Consumer Tips

Is it really free?

Yes! Over $50,000,000 has been awarded to more than 20,000 students in all 50 states since 2015.

Who can get Free College?

Dues paying union members, active retirees and their families — children, grandchildren, spouses and domestic partners, parents, siblings, and financial dependents. The family member doesn’t have to live with you and there’s no limit to the number of family members who can earn a degree.

How does it work?

Union Plus Free College is a last dollar scholarship program, which means students must apply for and use any federal financial aid. The scholarship will make up the difference between the two. There is no minimum or maximum income requirement and no need for any loans.

Does my union pay for this?

No. Your union membership qualifies you and your family for the scholarship, but no union dues are used for the scholarship.

Will my credits transfer?

Credits earned at Eastern Gateway Community College, a public, regionally accredited college that is part of the University System of Ohio, are transferable. In fact, our students have transferred to nearly 1,000 public and private colleges and universities all across the country.

When can I start?

EGCC starts classes every 5 weeks. Start the process today by completing your online inquiry form. We’ll help you with every step of the process! Call 888-590-9009 or Get Started Online

Find out whether your homeowners insurance policy covers mold removal.

Q. What provisions in a typical homeowners insurance policy covers mold removal? Is an extra premium required?

A. Generally, mold, fungus and dry or wet rot are covered only if they result from damage to something caused by a covered peril. However, if mold starts to grow in your home because of improper or inadequate home maintenance, the policy does not provide coverage.

Your homeowners policy tackles mold issues in many instances. Let’s say you are on vacation when a drain backs up, soaking your carpeting. By the time you discover the damage a week later, mold has started to grow. If your policy has Back Up of Sewer, Drain and Sump Pump Coverage, MetLife Auto & Home pays the costs to repair or replace the carpeting—and clean any mold—up to the insurance limit. In some states, Back Up coverage is optional; in others it’s automatically provided. Check your policy’s declarations to confirm whether you have this valuable coverage and the limit on how much it pays. Various limits, from $2,000 to $250,000, are offered in nearly all states.

The presence of mold makes even the simplest situation complicated; coverages and limits vary from state to state. Contact your MetLife Auto & Home representative for specific answers relating to your policy.

Union members can get multi-policy discounts on home and auto insurance* with SnapQuote® offered by MetLife Auto & Home®. Call 1-855-666-5797 or click to see how SnapQuote can help.

Want a quick exit from the rental counter? 

Join Budget Fastbreak. It's smart, simple and fast.

• As a Fastbreak member, you simply flash your valid license, pick up your keys and escape the long lines.
• Returns are just as easy with Fastbreak return. You'll have a special place to drop the car and get on with your day - and your receipt will be emailed to you.

You'll also receive exclusive deals that save you time and money.

Our favorite shortcut. Store your vehicle preferences, rental history and upcoming reservations on Budget.com/UnionPlus. Speed up your experience by choosing Fastbreak Return and e-Receipt.

Fastbreak Members, earn $25 in Budget Bucks

• Rent twice now through December 31, 2019 and Budget will mail you $25 in Budget Bucks.
• There is no limit to how many Budget Bucks you can earn, so keep renting!

Register to start earning Budget Bucks today. 

Join Budget Fastbreak Now

 

Whether your mom has a secret mattress stash of money she’s been saving for your first home, or if you made a special request to your wedding guests to forego the toasters and instead give money toward your new love nest, gift funds can be a big help when it comes to buying a home. Although utilizing gift funds for a down payment on a new home is very common, many don’t realize that the source of the gift is an important factor when going through mortgage financing. There are some things to be mindful of in the process to ensure as a buyer you receive the funds in such a way to satisfy lender guidelines.

The scrutiny by lenders around gift funds is to ensure you are not “borrowing” funds which could, in turn, add to your indebtedness. 
Although cash gifts are most often seen given to first-time home buyers, other buyers ‘moving up’ will occasionally use them as well. The extra cash may be desired to help reach a 20% down threshold which could translate to better interest rates as well as no private mortgage insurance (PMI) which has become quite costly in recent years.

When a borrower qualifies through Fannie Mae guidelines for a conventional loan and has FNMA Desktop Underwriter (DU) approval, often the entire down payment can come from gift funds from family. In the past FNMA has required a borrower to have at least 5% of their own funds into the transaction. FHA loans also allow for all of the minimum down payment of 3.5% to be gift; however, there are some additional guidelines around exactly who can give the gift.
It’s important to know how to structure your gift funds to be sure that you are able to meet lender guidelines.

