Education & Professional Development

UFCW Discount College Program

The Discount College program offers an affordable, flexible path to earning a degree online. You can attend part-time or full-time based on your availability. The various college and university partners offer UFCW members and their families exclusive discounted tuition rates ranging from 30% to 50%, and support attendees in accessing other federal financial assistance. Learn more about Discount College.

UFCW Free GED Classes

UFCW members and retirees can take General Equivalency Diploma (GED) classes through Essential GED, with a customized learn-at-your-own-pace study plan, all online, all for free. Learn more about Free GED Classes.

UFCW 3000 and UFCW Charity Foundation Scholarships

Each year, UFCW 3000 along with the UFCW Charity Foundation award multiple college scholarships to union members and their families. The UFCW 3000 scholarships are open for applications each fall/winter and cover a range of options and amounts including four-year scholarship, a first-in-family scholarship, and health care profession scholarships. The UFCW Charity Foundation awards several scholarships of up to $8,000 to UFCW members or their unmarried dependents under the age of 20. Learn more and apply for our UFCW 3000 Scholarships here. Email scholarships@ufcw3000.org for help or with any questions! You can find the UFCW Charity Foundation Scholarship page here.

UFCW 3000 / WeTrain Meatcutter Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Programs

Together with our partner organization WeTrain Washington, UFCW 3000 administers apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship classes in King and Snohomish Counties to help workers get the training and experience needed to become highly skilled journeyperson meatcutters. The two-year apprenticeship has a long and storied history and results in state certification and college credits, along with the opportunity for higher wages and better benefits. Learn more about our Meat Apprenticeship.

UFCW Free Foreign Language Program

Whether it’s for travel, for work, or just for fun, the Free Foreign Language Program for UFCW members offers the ability to learn over 70 languages for free online. These online classes build on four conversational skills necessary to fully learn a new language: vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar & culture. (Note: This program is popular and first-come first-served, so it can be hard to get into.) Learn more about Free Foreign Language classes.

Financial Support

UFCW 3000 Membership Assistance Fund

Every quarter, UFCW 3000 members gather for General Membership Meetings to discuss union issues, and members attending meetings get a credit for two-thirds of one month’s dues. Members also have the option to donate part or all of their dues credit to the Membership Assistance Fund, creating an emergency fund for members in crisis. Membership Assistance Funds have helped members deal with the financial impacts of floods, wildfires, personal health crises, and more. To apply for assistance, contact your Union Rep.

UFCW 3000 Life Insurance Benefit

As a current member of UFCW 3000, you have a no-cost $4,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment benefit. This AD&D benefit is provided jointly through UFCW Local 3000 and American Income Life Insurance Company (AIL), a 100% union company serving working families. Members are also eligible for an option to increase the coverage an additional $10,000 with a cost of $2 for the first year.

Union Discounts

Union Plus and UFCW Discounts

Union Plus consumer benefits are a program of the AFL-CIO (a large federation of unions) exclusively for union members and their families. From pet insurance and cell phone bills to theme park tickets and car rentals, Union Plus offers discounts on countless services and products in a range of categories. Our UFCW international union runs its own discount program as well, for double the benefits and discounts for members Learn more about both these discount programs.

Annual UFCW 3000 Union Days at the Park

Each summer, UFCW 3000 members gather for summer family fun with discount tickets for a Union Day at water parks and amusement parks in our region, currently Silverwood Theme Park (Northern ID and Eastern WA) and Wild Waves & Enchanted Village (Western WA). The discount day is scheduled each summer and members receive invitations to purchase tickets in advance.

Health Care & Retirement

Sound Health & Wellness, UFCW, and Sound Retirement Trusts

UFCW 3000 union contracts can guarantee certain health care and retirement benefits for members, often through our union health care and retirement trusts. These trusts are shared resources with other local unions and our various employers, and are governed with direct union voices on their boards, helping keep benefits high and costs down. You should refer to your contract for details on the health care and retirement benefits available to you. If your contract ensures access to union trust benefits, you can find more information at their websites:

• Sound Health & Wellness (Western WA)

• UFCW Health Trust (Eastern WA/OR/ID)

• Sound Retirement Trust

Other Important Benefits

Union Citizenship Action Network (UCAN)

UFCW 3000 holds citizenship workshops through UFCW’s UCAN program, providing paperwork assistance, legal counsel, and other support to UFCW 3000 members who want to become US citizens. Each member saves at least $1,000 in attorney fees at a citizenship workshop. Talk to your Union Rep for more information about these workshops.

