NALC Member Counts on Union Plus to Deliver After Hurricane
Letter Carriers member Paul Trotman was lucky his house survived Hurricane Florence. When the dust settled, he applied for a Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant, a benefit of being an eligible Union Plus Credit Cardholder. He and his family used the $500 grant to get back on their feet.
By the time Hurricane Florence made landfall in September 2018, Paul Trotman’s wife and son had safely evacuated their coastal home in Wilmington, North Carolina. Trotman stayed behind because he works for the U.S. Postal Service, which powers on no matter the weather.
As a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 464, Trotman loves the benefits, salary and community engagement he experiences while delivering the mail. He appreciates that his union has his back.
Florence’s record rainfall totals proved devastating to Wilmington. In all, Florence caused 53 deaths and more than $24 billion in damage throughout the Carolinas.
“I woke up to howling winds and debris slamming into our home,” Trotman describes. “I did not have power for five days and the rain lasted for another week.”
The Trotmans experienced damage across their entire property.
Because he and his wife are Union Plus Credit Cardholders1, Trotman found out about the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant2, which helps eligible cardholders facing financial hardship due to a natural disaster. The Disaster Relief Grant is $500 and does not have to be repaid*. Eligible members must have been Union Plus Credit Cardholders for at least three consecutive months and their account must be in good standing.
“We were so glad to find out about the Disaster Relief Grant,” says Trotman. “Our representative from Union Plus even followed up to let us know it was mailed.”
The family applied their grant toward restocking their food supply, paying household bills and covering extra storm expenses and lost wages.
“Union Plus truly cares about union members,” Trotman notes. “With Hurricane Florence, it was such a blessing having the help.”
Learn more about the Union Plus Disaster Relief Program,
please visit unionplus.org/disaster.
1Union Plus Credit Cards are issued by Capital One, N.A. pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Credit approval required. Terms and conditions apply.
2Certain restrictions, limitations and qualifications apply to these grants. Additional information and eligibility criteria can be obtained at https://www.unionplus.org/hardship-help/disaster-relief-grants.
*In addition to Union Plus Credit Cardholders, union members who are a part of the Union Plus Mortgage Program, Union Plus Life Insurance, Union Plus Accidental Death Insurance, Union Plus Auto Insurance, the Union Plus Personal Loan Program and Union Plus Retiree Healthcare are also eligible.