Consumer Tips

The connection between diabetes and hearing loss  is not entirely clear, but we do know that diabetes is a condition where the body doesn't properly process food to use as energy. Most food is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin that helps glucose get into our cells. When you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin, or can't use its own insulin as well as it should, and this causes sugars to build up in the blood.

Chronic high blood sugar takes its toll on the small blood vessels throughout your body, including your ears, which can result in nerve damage. “The cochlea (inner ear) is very small, and the effects of diabetes can have a big impact on hearing nerves,” says Amplifon Hearing Health Care’s Director of Clinical Programs, Carrie Meyer, Au.D. “Low blood flow and higher cholesterol levels, common with diabetes, have the potential to cause damage.”

If you are diabetic, get your hearing tested annually to address any changes early. Also be on the lookout for symptoms of diabetic nerve damage, including pain and numbness, commonly felt in legs and feet. If the nerves in your ears get damaged, you’ll most likely experience signs of hearing loss. 

At Union Plus we ensure our members are supported by providing the premier products, services, and education that will help them maintain a high quality of life. Hearing loss is a degenerative condition that cannot be reversed but can be treated. 

Jeanné Larson works for the state of Alaska helping people understand and navigate Medicare and health insurance, and is a longtime American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 52 member.

Larson recently refinanced her home of 13 years with Wells Fargo through the Union Plus Mortgage Program.

“We were able to submit a lot of the documents Wells Fargo needed through their online portal,” she says. “It’s really amazing what technology can do now.”

With financing through Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, the Union Plus Mortgage Program helps union members, their parents, and children purchase or refinance their homes while also offering exclusive union-member benefits, including an award from Wells Fargo after closing¹ and hardship help from Union Plus.

“It was a pretty seamless transition from start to finish,” Larson says. “We couldn’t have been happier with the process and how everything moved along, and the award was an extra bonus after everything was finalized.”

The Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program caught Larson’s eye — it provides interest-free loans and grants to eligible union members to help them make their mortgage payments in the event they become disabled, unemployed, locked out, or go on strike.²

“We’re all one catastrophe away from financial ruin,” Larson notes. “That was a big concern given everything that happened during the pandemic.”

Larson encourages fellow members to consider the Union Plus Mortgage Program.

“[The Union Plus Mortgage Program] has benefited my life and given me a lot of financial security,” she says. “We receive reminders in the mail about mortgage protection and the other benefits offered through Union Plus, and it always gives us peace of mind. It’s amazing the wide range of benefits available.”

Visit unionplus.org/mortgage for more information.

If you are a union member who participates in certain Union Plus programs and has been affected by Hurricane Idalia in Florida or Georgia you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant Program.¹

Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to eligible participants of any of the following programs:

• Union Plus Credit Card Program²
• Union Plus Mortgage Program
• Union Plus Personal Loan Program
• Union Plus Life Insurance
• Union Plus Accidental Death Insurance
• Union Plus Auto Insurance 
• Union Plus Retiree Health Program

Plus, grant eligibility has recently been expanded, so eligible applicants can receive up to three grants per lifetime, but no more than one Disaster Relief Grant per year.

To qualify for a Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant:

1. Your primary residence must be located in a county or parish affected by a natural disaster listed in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Declaration offering “Individual Assistance”. To check if your county has been designated as an area eligible for individual assistance, visit FEMA's disaster declaration page.
2. You must have a Union Plus Credit Card or Teamster Privilege Credit Card for at least three months¹, Union Plus Mortgage, Union Plus Life or Accidental Death Insurance, Union Plus Retiree Healthcare or Union Plus Auto Insurance policy for at least 12 months, or Union Plus Personal Loan for at least six months with the account or policy in good standing (be up to date on payments).
3. Contact Union Plus to initiate a claim for a grant within 24 months of the incident date.

If you participate in the Union Plus Credit Card Program and want to apply for a disaster relief grant, call 1-800-622-2580.

If you participate in any other of the designated programs and want to apply for a disaster relief grant, call 1-800-472-2005.

The Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund has provided nearly $1 million in assistance to union members facing hardships following hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters. Head to the Union Plus Disaster Relief Page to learn more about the benefits and eligibility requirements.

If you are a union member who participates in certain Union Plus programs and has been affected by wildfires in Maui, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant Program.¹

Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to eligible participants of any of the following programs:

• Union Plus Credit Card Program²
• Union Plus Mortgage Program
• Union Plus Personal Loan Program
• Union Plus Life Insurance
• Union Plus Accidental Death Insurance
• Union Plus Auto Insurance 
• Union Plus Retiree Health Program

Plus, grant eligibility has recently been expanded, so eligible applicants can receive up to three grants per lifetime, but no more than one Disaster Relief Grant per year.

To qualify for a Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant:

1. Your primary residence must be located in a county or parish affected by a natural disaster listed in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Declaration offering “Individual Assistance”. To check if your county has been designated as an area eligible for individual assistance, visit FEMA's disaster declaration page.
2. You must have a Union Plus Credit Card or Teamster Privilege Credit Card for at least three months¹, Union Plus Mortgage, Union Plus Life or Accidental Death Insurance, Union Plus Retiree Healthcare or Union Plus Auto Insurance policy for at least 12 months, or Union Plus Personal Loan for at least six months with the account or policy in good standing (be up to date on payments).
3. Contact Union Plus to initiate a claim for a grant within 24 months of the incident date.

The Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund has provided nearly $1 million in assistance to union members facing hardships following hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters. Head to the Union Plus Disaster Relief Page to learn more about the benefits and eligibility requirements.

Juggling between buying and selling a home can be tricky. If you need the funds from your home sale to purchase your next house, the timing of your home sale can be critical to this process. Here are some creative ways to get to your final destination unscathed.

RENT YOUR HOME

In a hot real estate market, you might sell your home quickly. This might not seem like an issue until you realize you aren’t ready to uproot your family on closing day. If you need a little more time, consider asking the buyer if you can rent your home for a certain length of time until your new home closes. This will allow you to avoid moving twice!

PUT WHAT YOU DON’T NEED IN STORAGE

If you sell quickly, consider storing the things you won’t need during this transitional time in a portable storage box. You can have it dropped off at your home so you can pack it, have it picked up and then schedule delivery when your home closes. This will allow you to only load and unload one time when your home is ready.

GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR MORTGAGE OPTIONS

Although not an ideal situation, sometimes you don’t have a choice and must purchase a home before your home sells. If this is the case, talk to a mortgage consultant about your options. It’s important to check and see if you qualify for a second mortgage based on your financial situation. If the traditional application process doesn’t work, you can always ask about tapping into your home equity or looking into bridge loans.

And, as always — if you’re ready to purchase a new home – check out the Union Plus Real Estate Rewards Program powered by Sirva. You can earn $500 for every $100,000 in home value when you use one of their real estate agents to sell or buy a home.*

As summer approaches, it's time to start planning for the perfect outdoor barbecue. There’s no better way to kick off the 2023 grilling season than by celebrating National Barbecue Day on May 16th! This year, make your celebration special by using union-made products to support American workers.

When you use union-made products, you are not only supporting a strong middle class, but you are also supporting the workers' right to collectively bargain and have a voice in the workplace. Here are some union-made products that you can use to make your National Barbecue Day celebration a success.

Union-made foods and products for your celebration:

Main course:

• Hot dogs: Ball Park, Hebrew National, Oscar Mayer
• Hamburgers: Butterball, Tyson Foods

Condiments:

• Heinz ketchup 
• French's mustard 
• Vlasic relish
• Barbecue sauce: Hunt’s, Stubb’s, Sweet Baby Ray’s

Snacks and Sides: 

• Snacks: Frito-Lay products
• Sides: Van Camp’s Beans, Vlasic pickles, Del Monte canned fruits and vegetables

Beverages:

• Beer: Budweiser, Miller, Coors
• Soda: Pepsi and Coca-Cola
• Water: Nestle Pure Life

Grilling Tools: 

• Grill: Weber
• Grilling tools: Craftsman and Stanley

Celebrate National Barbecue Day with union-made products and show your support for workers nationwide. Happy grilling!

