Unified Court System (UCS) Benefits
Click on the tabs below to view highlights and associated forms regarding your UCS benefits or download a digital copy of our UCS Plan Summary Booklet / UCS Retiree Plan Summary Booklet for a full overview of coverage.
Click here to learn about the enhancements made to your benefits as a result of the most recent contract negotiations. Enhancements went into effect on 1/1/23.
Vision Benefits
* Unified Court System Part Time employees receive the UCS Dental Plan only.
The Vision Care Plan offers quality services at no cost to the members within the designated plan when using a participating provider.If you choose to get eyeglasses, there are select lenses and frames covered under the plan:
Covered Lenses include, Single vision, Bifocal and Trifocal Lenses, Photogray Lenses (Glass), Blended Invisible Bifocals, Standard Progressive Addition Lenses, Premium Progressive Addition Lenses, and High Index Lenses. Scratch proofing is covered on plan lenses.
The frame collection includes a large selection in multiple styles and is updated periodically. If you opt for a frame that is not part of the collection, you will be given a $150 allowance from the plan and you must pay the difference to the provider.
If you choose to get contacts:Plan contacts consist of soft planned replacement or disposable lenses. For plan contacts, a contact lens formulary is used which allows for an initial supply of the most popular and commonly prescribed brands of soft contact lenses. You are allowed $125 toward non-plan contacts. For non-plan contacts, the $125 allowance will be applied toward the total cost of the contacts. Please note that the duration of the initial supply may vary depending on the lens type, wearing habits and prescribing doctor’s instructions regarding replacement schedule.
Dental Benefits
* Full and Part Time EmployeesThis plan is for employees in the Unified Court System Full and Part Time bargaining unit represented by CSEA. If you were an employee of the CSEA represented State of New York UCS Full Time bargaining unit and retired on or after April 1, 1998 you may be eligible for continued UCS benefits. Whenever the estimated cost of a recommended dental treatment exceeds $500.00 it must be submitted to the Employee Benefit Fund before work begins.
Legal Benefits
This benefit provides assistance with meeting legal expenses for members of the UCS Full Time bargaining unit. Members are free to choose any attorney according to individual needs and type of case. Reimbursement is sent directly to the member.
Limitations and Exclusions:- $1,000 per calendar year (January 1 - December 31) per family.
- Members are reimbursed for legal expenses only to the extent of fees charged and up to the identified maximum for each service. It is important that you discuss with your attorney the estimated charges before you commence any legal work. Charges over the allowances are the responsibility of the member.
- Once you decide to retain legal counsel, you may be required to make an initial payment.
- If a court awards full or partial payment for legal fees, the Fund's payment of allowances shall be reduced by the amount awarded. The total will not exceed the amount charged by the attorney.
- Costs of document reproduction, filings, court fees, etc. are not covered nor are second opinion fees.
- Only matters specified in this brochure are covered. Additional exclusions are listed in the General Exclusion section of this Plan.
- You cannot claim services if you represent yourself.
The Attorney's original bill must be attached to the claim form and mailed to the Fund Office. You can download the form or, if you prefer, call the Fund at (800) 323-2732 and one will be mailed to you.
Maternity Benefits
A member of the UCS Full Time bargaining unit can receive the $300 benefit if either the member or the member's wife/domestic partner has a child. Download the form or call the Fund Office at (800) 323-2732 to obtain a Maternity Benefit Claim Form.
Prescription and Physician Copay Benefits
The Prescription Drug Co-pay and Physician Co-pay benefit allows the member of the UCS Full Time bargaining unit and UCS Retirees to submit for reimbursement once annually for physician office visit co-pays, prescription drug co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs associated with prescription drugs and physician/medical charges not covered by their regular plan(s) for themselves and their eligible dependents. This means you can submit a maximum of $400 in Prescription Drug Co-pays or $400 in Physician/Medical Co-pays or any combination of both with a maximum annual reimbursement of $400. Only one claim will be processed per calendar year.
Complete the claim form and submit with your complete itemized pharmacy printout and/or Explanation Of Benefits (EOB) from your health insurance carrier in one combined claim, when you have reached the maximum benefit of $400 for the current calendar year (January 1st - December 31st). If you do not accumulate the maximum allowed, submit your claim after December 31 for what you did pay. Deadline for claim submission is March 31 of the following year.
Hearing Aid Benefits
Members of the UCS Full Time bargaining unit can submit for up to $150 per ear once every three calendar years towards the cost of a hearing aid, including charges for its fitting upon the recommendation of a physician or otologist. Submit your completed claim form with an itemized receipt of payment and an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your health insurance. The Fund does not pay for any repairs, replacement batteries or any appliances or expenses not recommended or approved by a physician or otologist.
Workplace Security Benefits
All CSEA members in good standing who are covered by the Employee Benefit Fund for one or more benefits are automatically enrolled in this program at no cost to the member or employer. Administered by Pearl Insurance, this program insures the member for trauma experienced during specific incidents while in pursuit of their occupational duties; i.e., criminal assault on the job, hostage situations, and accidental death related to an assault. There are specific benefit amounts paid dependent upon conditions explained in the program booklet.
Criminal Assaults while in pursuit of his/her occupational duties and resulting in at least 10 consecutive workdays absent from work immediately following the incident. Submit a completed Workplace Security claim form along with copies of the filed police report signed by the investigating officer which has been reported, in person, within 48 hours of the incident, a medical statement certifying the extent of injuries and proof of immediate medical attention. The Plan will use the NYS Penal Law, Article 120 as the guideline for determining assault for all claims.