For instance, a gift letter will be a part of the required documentation requested by your lender. The letter should ultimately be short and simple. Typically, the lender will ask that a borrower include the following information: 

• Address of property to be purchased
• Amount of gift
• Relationship of the gifter and giftee (should be a relative)
• Declaration that this is a gift and does not need to be repaid

Outside of the basic gift letter there are a few other things to keep in mind: 

• Make copies of the front and back of each check. Your lender will need it. 
• Deposit your gift check in an actual brick & mortar bank versus via a smartphone. This process may seem archaic to some, but it helps with the paper trail. 
• Keep a copy of the deposit slip. You may be asked to provide it for the underwriter.
• The gifted check should go into the same account you are using for your closing. The last thing you need is to have to run around and provide new bank statements right before closing.
• If the gifter is shifting funds around in order to give the gift, ask them to make sure there is a clear paper trail. It may need to be verified.

When you know in advance that you will be using gift funds to help with your down payment, be prepared to document it for your mortgage company. 

If you’re ready to purchase a new home and would like to start earning cash back with a SIRVA referred agent, contact us today at 800-284-9756.
 

Spring is in the air! And so are pesky allergens that can cause allergies in every family member including your four-legged friends. While dogs and cats, like humans, can have allergies any time of year, they can also have seasonal allergies. These arrive with the warm weather as nature comes out of hibernation and pollen fills the air.

My Dog Has Allergies!

Dogs can have allergic reactions to a variety of common environmental and household substances but are prone to spring allergies. This is due to the extra pollen in the grass and air. Other common causes of pet allergies include dust, dust mites, grass, ragweed, mold, dander, feathers and flea bites.

Allergies are more common in Terriers, Retrievers, Setters, and dogs with short snouts including Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers.

Can Cats Have Allergies?

Cats can also develop seasonal allergies, especially those that spend time outdoors. Like dogs, cats can have allergic reactions to pollen and other allergens that are more active in the spring. Reduce the chance of your cat having a spring allergy by keeping them indoors, particularly on dry, windy days. Also, keep kitty inside after mowing the lawn, weed pulling, or gardening. Using the air conditioning instead of fans will also reduce the pollen in the air indoors, as well as dusting and vacuuming frequently.

Keep an eye out for the following symptoms that may indicate your pet has an allergy: itching (including excessive scratching, hair loss, red skin or skin irritation); red, watery eyes; excessive paw licking; ear infections (watch for excessive head shaking or scratching of ears), or sneezing (and “reverse sneezing” in dogs, and rarely in cats, when air is inhaled rapidly through the nose)
If your pet is showing any of these five common signs of allergies you should consult your veterinarian.

How Can I Relieve My Pet’s Allergies?

Sometimes symptoms for seasonal allergies will overlap with food allergies or other environmental allergies so diagnosis may be difficult and is best managed by a veterinarian who can prescribe medication if necessary. Diet can help treat allergies such as feeding your dog Omega 3 fatty acids, and yucca for cats and dogs. To treat itching or skin conditions due to allergies, make sure to wipe your pet’s paws after walking outside, and use shampoos that contain pet friendly moisturizers or soothing emollients. Antihistamines are effective in only 20% of pets, and you should consult your veterinarian before administering any medication to your dog or cat. Enjoy the spring with healthy pets, not sneezing pets.

How Can Pet Insurance Help with Allergy Care?

Don’t wait until your pet’s allergies have already developed as pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. Protect your wallet by covering your pet before illness or accident happens.

The Union Plus Pet Insurance program is powered by Pets Best and offers plans to fit all budgets and coverage needs.

Visit unionplus.org/pets to learn more about
which plan is best for your pet!
 

Learn how you can identify allergies in your pet and help them cope with the symptoms.

Common Causes of Pet Allergies 

Pets are just like people in that they can have allergic reactions to a variety of common environmental and household substances. Common allergens include:

• Pollen
• Dust
• Dust mites
• Grass
• Ragweed
• Mold
• Dander
• Feathers
• Flea bites

Look out for these common symptoms that may mean your pet has an allergy:

• Itching (including excessive scratching, hair loss, red skin or skin irritation)
• Red, watery eyes
• Excessive paw licking
• Ear infections (watch for excessive head shaking or scratching of ears)
• Sneezing (and “reverse sneezing” in dogs, and rarely in cats, when air is inhaled rapidly through the nose)

How Can I Reduce My Pet's Allergies?

Reduce the chance of your pet having a spring allergy by keeping them indoors, particularly on dry, windy days. It's also important to keep pets inside after mowing the lawn, weed pulling, or gardening.

Use air conditioning instead of fans to reduce the amount and movement of pollen indoors, as well as dusting and vacuuming frequently.

Ways to Help Treat Your Pet's Allergies

Sometimes symptoms for seasonal allergies will overlap with food allergies or other environmental allergies, so diagnosis may be difficult and is best managed by a veterinarian who can prescribe medication if necessary. Diet can help treat allergies such as feeding your dog Omega 3 fatty acids, and yucca for cats and dogs.