April 23 is National Picnic Day, a day to celebrate the joys of eating outdoors with friends and family. What better way to celebrate than by using quality, union-made food and drinks?

Workers who have fought for and won better wages, benefits, and working conditions make union-made products. When you buy union-made, you're not only supporting a quality product, you're also supporting a strong middle class and a fair economy.

Need picnic ideas for union-made drinks and food?

• Sandwiches: Bread, meat, cheese, and vegetables are all union-made products. You can make sandwiches or buy them from a local deli or grocery store.
• Fruit: Fruit is a healthy and refreshing snack perfect for a picnic. You can buy fruit from a local farmer's market, or you can pick your fruit at a local orchard.
• Snacks: A large variety of union-made snacks are available at your local grocery and convenience stores.
• Drinks: There are many union-made drinks available, such as soda, water, juice, and beer.

When you pack your picnic basket this National Picnic Day, include some union-made food and drinks. You'll be supporting a good cause and enjoying a delicious meal.

Tips for planning a union-friendly picnic:

• Do your research. Before you head to the store, take some time to research union-made products. 
• Talk to your local grocery store. Let your local grocery store know that you're interested in buying union-made products. They may be able to stock more union-made products if they know there's a demand for them.
• Support your local union shops. When you're in your community, support your local union shops. These shops sell union-made products and support union workers.

Picnic-friendly, union-made food and drinks:

• Chips: Doritos, Fritos, Lays Chips, Rolled Gold Pretzels, Cheetos, Ruffles, Sun Chips
• Sweet Treats: Chips Ahoy, Nilla Wafers, Kit Kat, Ding Dong, Rice Crispy Treats, Twinkies
• Beer: Budweiser, Land Shark Lager, Michelob, Miller, Sam Adams, Molson Canadian 
• Wine: Franzia, Almaden, Barrelli Creek, Bartles & Jaymes, Black Box
• Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, Hawaiian Punch, Gatorade, Lipton Tea, Sprite

By following these tips, you can help support union workers and a strong middle class while enjoying a delicious and satisfying picnic to celebrate National Picnic Day.

History of the Hearing Aid

Hearing aids have evolved so much over time — it's hard to believe that a hollowed-out horn was the only option at one point! "Technology" didn't find itself in the hearing aid industry until the late 1800's with the telephone as inspiration. It wasn't until the late 1900's that the technology was able to fit into something that only fit on your ear versus a device with wires you had to clip on your pants.

Technology has been advancing so quickly since the end of the 20th century that the hearing aids of today are virtually invisible and have very few limitations on the levels of customization.

10 hearing aid facts that may surprise you

1. Digital hearing aids can be programmed using your computer and can tailor the settings to your exact, unique needs. New digital technology allows you to take phone calls and hear the TV right through your devices on top of many other cool features.
2. Hearing aids are more adjustable than ever. They can make the distinction between speech and background noise. When combined with special induction loops, hearing aids can accurately pick up announcements in crowded places and subtract the background noise and frequency distortions. These adjustable features are also available on your smartphone to a certain extent.
3. Programming allows hearing aids to auto-adjust to memory based on your setting. This enables the hearing aid to automatically revert to your most comfortable setting. The settings are based on your previous use and real-time interactions with the environment.
4. You have battery choices. Digital hearing aids are compatible with rechargeable technology. Disposable batteries can be used if needed.
5. Two hearing aids are better than one, even if you’ve only lost your hearing in one ear. Remember sounds come from every direction. Two hearing aids increase your ability to detect which direction a sound is coming from, which can be lifesaving in certain situations, like crossing a busy street.
6. Wearing hearing aids is different from putting on a pair of prescription glasses. Hearing aids don’t always work effectively right away. Usually, an audiologist won’t set your hearing aid to full prescription at the beginning, but rather they allow you time to adjust so you don’t feel overwhelmed. It can take up to three visits to get your hearing aids completely tuned in.
7. Hearing aids take time to get used to. Your brain might not be used to distinguishing between which sounds are important and which aren’t. Just like trying to establish a new habit will take time, so does the habit of using your hearing aids.
8. Tell your hearing provider you'd like to take the hearing aids for a test drive. The Union Plus Hearing program, in partnership with Amplifon, offers a 60-day, no-risk trial period with a 100% money-back guarantee if the hearing aids are not the right fit for you.
9. Hearing aids can help reduce the symptoms of tinnitus, a condition generally experienced with noises or ringing in the ears or head. Some hearing aids provide a kind of ‘masking’ effect for tinnitus, allowing you to hear sounds more naturally.
10. Hearing aids might slow down cognitive decline in the elderly. When you can’t hear properly, you are less engaged, and when you’re not engaged, there tends to be an increase in cognitive decline. It stands to reason that when hearing aids boost your confidence to take part in conversations and engage with people, they will help slow down mental decline.

