In an effort unmatched by any other credit card in the nation, the Union Plus Credit Card Disaster Relief Fund has provided $111,500 in grants to 223 AFT PLUS Credit Card holders impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The grant program has ended. The deadline to apply for a grant was Nov. 10.

The $500 grants went to help AFT Plus cardholders like Leo Laventhal, who relocated to Shreveport, LA, to teach while his wife returned to her job in New Orleans. He says he is using the grant to help with “the unexpected rent and out-of-the-ordinary gasoline and telephone expenses and furnishing an additional place to live in.”

The AFT PLUS Mortgage Program helped homeowners by waiving their payments through Nov. 30. AFT PLUS mortgage holders are still eligible for interest free loans to cover their mortgage payments for an additional six months. Disaster victims who participate in the mortgage program and need assistance should call 800/981-3798.

The AFT PLUS Credit Counseling program offers free budgeting advice and credit counseling. Call 877/833-1745 to speak to a counselor.