To treat itching or skin conditions due to allergies, make sure to wipe your pet’s paws after walking outside, and use shampoos that contain pet friendly moisturizers or soothing emollients. Antihistamines are effective in only 20% of pets, and you should consult your veterinarian before administering any medication to your dog or cat. 

If your pet is showing any signs of allergy symptoms, consult your veterinarian.

Enjoy the spring with healthy pets, not sneezing pets.

With Union Plus Pet Health Insurance, you can consult a veterinary expert about your pet's allergies with the Pets Best 24/7 Pet Helpline! Accident Only¹ plans are only $6/month for cats and $9/month for dogs. If you'd like to include illness coverage, there are comprehensive BestBenefit Accident and Illness plans² available. 

Learn MORE ABOUT
Union Plus PET HEALTH INSURANCE

If you’re buying electronics or appliances for a family member this holiday season, resist the temptation to spring for an extended warranty in case the item breaks.

Salespeople often push these service plans, which have become a $40 billion business, according to the newsletter Warranty Week. Two-thirds of in-store electronic shoppers and nearly three-quarters of appliance purchasers say that an associate has pitched one to them.

In nearly every case, it’s best to decline the offer. A March study from Stanford University found that consumers may overpay for extended warranties because they overestimate the likelihood that a product will need a repair.

Still, nearly a third of consumers have purchased one, with those buying exercise machines and major appliances most likely to to do so. “Today’s appliances are fairly reliable,” says Dan DiClerico, a home expert with HomeAdvisor.com (and a former editor for Consumer Reports). “The chance that your refrigerator or dishwasher actually needs a repair during the extended warranty period is pretty low."

DiClerico goes on to say that even if an appliance does break, the cost to fix it probably won't be much more than what you'd spend on a warranty. "The numbers aren’t really favorable toward paying for the extended warranty,” he says.

There are some rare occasions when buying an extended warranty could make sense, however. Smartphones, for example, travel with you everywhere, and their screens can  crack easily. In such cases, paying for AppleCare or Samsung Premium Care may be worthwhile. But even here, it really depends on what goes wrong with the device.

What to Consider

If you still want to purchase an extended warranty, follow these tips.

Understand the manufacturer's warranty before making a purchase. Federal law requires that you have access to the manufacturer's warranty before you decide to buy. When you read it, note how long the warranty lasts (typically 90 days or so), what it covers, and whether the company will repair or replace the item or refund your money.

Some manufacturers will also repair a product after the warranty has ended simply because it’s good customer service, so it’s worth contacting the company should a problem arise. Keep in mind that some extended warranties simply duplicate the coverage already offered by the manufacturer's plan.

Check to see whether you already have extended coverage through a credit card. If you bought the product using a credit card, check to see whether the card issuer extends the warranty. Many do for a period of one year or more. If you’re not sure whether your card provides such a perk, call customer service to find out. Or use an app like Sift, which will let you know before your make a purchase with a specific card how long the warranty will last.

Read the fine print. Extended warranty coverage may not be as comprehensive as you think. Extended warranties often include lots of exclusions that make the service less useful. For example, coverage may not include accidental damage, or companies might be able to deny a claim if you haven’t followed their routine maintenance instructions, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The warranty may also require you to use a specific service provider or repair shop for service. “You may have to take the product to a location that isn’t convenient, especially if you don’t live in a big city,” says Richard Alderman, director of the Center for Consumer Law at the University of Houston. “You may have to ship it somewhere, even though shipping isn’t included.”

About 1 in 5 consumers who use an extended warranty is dissatisfied with the repair, and service can take a long time or require multiple tries to get it fixed. There’s also the risk that the warranty provider will go out of business.

Consider how much repairs would cost. Extended warranties cost an average of $126 for large appliances and $21 for small appliances. It costs just $26 more to repair the items without a service plan (see Consumer Reports' extended warranties buying guide). While rare, some warranties require you to hit a deductible before they’ll cover your costs or charge fees for each claim.

Repairs, however, aren't usually that expensive. Because the financial risk of needing a repair without an extended warranty is relatively small, it’s not a huge risk to go without one. 

Buy higher-quality products. Research the items you’re planning to buy before making the purchase. Be sure to understand the manufacturer’s warranty that comes with it. High-quality items may cost more but they’re less likely to break, making it an easier choice to decline the extended warranty. You can learn more about a product's reliability by reviewing Consumer Reports' ratings and product reliability information online.

Also consider where you plan to purchase the product. Look for a retailer that will take returns on defective items. Stores with the most generous return policies will accept broken items, even years after the original purchase. “Not every company is out to get you,” says Bob Hunter, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America.

When to Buy Insurance

On the 'Consumer 101' TV show, Consumer Reports’ expert Octavio Blanco offers tips on deciding when insurance is needed and how to get the most bang for the buck when it comes to coverage.
 

