days are for your own illness and can be accumulated up to 200 days. Members earn and can use 10 self-treated days per school year as long as they are on payroll. Self-treated days do not require a doctor's note. Three of the self-treated days can be used for personal business and/or to care for an ill family member (a total of 3; not 3 each).

Medically-certified days (and anything beyond 10 self-treated days) do require medical documentation.

Personal business is defined as something that can only be done during the school day, such as closing on a house. Personal business days should be requested in advance and the principal may ask the nature of the personal business before granting approval. 

I want to attend a pension clinic. How do I find about upcoming sessions, and how can I register?

See our page listing all current pension clinics being offered with a link to register: https://www.uft.org/your-benefits/pension/pension-clinics.

What's the difference between terminal leave and termination pay?

Termination Pay: You retire with all your Cumulative Absent Reserve (CAR) days and are paid out for half your days at your daily rate.  

Terminal Leave: You use your CAR days, every 2 days in reserve counting as one day, to stay on payroll and retire off your leave. Terminal Leaves may not cross over semesters and you must give your principal at least 30 days notice (OP40) before the start of your leave. 

How and when should I make a Final Pension Consultation appointment?

You are entitled to only one final consultation during your career, so most members complete them in the final months of work.

To make an appointment, call 212-331-6311 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meetings are scheduled in the borough office most convenient to you.  If you are a BERS member, call 929-305-3800 to schedule an appointment with a BERS representative.

During the final pension consultation you will be able to: 

  • Estimate your retirement allowance;
  • Discuss using the Teachers' Retirement System or the Board of Education Retirement System as a means for protecting heirs and beneficiaries;
  • Discuss removing contributions, where permissible, from the system at retirement;
  • Aid you in completing the retirement application;
  • Learn about health and welfare fund benefits;
  • Answer all of your other retirement questions.
How and when can I make a Preliminary Pension Consultation appointment?

If you have several questions or are planning a career change, resignation or retirement, you should make an appointment for a preliminary pension consultation at one of the UFT's borough offices. At this private consultation, you will receive an estimate of your retirement allowance and answers to your questions about retirement benefits. We advise that everyone have a minimum of one preliminary borough consultation before your final consultation. You may have more than one preliminary consultation during your career. To make a preliminary appointment, call 212-331-6311 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Does the UFT or NYSUT have any services or benefits for members who are planning to buy a house/mortgage?

NYSUT has a mortgage program. For more information, visit their website at: https://memberbenefits.nysut.org/news-events/news/2019/january/mortgage-discount-program.