Below are general guidelines to help you understand the documents and information AFT + needs in the event of a member's death. If you need additional information after reading this, please call the AFT + office at 800/238-1133, ext. 8643.

To report the death of a NYSUT member, call the NYSUT Member Benefits Department at 800/626-8101.

When an AFT member dies, it is usually a member of the family who contacts the AFT + Member Benefits Department, but it can also be someone from the member’s work site, local union or an attorney handling the estate. The contact may be made by telephone or in writing.

The contact person must provide the deceased member’s name, address, telephone number(s), Social Security number, date of birth and date of death to the AFT + Member Benefits Department. AFT + contacts the insurance company to see if there are any insurance policies to cover the loss. If there is a policy in effect, the insurance company will contact the survivor with the appropriate claim forms. The insurance company will also determine whether the member had additional policies.

In the event of accidental death or dismemberment (suicide is not viewed as an accident), contact the AFT + Member Benefits Department by phone at 800/238-1133, ext. 8643. Please note: Many AFT locals provide coverage accidental death & dismemberment coverage on their local's membership in benefit amounts of $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000 or $25,000.

To begin the claims process, the AFT + Member Benefits Department requires the following information: member’s name, address, name or number of member’s local, beneficiary information (if available) and the cause of death. In addition, we need a letter on local union stationery stating that the member was in good standing at the time of death, the day the deceased member joined the union, obituary or death notice, certified copy of the death certificate, the police report (if applicable) and completed claim form. Once all requested materials are received,
AFT + mails the entire packet to the insurance company for processing. This process can take anywhere from three weeks to six months depending on whether the beneficiary information is available and if there is documentation addressing the deceased member’s estate. These are general timelines, each case will vary.

Please call the AFT + office if you have additional questions.