Union Plus
Union Plus

Disability Grant

Union Plus Hardship Assistance

Disability Grant

Benefit Description

$1,600 - $2,700 payment to eligible Union Plus Credit Card or Teamster Privilege Credit Card cardholders who within the past 12 months have been unemployed for at least 45 days and lost 25% or more of their monthly income, due to an illness or disability and meet the requirements below.

If you qualify, you will be paid a Disability Grant in the amount of 60% of the demonstrated average monthly disability income loss, up to a maximum grant of $2,700. The minimum grant amount is $1,600. All grants will be rounded to the nearest $100.

Requirements
  1. You must be a Union Plus Credit Card or Teamster Privilege Credit Card cardholder in good standing on the date of disability.
  2. The disability must have commenced at least (3) months after you became a Union Plus Credit Card or Teamster Privilege Credit Card cardholder.
  3. You must complete the required application below and provide documentation that you or a joint-owner or authorized user of your Union Plus Credit Card or Teamster Privilege Credit Card account:
    • Has been unemployed for at least 45 consecutive days within the 24-month period prior to the date that you submit an application for a Disability Grant
    • Has, within the 24 months prior to your application for a Disability Grant, lost 25% or more of your monthly income for a minimum of 45 consecutive days (the "disability income loss") and
    • That the illness or disability that caused the period of unemployment commenced at least 3 months after you became a Union Plus Credit Card or Teamster Privilege Credit Card cardholder.
  4. You must provide proof of the disability income loss for the period of illness or disability, proof of the date of illness or disability, and proof of income before and after the date of illness or disability.
  5. You may only receive three Disability Grants under the CAP for each Union Plus or Teamster Privilege Credit Card account per your lifetime, but no more than one Disability Grant per year. If you have multiple Union Plus Credit Card or Teamster Privilege Credit Card accounts, you can only receive one Disability Grant for any unique illness or disability event.
How to Apply
  1. Collect and copy the required documentation:
    • Pay stubs showing income for two full pay periods prior to date of disability (or W2 form from last year)
    • Proof of disability such as evidence of disability income, physician's statements or work status reports
    • Proof of disability income you are receiving now; or documentation that you are on leave without pay
  2. Complete the online application form (you'll be prompted to create an account, or login to an existing account prior to completing the application).
  3. Submit your documentation through one of the following channels:
    • Upload documents through our website via the My Forms section of your profile (recommended).
    • Email your application and documents to grants@unionplus.org.
    • Fax your application and document to our secure fax line at 866-481-5568.

      However, if you are unable to use one of those means of getting your application to us, please mail all required documentation to:

      Union Plus Disability Grant
      1100 First St. NE, Suite 850
      Washington, DC 20002
  • Please allow 6-8 weeks for application processing. You will be notified by mail when your application has been approved or denied.
  • If approved for the grant, payment will be made by check and mailed directly to you.

Mailing Instructions: 

  • Please do not send originals. Documents will not be returned to you.
  • All documents should be copied onto 8.5" x 11" paper.
  • Only copy/print one side of paper.
  • Please do not use staples or fasteners. 

Please note: Failure to comply with these instructions will result in significantly delayed processing time.

Important: 

Grants valued at $600 or more may be considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service. Therefore, approved recipients receiving grants of $600 or more in a calendar year will receive an IRS Form 1099-MISC in January of the following year.  If the documentation you submitted does not contain your social security number, we will contact you to complete an IRS W-9 form.  This document must be returned to our office before we will release a grant payment exceeding $600. Please keep your eye on your email inbox for this important request.

Questions

Please visit our Union Plus Grants FAQ. Send additional questions to grants@unionplus.org.

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These hardship assistance grants are provided and administered through the AFL-CIO Mutual Benefit Plan (“The Plan”).  Certain administrative responsibilities for the Plan have been delegated to Union Privilege. Union Privilege is the non-profit organization established to create and oversee member benefit programs for working families. Grants may not be offered in every state.

The Union Plus Credit Cards and Teamster Privilege Credit Cards are issued by Capital One, N.A. pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.