PrintNearly 170 AFT members are among the more than 500 union members living in areas affected by the Gulf Coast hurricanes who have been approved for $500 grants from the AFL-CIO's Union Plus Credit Card disaster relief fund.
The grant is available to help members who have an AFT PLUS MasterCard who are facing financial hardship due to the hurricanes. The money does not have to be repaid.
To qualify for a disaster relief fund grant (note that this program is separate from the AFT disaster relief fund), the AFT member must:
- Have been a victim of a natural disaster.
- Have experienced a significant loss of income or financial hardship.
- Have been an AFT PLUS credit card holder for at least 12 months, have opened the account prior to the date of the hurricane and have an account in good standing.
- Describe his or her circumstances and income loss.
AFT cardholders can apply by calling the Credit Card Disaster Relief Fund at 877/761-5028.
Other special assistance for cardholders includes skip payments, lower rates, fee waivers and other help.
Also, members who have a mortgage through the AFT PLUS mortgage program do not have to make payments through Nov. 30. And, the mortgage assistance program offers interest-free loans to cover mortgage payments for up to six months. Call 877/981-3798.
Members who participate in the AFT PLUS loan program are eligible to receive skip payments, payment extensions or other special help. Call 1-800-343-7097.
Free credit counseling and budgeting advice through the AFT PLUS credit counseling program is also available. Members may call 877/833-1745.
Members who participate in the AFT Plus student loan consolidation program and live in hurricane-affected areas may be eligible for loan forbearance. Call 800/489-5005 for details.
The AFT PLUS legal service can help union members who want to talk to a lawyer with a free 30-minute consultation, free document review and 30 percent off additional services. Call 888/993-8886 or visit http://www.unionplus.org/legal for a participating lawyer.