You might feel like you’re mentally ready to sell your home, but is your home ready? Look at this quick checklist of things that you shouldn’t forget before you let potential buyers check out your house.

• Turn on lights
• Make beds
• Wipe down counters
• Clean toilets and put seats down
• Vacuum carpets
• Take out trash
• Clean mirrors
• Air out home by opening windows
• Put away anything on the kitchen counter
• Turn on lights
• Sweep front porch and deck
• Make arrangements for animals to leave the home
• Wipe down cabinets
• Set dining room table
• Light candles (with fresh scents)
• Put out fresh flowers
• Hide clutter via a tote in garage

If you only have a few minutes to get your home ready, consider just doing a few of these. It’s important to think about investing in a home cleaning service while you’re selling your home, so you don’t have to do a deep clean every time you have a showing. If you have kids, give each a tote to store things at the last minute, that can fit neatly in their closet. You can do the same thing if you have pets, find a tote that can store their toys and beds for last minute appointments

When you’re ready to sell a home, check out the Union Plus Real Estate Rewards program. You could get $500 for every $100,000 in home value if you use a real estate agent approved by SIRVA.*

Spring will be here before we know it and that means the height of homebuying season. You may be thinking about buying a home — wanting to jump right into home ownership. Before you start it is important to know what to ask. There are misconceptions about what it takes to buy a home and there are myths about credit and down payment options. 

As a first-time homebuyer, knowing the three important questions and answers when buying a home may bring you confidence and may give you the information you need to move forward. 

Q: Do I make enough money to qualify for a mortgage?

A: Financing programs are available for a wide range of incomes — there is no set income that means you are ready to buy a home. There are other factors that are considered when you apply for a mortgage. They include your credit score, credit profile, and your savings. 

Many customers find the "get prequalified" tool helpful, as it can determine the price range you qualify for. After entering your information a home mortgage consultant can meet with you to review your financing options. Right from the start you will have personal guidance and a mortgage professional to answer any questions you may have.

Q: Is a 20% down payment required?

A: Not necessarily. Even if you have limited savings or modest income, there are a variety of financing options. Some require little or no money down, while some allow for a 3% down payment on a conforming fixed-rate loan like yourFirstMortgage^®. Even if you’re not buying your first home this loan option is available to you. Or, if you are a veteran a VA loan requires no money down. You may also receive and use monetary gifts from family for all or a portion of a down payment or for closing costs. As always, a home mortgage consultant can discuss loan amount, loan type, and property to ensure your eligibility. 

It is important to keep in mind that with a low down payment, mortgage insurance will be required, which increases the cost of the loan and your monthly payment. Talk with a home mortgage consultant about loan amount, type of loan, and property type requirement to ensure eligibility. We’ll explain the options available, so you can choose what works for you.

Q: Do I need a perfect credit score? 

A: No. Your credit score does not have to be perfect. Matter of fact, there are financing programs available for homebuyers with less-than-perfect credit scores. 

Being an Informed Homeowner

As we know — every little bit helps. Ask how homebuyer education and an eligible down payment may qualify you for a closing cost credit.  

The Benefit of Union Plus^® Mortgage Program

The Union Plus Mortgage program, with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, features access to benefits designed for union families. 

After closing on a loan through the Union Plus Mortgage program, you’ll be eligible to receive a My Mortgage Gift^SM award from Wells Fargo — $500 for buying a home or $300 for refinancing your home, for use at participating retailers — and access to mortgage assistance through Union Plus in times of hardship such as layoff, disability or strike.^1,2 Keep in mind that that extended family (parents and children of union members) may be eligible for certain mortgage assistance benefits.

You May Be Closer Than You Think

If you have any questions about the homebuying process, loan options, or would like a free prequalification, contact a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage consultant today. We’re here to support you every step of the way. And if you are considering refinancing, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage has options for you too.

Call 866-802-7312 or
request a consultation today
 

Why Buy? Here Are Some Reasons

Create the Home You Want

With no landlord to answer to, you can build your house into the home of your dreams. There's no need for anyone else's approval or permission.

Deduct Interest on Your Taxes

Unlike rent payments, the interest you pay on your mortgage may be tax-deductible. You may also be able to deduct home equity debt and real estate taxes.

Keep Your Monthly Payments Low

You can find a mortgage whose monthly payment won't go up as the market fluctuates, whereas your rent is typically raised or adjusted each year.

Build Your Equity Every Month

When you purchase a home, you're making an investment in your future. Each mortgage payment you make increases your equity in the house.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Call us today. We're happy to help find out if you qualify, and there's never any obligation.

Visit unionplusmortgage.com or call 855
UNION 53 (855-864-6653) to talk to a loan officer.