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Benefits

A Union is about so much more than contract negotiations - it’s also about taking care of one another. This page lists special benefits that one can only access as a PFF member as well as protections and discounts from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the AFL-CIO, under which PFF operates. If you haven’t yet joined PFF, please click the button below.

For any questions about Union benefits, contact PFF Executive Director, Debbie Forward, at debbieforward1@gmail.com.

CONFERENCE FUNDING

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Funds are for conference registration fees and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In an academic year, each PFF member is eligible for an allotment of up to $500, regardless of the number of funding requests.

EMERGENCY FUNDING

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Are you a PFF member in need due to an emergency? Financial assistance is available!

For the purpose of this funding, an emergency is a sudden, unexpected, and unforeseeable situation that creates a significant economic hardship. Examples might include (but certainly aren't limited to):

  • Illness or accident (you or an immediate family member)

  • House fire

  • Plumbing break

  • Car accident/major repairs

  • Crime


Requests are approved on a first-come, first-served basis, up to $599 within an academic year. If approved, a check will be mailed to you.
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Note that this funding is for one-time financial hardship and is not intended as general, ongoing financial assistance.

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Additional resources are available through the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, and both EASE and AFT offer financial counseling services.

SCHOLARSHIPS
 

 

The Palomar Faculty Federation is pleased and proud to announce its 2025 academic scholarship!

Award:

  • $1,000-$3,000


Candidate Criteria:

  1. Will attend a public institution of higher learning in the 2025-2026 calendar year.

  2. Has a cumulative high school or college GPA of at least 3.0.

  3. Must be a family member of a PFF Union Member: spouse, child, or domestic partner.


Application:
Applications will be processed online. Click "Apply" above. Include a cover letter (no more than 2 pages in length) and a copy of your transcript. This year’s deadline for applications is Thursday, May 8, 2025.

 

The transcript must show a cumulative high school or college GPA of 3.0 or higher.

 

The cover letter should contain the following:

  • The name and relationship of the relative who makes you eligible for the scholarship.

  • A statement of how union values, the history of union accomplishments, or a union has positively affected yourself or America.

  • Any academic or extracurricular activities you believe may help the committee better understand your candidacy.

  • Any particular financial hardship or need you may have.

 

Any Questions about the Scholarship should be addressed to palomarfacfed@gmail.com, or you may email the committee chair, Patrick O’Brien, at pobrienca@gmail.com.

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The California Federation of Teachers (CFT) and AFT both have more scholarships available. Visit:

BENEFITS OFFERED to PFF MEMBERS
by AFT and the AFL-CIO

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PFF’s affiliation with the California Federation of Teachers (CFT), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the AFL-CIO enables its Union members to take advantage of additional free protections and deeply discounted savings on common expenses.

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To access these benefits, visit aft.org/member-benefits to first create your account. Have on hand our local’s # (6161) and your personal AFT membership # (if that isn’t handy connect with PFF Organizer Debbie Forward at debbieforward1@gmail.com).

 

 

YOU’RE COVERED

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ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE (AD&D)
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Through insurance offered by the American Federation of Teachers, PFF covers all active, working members with a free $36,250 AD&D insurance policy.

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Whether an accident resulting in a covered injury or loss of life happens at work or away, this coverage pays you or your beneficiary a cash benefit within 90 days. If you need the Beneficiary Designation form to keep with your own files, please request from the Organizer.

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OCCUPATIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE (OLI)
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AFT provides liability protection for damages and attorney fees from claims arising out of a member’s employment activities due to (1) accidental bodily injury (e.g., member opens a classroom door and breaks a student’s tooth), (2) accidental property damage (e.g., member knocks a student’s laptop computer to the floor while explaining a concept) or (3) personal injury claim, such as slander, libel, false arrest, false detention, imprisonment or invasion of privacy (e.g., locker search or a social media post that libels a student).

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IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION
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Enroll yourself at aft.clcidprotect.net for free, annual assessments that will let you know if your information is being abused. You will also be notified if your SS# is ever touched.

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Additional monthly monitoring and protection services are available to you or your entire family for a deep discount.

MORE SAVINGS

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Visit aft.org/member-benefits for the full menu of benefits and savings - just a few are noted here. You’ll see that some of the opportunities take you to UnionPlus, which is the AFL-CIO benefits arm. Create accounts at both AFT and UnionPlus!

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TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT

  • Southwest Airlines

  • Disneyland & other theme parks

  • Restaurants

  • Movie tickets

  • Car rental

  • Hotels

 

EDUCATION & LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

  • Scholarships

  • Rosetta Stone

  • Student debt clinics

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PURCHASES

  • AT&T Wireless

  • Teleflora Flowers

  • Powell’s Online Bookstore

  • Auto purchases

  • Dansko shoes

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MORTGAGE, HOME, FINANCIAL, & LEGAL SERVICES

  • Mortgage & real estate programs

  • Moving services

  • Home security

  • Credit & legal services

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