News
News
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
During May, the MEND program joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Emotional well-being is especially important during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has put the world on hold and forced most of us to stay indoors. According to a recent Kaiser Foundation poll, more than half of… read more...
Coronavirus (COVID-19)-Related Distributions & Eligibility for Unemployment Insurance
Some questions have arisen regarding whether taking a COVID-19-related distribution from the Annuity Fund per the special rules of the CARES Act can affect one's ability to receive unemployment benefits. In response to this inquiry, the Fund Office has put together the following Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs"). Is it possible… read more...
MSK Direct Launches Personalized Website, Creates Unique COVID-19 Cancer Guide for NYCDCC Welfare Fund Participants
Since September 1, 2019, the New York City District Council of Carpenters (“NYCDCC”) Welfare Fund, through a partnership with MSK Direct, has been providing participants an opportunity to receive special access to cancer care from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which is universally recognized as one of the top cancer… read more...
Department of Labor (“DOL”) Issues COVID-19 FAQs for Employee Benefit Plan Participants and Beneficiaries
On Tuesday, April 28th, the DOL issued COVID-19 FAQs for Employee Benefit Plan Participants and Beneficiaries. To view this document, please click the image below. If you have more specific questions related to your Welfare, Pension, and Annuity Plans, please refer to your Summary Plan Descriptions ("SPDs") or contact the… read more...
Issues with Incorrect Annuity Account Balances on Prudential’s Website to be Addressed
The Fund Office is aware that some members may be experiencing issues with their annuity account balances. We are in communication with Prudential, who has reported to us that there was an issue which occurred during the nightly update to their system. They are currently working to resolve the issue… read more...
Empire BlueCross BlueShield Provides Link to Help Participants Find Local COVID-19 Testing Facilities
Empire BlueCross BlueShield, through a partnership with Castlight Health, has provided us a link to help you find COVID-19 testing facilities in your area. If you feel that you, or a dependent of yours, is in need of a test, all you have to do is click the link below… read more...
Congratulations to the 2020-2021 Charles Johnson Jr. Memorial Scholarship Winners
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund is pleased to announce that twenty-five (25) students have been awarded the Charles Johnson Jr. Memorial Scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year. Each student will now receive a $3,500.00 per year scholarship, which… read more...
Important Information Concerning Unemployment Insurance Call Backs and Potential Scams
For those of you who recently filed for unemployment, the NYCDCC Benefit Funds would like to provide you an important message from the New York State Department of Labor (“DOL”) concerning call backs from Unemployment Agents to complete claims. According to the New York State DOL, “To prevent fraud, anyone… read more...
June Vacation Payments to be Released One Month Early to Help Those Financially Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic
On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund, the Benefit Funds is pleased to announce that June vacation payments will be released one month early to help alleviate the financial strain that many have suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.… read more...
Update Concerning COVID-19 Related Amendments to NYCDCC Annuity Fund
Last week, the NYCDCC Benefit Funds announced that the Board of Trustees made changes to the Annuity Fund to allow members easier access to their individual retirement savings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these changes were made effective immediately, the Fund Office noted that Prudential needed some time to implement… read more...
Online Courses Available to Members through UBC’s International Training Center
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), through its International Training Center (ITC), is now offering members several online courses, including a new COVID-19 Preparedness Qualification course that will display on the member’ s Training Verification Card (TVC) upon completion of the course and test. To learn more about these courses,… read more...
NYCDCC Annuity Fund Board of Trustees Amends Plan to Help Members Access Retirement Savings During COVID-19 Pandemic
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the New York City District Council of Carpenters Annuity Fund is pleased to announce that the Trustees have amended the Annuity Plan effective immediately to permit Coronavirus-Related Distributions up to $100,000 and Coronavirus-Related Loans up to $100,000. Further, if you have an outstanding… read more...
New York City District Council of Carpenters Training Center (“CTC”) Creates Printable COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
The New York City District Council of Carpenters Training Center ("CTC") recently created a four-page printable guide for members, supervisors, and foreman to use for discussing COVID-19 protection and safety procedures on the job site. To view this informative document, you can click the image below. To see more information… read more...
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Resources for New Yorkers
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has allowed states, include New York, to provide enhanced UI benefits and PUA for those who need it. To learn more, including whether or not you qualify to receive UI and/or PUA, please check out the resources from the New… read more...
UPDATED: Statement from NYCDCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Geiger on Essential Construction during COVID-19 Pandemic
UPDATE: After EST Geiger's earlier statement, Governor Cuomo announced that all non-essential construction work in New York will be temporarily shut down effective April 3rd. Please read EST Geiger’s new statement below. The New York City District Council of Carpenters ("NYCDCC") Executive Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Geiger released the following statement concerning… read more...
Helpful Coronavirus (COVID-19) Related Materials Courtesy of Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Since the beginning of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Fund Office has worked to provide you with helpful information you may need to manage the unprecedented situation our country is currently facing. Given the health threat this pandemic has caused, most of this information has rightfully focused upon your welfare… read more...
A Few Things to Keep in Mind about your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Outbreak
When outbreaks such as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) occur, it is normal to experience both fear and anxiety. Outbreaks like the one we are currently experiencing can trigger a feeling of powerlessness. The following are considerations that were developed by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) as support for mental and psychological well-being… read more...
Frequently Asked Questions- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Is COVID-19 testing covered for NYCDCC Welfare Fund participants? For our Active, Non-Medicare Eligible, and Medicare-Eligible participants, the cost for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, including doctor’s visits, has been fully waived by the Fund. Where can I find information relating to COVID-19, including how to approach getting tested? Empire BlueCross BlueShield… read more...
How to Check your Welfare Hours and Eligibility through the Member Login Portal (i-Site)
The Fund Office has received inquiries from members asking how they can check their Welfare hours and eligibility through the Member Login Portal (i-Site) of the Benefit Funds' website. To assist the membership in this endeavor, the Fund Office has composed step-by-step instructions regarding this process. Please see below for… read more...
Prudential: Simple Strategies to Weather Market Volatility
Given the current unstable situation with the stock market due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it seems like a good time to remind NYCDCC Annuity Fund participants that market volatility is a fact of life for all plans that rely on investments. These plans often require strategy and patience… read more...
