Benefits

How does a Retiree get benefit forms?
Call the Retiree Fund Office at (212) 924-7220 to request forms for optical, hearing aid or supplemental medical.

What must be done to add a new dependent?
The retiree must request and then fill out a new enrollment form and submit it along with a copy of the marriage certificate, birth certificate or domestic partner registration to the Fund Office. Call (212) 924-7220 for cards and additional information. The name of a spouse or other dependent will not appear on the Retirees' drug card until the new enrollment card is on file.

What happens if a Retiree has dental, optical or prescription expenses before his or her name appears on the eligibility listing?
Retirees should save all receipts for dental, optical and prescription expenses from the effective date of retirement, and submit them for reimbursement according to the Plan schedule of allowances after their name appears on the eligibility listing. Optical is only reimbursable for Retirees out of the metropolitan area.

How can a Retiree find out how much money has been used for prescriptions during the current year?
By calling Aetna Customer Service, at (855) 352-1599 or the Fund Office, at (212) 924-7220 can be contacted to obtain this information.

What should a Retiree do if he or she has not received a Drug Card and needs to have a prescription filled right away?
The Retiree can call the Fund Office, at (212) 924-7220 in order to get the prescription filled. The Fund will then request that a card be issued in the Retiree's name. This will take about 10 business days.

Why doesn't a Retiree's spouse or other dependent appear on the Drug Card?
The name of a spouse or other dependent will not appear on the Retiree's drug card until the new enrollment card is on file at the administrator's office. Call the Fund Office to request a new enrollment card.

Is there a prescription mail-away program for Retirees?
Yes.  Call the Retiree Fund Office at (212) 924-7220 for further information or by calling Aetna Customer Service, at (855) 352-1599.

Who in my family is eligible for dental and/or optical coverage?
Members, their spouses, domestic partners and their children up to age 26 are eligible under the Local 237 Welfare Fund for dental and optical benefits. Members receive a card from Healthplex for your dental benefits once eligible. To utilize your optical benefit obtain a claim form at the optical services provider of your choice that participates in the Comprehensive Professional Systems (CPS) PPO Network.

To find a participating provider, go to the CPS website. Under the "Select Your Plan" pull down menu, choose “LOCAL 237 TEAMSTERS ACTIVE AND RETIRED ACTIVE FUND”, enter your zip code and submit. If you want to speak to a CPS representative to find a location call (212) 675-5745.

What documentation does the Welfare Fund need in order to provide coverage for my dependents?
The Fund's rules require that proper documentation be on record before enrollment of eligible dependents can be completed. The documentation required is in the form of a marriage license, birth certificate or domestic partner registration certificate. This procedure allows the Fund to provide coverage for all of our members' dependents.

Why doesn't the Welfare Fund provide information on my medical coverage?
Medical coverage is provided by the employer, The City of New York and not by the Welfare Fund. Members should call the Office of Labor Relations (OLR) for health plan information and questions. OLR (212) 306-7200

Can I get a second drug card for my spouse to carry?
Single members are issued one card. Married members or members with dependents are issued two cards. Additional cards may be requested if lost or stolen. The request must be in writing and can be mailed to the Local Teamster 237 address or you may request it by going directly to Aetna.com

I’m having a problem with my dentist. What can I do?
If the problem is with a "participating dentist," the member should call HEALTHPLEX, the fund's dental administrator, at (800) 468-0600.

How does a member file for disability coverage and what is the length of coverage?
The Group Disability Form must be completed by the member, his or her doctor and the employer, and mailed to the Fund office within 30 days of the start of the disability. Benefits are payable up to $300 per week for up to 52 weeks within a 104 week period with continuous certification from the medical doctor of the member's inability to work.

When a member retires, does he or she have to come to the Fund office to enroll, and how long will it take for Retirees to receive benefits?
The best and fastest way for a retiree to enroll for eligible benefits under the retiree is Plan is for the Retiree to bring, mail or fax a copy of their first pension check and a copy of their Health Benefits Application to the Fund Office.

The Retirees’ former Department or Agency will add his or her name to a retiree eligibility list which they will transmit to the Fund office. This prompts us to send out a Retirees Welfare Fund package which include an enrollment card. As soon as the Retiree's name appears on the eligibility listing (receives first pension check) and we receive the completed enrollment card, the retiree will be able to start receiving benefits directly.

Members participating in the Local 237 Welfare Fund can access free, professional social services.  Our members have tough jobs and, from time to time, we all encounter tough personal challenges.  Our union is committed to helping members find possible solutions to those challenges. Local 237’s licensed social workers are here to connect people to much needed assistance and resources.  They also facilitate positive change through their work. 

Areas of Support

• Caregiver burden/respite support and services
• Rental Arrears issues (behind on rent, pending or possible eviction
• Food security
• Mental and Emotional health and wellbeing
• Grief and Loss
• Alcohol or Substance Misuse
• Work life balance
• Supportive services for parents

Contact
If you are in need of social work support, please do not hesitate to contact me via telephone at 646-638-8608 or email

Karla Steinberg, MSW
Membership Social Worker

New York City workers and their families enjoy healthcare and retirement benefits that are among the best in the country. Through the Local 237 welfare funds, members receive prescription, dental, optical and disability benefits. Generations of members have also taken advantage of Local 237’s education and legal services as well as free retirement and financial planning services.

All of these benefits are funded by the City and administered by the union. Many workers choose to work in the public sector because the benefits are often superior to those available in the private sector.

But that wasn’t always the case. Once City workers were able to form unions, they had to fight hard for everything they won, including health benefits, pensions, paid leave and worker protections.

Established in 1952, Teamsters Local 237 was on the forefront of the labor movement. Union founders wasted no time in demanding better lives for workers and members fought along side them.

In 1959, Local 237 was the first union in New York City to establish a city-funded welfare fund. It benefited workers in the Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. Similar to the annuities that Local 237 members have today, the city paid in $2 a day for each worker. Upon retirement workers would receive their fund benefit.

While the first Local 237 Welfare Fund may seem modest by today’s standards, it was revolutionary in its time. It was the start of the comprehensive union benefit package we have today. And It is a reminder that a strong, unified union is the only real protection and means of advancement for workers.

An article from the July 1959 issue of International Teamster magazine.

Click Here to read an interview with John Hartter, a founding Local 237 member who worked in the City Dept. of Water Supply