Michigan Family Avoids Becoming Another Foreclosure Statistic Thanks to Union Plus Disability Grant

In the first three months of 2009, more than 33,000 homes in Michigan, or 1 in every 136 housing units, faced foreclosure. Last year, the home of Jill and Richard Stringer – United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) members, respectively – was dangerously close to being one of them. But thanks to a unique disability benefit from the Union Plus Credit Card, the Stringers were able to stay in their home of 23 years.

Union Plus Disability Grants provide union members who are sick or disabled with financial assistance of up to $2,000. In addition to the grant, a payment of $250 is paid directly to the Union Plus Credit Card holder’s account.

The grants, which never need to be re-paid, are designed to offer quick financial assistance to union families who are facing tough economic circumstances.

For the Stringers of Smiths Creek, MI, the financial assistance of $1,250 could not have come at a better time. The family’s finances had already taken a hard hit in 2001 when Richard lost his job as a mailer after five years of being on strike against the Detroit Newspaper Agency. Jill, a member of UFCW Local 876, suffered a serious foot ailment that prevented her from working as a grocery store cashier.

While Richard works full-time in a non-union job, the absence of Jill’s regular paycheck took a toll on the family’s finances. “We were really glad we had the Union Plus Credit Card. The grant helped us out by allowing us to catch up on our mortgage payments. It prevented us from heading into foreclosure,” says Richard.

The impact of a health disability on a working family is two-pronged. A family strives to stretch disability pay to cover regular household expenses, while simultaneously being confronted with a slew of health-related expenses. Union-won health insurance helps to defray the cost of medical bills, and benefits such as the Union Plus Disability Grant can help to alleviate some of the stress that comes with being out of work.

Both Richard and Jill come from union families (his mother and father were both United Auto Workers members, while Jill’s father was a proud Teamster), so they are deeply aware of how unions can help workers provide a better life for their families.

“When you’re a member of a union you get a lot of benefits, including decent health care. The contract benefits are great, but it’s nice to know that grants are available to members when they aren’t able to work too,” says Richard.

Jill, who was unable to work for some nine months, agrees: “Had we not received the grant we would be in foreclosure now. This is truly a blessing and we can’t say thank you enough. Thank you from our hearts. I am proud to be a union member.”

Jill recently returned to her job with restricted duty as a cashier at a local grocery store and has enjoyed seeing her regular customers and catching up with her fellow union members. Importantly, Jill also is spreading the news about the ease of applying for a Union Plus Disability Grant.

Union members who have had the Union Plus Credit Card for at least one year, have been out of work for at least 90 days, and who experienced a loss of 25 percent or more of household income due to the illness or disability within the past six months are eligible to apply for a Union Plus Disability Grant. To apply for a Union Plus Credit Card, call 1-800-522-4000, or visit UnionPlus.org to see the wide array of benefits available to union members including those that help in times of financial hardship.