UFCW 3000 Community Partners

Through years of deep, relationship-based community organizing, UFCW 3000 has forged partnerships with more than 50 community organizations across our region that do important work in our communities. We rely on these partnerships when negotiating contracts, advocating for legislation, and when UFCW 3000 members are in need. Chances are if you need support, there is an organization working in your community that has a relationship with our union and could help. Learn more about our community partners.

REFUSE TO ABUSE 5K

Every year, UFCW 3000 sponsors a team for the annual Refuse to Abuse 5K, a fundraising and awareness event for the Washington Coalition Against Domestic Violence in partnership with the Seattle Mariners. Depending on your health insurance, many UFCW 3000 members and families who participate in the 5K run/walk inside of T-Mobile Park each summer can have their registration fee reimbursed and can often earn credit toward health insurance premium discounts by participating. This event generally happens in the summer—talk to your Union Rep for more information about how to join the UFCW 3000 team and any extra benefits available to you.

Specific Benefits in Your Union Contract

Your union contract can include many benefits specific to your workplace beyond wages. Examples from UFCW 3000 contracts include: parking and transportation benefits, staff discounts and access to free items, education leave and funding, paid trainings, paid time off, relocation assistance, and many other things that have been negotiated and fought for by your fellow union members. Learn more by looking up your union contract here.

The services and assistance posted here that are outside of our union are hopefully helpful information for you. But since they are resources outside of our union, UFCW 3000 cannot assure the quality or accuracy of the information they provide. As always when doing banking, housing, financial, or other important consumer decisions, you should read the information closely to insure your protection.

General Assistance

2-1-1 Community Information Line: By dialing "211" on your local phone, you'll reach this information line which offers expert assistance with community resources such as help with rent, food, and low-cost legal services.

Food Assistance

• Basic Food (also called Food Stamps): 1-888-436-6392. Basic Food provides money to buy food using an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT). EBT cards work like debit cards. You can spend your monthly benefits in participating grocery stores.

• Get Help Finding Food | WA.gov The federal government operates a hotline for individuals and families who need information on how to find food. They can connect you with food providers in your community, government assistance programs, and other social services. For general help, you can call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) from Monday through Friday, 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT.

• Access Food Near You | Washington State Department of Agriculture, or call 360-902-1800 Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm. WSDA contracts with one or more lead hunger relief organizations in every county to ensure that lower-income Washingtonians have access to food assistance statewide.  These lead agencies coordinate with food banks, food pantries, and meal programs throughout their county to get safe and nutritious food into the hands of people who need it.

• Food Finder, this online map shows you when and where to find providers who offer free food assistance in your area.

Housing Assistance:

• WA State Dept. Of Commerce, Housing/Rent Assistance - Washington State Department of Commerce. If you need rent assistance, you or your landlord can contact the local organization handling rent assistance applications in your county: List of county Eviction Rent Assistance Program providers. In addition, there are two legal resources available to tenants and landlords.

• Eviction resolution program. You can contact your local dispute resolution center and ask for their help resolving eviction-related issues. You can find a directory of centers here.

• Tenants who receive public assistance or are very low income – $25,760 annual income for an individual or $53,000 for a family of four – can access a lawyer for free during eviction proceedings. Contact the Eviction Defense Screening Line at 855-657-8387 or apply online at the Northwest Justice Project.

• Click here to learn where to turn if you receive an eviction notice, if a landlord violates the Payment Agreement, or if you want to know more about tenants’ rights in Washington state.

• Washington Transitional Housing, Sober Housing; 24 hours 855-860-3119. Transitional, sober housing provides supportive housing along with drug and alcohol treatment for selective locations. Search through our list of supportive housing below to find the transitional resources in Washington you need.

• DSHS’s Housing and Essential Needs Referral program provide access to essential needs items and potential rental assistance for low-income individuals who are unable to work for at least 90 days due to a physical and/or mental incapacity.  Here is a list of local HEN providers, by county.

Unemployment Insurance

• Need to get unemployment? Start at the Employment Security Department or call 1-800-318-6022.

• If you have questions about getting your unemployment claim or even need to seek legal advice The Unemployment Law Project is a great resource for Washington State residents. Or call them at (206) 441-9178 or (509) 624-9178.

Seniors and Families

• Senior Services: 206-448-5757 (TDD: 206-448-5025). Ask to speak with the Information and Assistance Department.