If you have questions about the technology available today and what the best options are for you, schedule an appointment with a provider today. 

At Union Plus we ensure our members are supported by providing the premier products, services and education that will help them maintain a high quality of life. Hearing loss is a degenerative condition and cannot be reversed, but it can be treated. If you or a member of your family have been experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a comprehensive hearing exam today.

Given that buying a home is a big financial decision, it’s best not to go into it blindly. 
 
Here are some quick and easy ways to tell if there might be an underlying issue with the home. Obviously, if you sense something might be wrong, you will need to pay an inspector (or a special service company) to investigate and confirm an issue.

Foundational:

• Cracks in the driveway, foundation or sidewalks
• Drainage systems not pointing away from the house
• Yard sloping towards the house
• Standing water near the foundation
• Trees with roots close to the foundation
• Cracks in the walls
• Windows or wall corners not square
• Gaps on top of interior doors when closed

Water or Mold:

• Musty smell
• Cracks around windows
• Peeling paint
• Leaking faucets, bathtubs or toilets
• Water stains on the walls
• No bathroom ventilation
• Missing tile caulk

Roof:

• Ceiling stains
• Missing, cracked, curled or warped shingles

Electrical:

• Lights that flicker or short-out
• Main panel condition (rusty or damaged in any way)
• Exposed wires

Plumbing:

• Water stains in bathroom around plumbing
• Low water pressure
• Drains empty slowly
• Noises when you turn on the water
• Bad odor by the sink

With these tips, we hope you’ll be able to spot any big issues before your closing day. 
When you decide you’re ready to buy a home, check out the Union Plus Real Estate Rewards Program powered by SIRVA. You can earn $500 for every $100,000 in home value when you use one of their real estate agents to sell or buy a home.*

If you are a union member who participates in certain Union Plus programs and has been affected by severe storms in California, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant program.¹

Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to eligible participants of any one of the following programs:

• Union Plus Credit Card Program²
• Union Plus Mortgage Program 
• Union Plus Personal Loan Program
• Union Plus Life Insurance
• Union Plus Accidental Death Insurance
• Union Plus Auto Insurance 
• Union Plus Retiree Health Program

Plus, grant eligibility has recently been expanded, so eligible applicants can receive up to three grants per lifetime.

To qualify for a Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant:

1. Your residence must be in a county qualifying for individual assistance money from FEMA. To check if your county has been designated as an area eligible for individual assistance, visit FEMA’s disaster declarations page.
2. You must have a Union Plus Credit Card or Teamster Privilege Credit Card for at least three months1, Union Plus Mortgage, Union Plus Life or Accidental Death Insurance, Union Plus Retiree Healthcare or Union Plus Auto Insurance policy for at least 12 months, or Union Plus Personal Loan for at least six months with that account or policy in good standing (be up to date on payments).

If you participate in the Union Plus Credit Card Program and want to apply for a disaster relief grant, call 1-800-622-2580.

If you participate in any other of the designated programs and want to apply for a disaster relief grant, call 1-800-472-2005.

The Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund has provided nearly $1 million in assistance to union members facing hardships following hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters. Head to the Union Plus Disaster Relief Page to learn more about the benefits and eligibility requirements.