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Voluntary Furlough Resources

Debt Counseling and Repayment Programs:

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling sponsors a nationwide network of local non-profit organizations that provides consumer credit education, confidential budget and debt counseling and debt repayment programs to families and individuals debt free. Find a local consumer credit counselor at http://www.debtadvice.org or call 1-800-388-2227.

Emergency Financial Assistance and Other Resources

• Pegasus: This not for profit charitable organization was created to assist AFA members coping a critical, life-threatening or disabling illness or injury. Pegasus offers short term emergency grants for members who have been qualified through an application process. The application and eligibility criteria can be downloaded at http://www.thepegasusproject.org/.
• AFL-CIO Community Services: AFA’s affiliation with the AFL-CIO affords members access to a nationwide network of 200 full time labor liaisons skilled in providing union members and their families with referrals to local community resources and services when individual and/or family resources are slim. Find your local community service liaison at www.aflcio.org/communitypartners/peoplehelp/ under the People Who Help Handbook or call 703-683-7833.
• Employee Relief Funds: Employee at many carriers have created charitable organizations to assist fellow employees who have experienced personal difficulties.

United flight attendants have access to funds managed by other United flight attendants or Cause 1-888-288-9036 and United’s Employee Relief Fund at 1-877-48-UAERF.

Alaska Airline flight attendants can seek charitable fund s from the Employee Assistance Fund (EAF). Please contact your local union office or EAP committee for this number.

• Catholic Charities: A national organization with local chapters offering emergency cash assistance, legal and counseling services. Refer to your local phone book or go to http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
• 211: 2-1-1- is a new national telephone number for access to local human services- Its free, easy to remember and takes the confusion out of where to call to give or receive help. Not all states have it up and running, but most will in the near future.
• When the Paycheck Stops : This is a resource guide for union members who have or may face interruption in employment. Specific resources include suggestions for keeping a roof over your head, dealing with creditors, staying insured etc. Link to http://www.aflcio.org/yourjobeconomy/help/index.cfm\

Hospitals/Health Clinics: Low cost/No Cost

• Hill Burton Facilities: Free or reduced health care may be available at your local hospital or nearby health clinic if they are a “ Hill Burton” facility. Contact the admission or finance department to identify if it is a designated Hill Burton facility and to obtain their eligibility requirements. A directory of all current Hill Burton health care facilities by states and cities is available at
  http://www.mccapny.org/guide/chap10d.htm#hillburton

Health Insurance For Children: No Cost and Low Cost

• SCHIP is available in almost every state for America’s children through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The program is designed to ensure that children are not denied health care because their parents do not have health insurance coverage. The program is federally funded but implemented by each state. You can learn about how to qualify for the SCHIP program and find information about its availability in your state at the Insure Kids Now web site (www.insurekidsnow.gov) or at 1-877-543-7669.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE: Free or Reduced Cost

• Union Privilege offers AFA members access to a network of attorneys for a free telephonic or in-person 30 minute consultation and reduced fee if the attorney’s services are retained. Call 1-800-452-9425 or go to www.unionprivilege.org.
• Legal Services Corporation promotes equal access to the courts by providing funds for civil legal assistance to those who would be otherwise unable to afford legal counsel. Local programs can be identified by calling 202-336-8800

Prescriptions: Low Cost/No Cost

• Prescription drug assistance programs provide needy patients with medications they might not otherwise be able to afford. Pharmaceutical companies provide select medications free of charge to physicians for qualified patients. To make it easier for physicians to identify the growing number of programs available, member companies of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) created the Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs. Information about covered medications, eligibility and how to apply is provided. The directory is available at http://www.phrma.org/.
• Rx Assist: Volunteers in health care developed RxAssist to help physicians identify programs offering free medications for their eligible patients. The on-line program is designed to save physicians time and frustration by making it easier to identify appropriate programs for their patients, and submit application which conform to the company’s requirements. Talk to your doctor about contacting RxAssist at 877-844-8442 or www.volunteersinhealthcare.org/rxsoft.htm

Unemployment Benefits:

Connect to your state’s unemployment web site to apply for unemployment and to calculate benefits. Link to AFL-CIO Unemployment Resources.

Utility Bills Assistance:

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers assistance with paying for your home’s heating and/or cooling costs. In addition, there may be other programs operated by your local utility company or local united way organization to help pay for utility bills. Contact your local utility company or your local AFL-CIO community service liaison for more information. You can locate your local community service liaison at http://www.aflcio.org/communitypartners/peoplehelp/

Worklife Resources

Child Care/Eldercare: Resources and Nationwide Referrals

• Child Care Connector: This service will provide parent(s) with information to evaluate and find child care in their local community. Contact 1-800-424-2246 or http://www.childcareaware.org
• Dependent Care Services: : Does your carrier offer you a Worklife/Dependent Care Service through a vendor? United flight attendants can contact this service at http://lifecare.com/

Educational/Growth Opportunities

• AFA Scholarship Fund: Dependents of AFA members who will be attending a college or university can apply for a financial need based scholarship. Link to http://www.afanet.org/scholarship.asp
• Online Help for College Costs : This AFL-CIO sponsored site offers links to scholarships, loans, useful financial aid information and budget calculators.
• National Labor College: Labor’s own college at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies in Silver Spring Md. offers nationally accredited degree programs. AFA members can complete their degree using their life and AFA experiences towards college credits. For more information go to www.georgemeany.org.