Nancy’s Corner: Member Advocate Resources

Nancy Ferguson: Our 393 Member Advocate “Contact me at 393@memberadvocate.org or 408-464-3738. I am here to assist members: help you navigate benefits, direct you to resources, and find answers. If I don’t know something, I will help you research it.” – Nancy

Dear Local 393 Member,

For those of you who don’t know me, I was a plumber in the field for 31 years before turning in my toolbelt for a desk job. As your member advocate, I am here to connect you to resources through your 393 benefits. 

These are hard times, and all of us are feeling the weight of the COVID crisis. You may be worried about money, the future, or even getting through the day. You are not alone! 

A lot of members are feeling isolated and depressed, and feel that the world is deteriorating. Folks are sadder than they’ve ever been. In normal times, they can be around other people. But being out of work, not having money to pay the bills, and locked in our houses has pushed some folks to the edge. With 393, help is available for members!

The good news is that 393 has resources as part of your benefits. Many folks have never sought treatment for mental health or chemical dependency, but a lot of members are reaching out for help. As your advocate, I’m here to point you in the right direction to get the services you need.

In addition to resources we have as part of our benefits, we have each other. As brothers and sisters in a union, this is a good time to reach out to your buddies and check in on them. The same camaraderie we have on the job carries over into life, and I know that we’ll get through this crisis together.

In solidarity,

Nancy Ferguson, 
Your 393 Member Advocate

P.S. In addition to health care; mental health; and drug, alcohol, and tobacco cessation programs, I can help you with retirement planning/savings and other financial programs; supplemental unemployment; and short and long-term disability. If you have a random question about benefits, free free to contact me.

Learn About Your Benefits @ www.ualocal393benefits.org 

ACCESS HEALTHCARE OR HELP FOR MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ABUSE

For info about health plans, call 393’s benefits administrator, Benesys: 408-588-3751 

PPO Anthem Blue Cross (Physical & Mental Health)

Kaiser (Physical & Mental Health)

Free COVID-19 Test: Outside your health plan: bit.ly/FreeCOVIDTesting 

Free 24-Hour Mental Health Support 

  • Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 855-278-4204 
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: www.namisantaclara.org or 800-704-0900 

Chemical Dependency/Substance Abuse

OBTAIN UNEMPLOYMENT 

  • If you are out of work, file for CA state unemployment at www.edd.gov
  • After you receive CA unemployment, you can apply for 393’s supplemental unemployment at bit.ly/393supplementalbenefits. Many members are eligible, including residential members with different benefits. MEST & Contruction Tradesmen 1-5 are ineligible, as those contracts do not pay into this benefit.
  • If you applied to EDD and haven’t received payment, you can still apply for 393 supplemental benefits when those back payments are received. 
  • For proof of state benefits, see the instructional video at bit.ly/uionlinevideo (in multiple languages). 
  • Additional EDD resources on credit relief/counseling, low-cost auto insurance, food assistance, medical care, housing assistance, etc. available at bit.ly/eddadditionalresources. 

MANAGE YOUR FINANCES 

  • Some of our partners are offering free webinars on how to manage your personal finances and mental health during this time. 
  • Rena-fi series, “Survive, Thrive & Learn During Quarantine”@ at www.rena-fi.com
  • Our credit union, Commonwealth, offers financial education at www.wealthcu.org under resources.
Return to the Fall 2020 Newsletter