• Important Information for Families: ParentHelp123.org or hotline at 1-866-585-1123 helps Washington State families apply for health and food programs online, and locate resources in their local communities. The website has health information for pregnant women, parents of new babies, and families with children.

Grocery Workers

• Grocery Worker’s Appreciation Fund | United Way Worldwide The fund provides financial support for grocery workers in the form of up to $250 cash cards to help with life’s surprises and urgent needs, from health care expenses to automotive repairs.

Health Care

• Apple Health Insurance for Kids: 1-877-543-7669. A family of four making less than $47,000 (47,700) and a family of three making less than $39,000 (39,580) are eligible for free coverage for their children through apple health for kids. A family of four making less than $71,000 (71,550) and a family of three making less than $ 59,000 (59,376) are eligible for low cost coverage for their children through apple health for kids.

• Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Helpline: 1-800-562-6900.

• The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Helpline provides free health insurance education, assistance, and advocacy to all Washington residents.

Immigration

• WAISN (WA Immigrant Solidarity Network) Hotline: 844-724-3737 from 6 am-6 pm,. The WAISN Hotline offers hope to immigrants through its services available to everyone. WAISN Immigration Services:

  • Call to report immigration enforcement activity in your area.

  • Report if you/a loved one/acquaintance has been detained by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs & Border Protection (CBP).

  • Accompaniment for an immigration appointment.

  • If you are seeking bail to get out of immigration detention.

  • Call to learn about your rights as an immigrant.

  • Connect with other services, such as:

  • Help find your local food bank.

  • Assistance for children 0-5 years old.

  • To learn about your rights as a worker.

  • Information about COVID-19 or the vaccine.

  • WAISN also has Resource Finder for immigrants.

• Colectiva Legal del Pueblo, Immigration Advocates in the State of Washington that provide affordable Legal Services for immigrants, 206-931-1514.

• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), NWIRP provides support in Citizenship, Domestic Violence, Asylum, Children and Juveniles, and all other inquiries. Call 206-587-4009 between 9:30 am –12 pm and 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm.

Domestic Violence

• Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV): Talk to someone 24/7 by calling 800-799-7233. WSCADV is the leading voice to end domestic violence in Washington State, improving how communities respond to domestic violence and working to create a world where all people can live and love without fear. They have contact information and links for domestic violence across the state here.

• Other hotlines and further resources:

  • Love is Respect National Dating Abuse Helpline (all ages) – 1-866-331-9474.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text TELLNOW to 85944.

  • The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative – 1-844-878-CCRI (2274) Provides counseling and technical advice to victims of nonconsensual pornography (“revenge porn”) through a 24-hour Crisis Helpline.

  • Washington Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-562-6025

  • Peace in the Home domestic violence line: 1-888-847-7205 connects domestic violence victims to a social worker of their language & culture in the Seattle area.

Mental Health

Crisis Assistance:

• Life-Threatening crisis? Call 911.

• Mental Health Crisis: Call or text 988

• 24-Hour Crisis Line: Call 1-866-427-4747 for immediate help for individuals, families and friends of people in emotional crisis.

• The National Suicide Hotline: Call 1-800-784-2433 to reach the National Suicide Hotline.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders:

• For an extensive directory of mental health agencies (PDF) check out the Behavioral Health Agency Directory.

• NAMI ( National Alliance on Mental Illness), 1-800-950-NAMI (6264),  Information HelpLine is an information and referral service which can be reached by calling 1 (800) 950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m

• WA Recovery Help Line, 1-866-789-1511, offers an anonymous, confidential 24-hour help line for Washington State residents. This helpline is for those experiencing substance use disorder, problem gambling, and/or a mental health challenge. They can also connect callers with local treatment resources or more community services.

• Teen Link, call 866-833-6546, 24 hours a day. Teen volunteers are trained to listen to your concerns and talk with you about whatever’s on your mind-bullying, drug and alcohol concerns, relationships, stress, depression, or any other issues teens are facing. No issue is too big or too small! Calls and chats are confidential.

• SAMHSA, 1-800-662-4357, 24 hours a day, SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Youth Services

• National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-442-HOPE (4673)

• YouthLine:

  • YouthLine: 1-877-968-8491

  • YouthLine (text): Text TEEN2TEEN to 839863

  • YouthLine: Online Chat (link)

• Trans Lifeline (Transgender Suicide Hotline): 1-877-565-8860

• The Trevor Project:

  • Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ+ Crisis Line): 1-866-488-7386

  • Trevor Text (LGBTQ+ Crisis Text Line): Text START to 678678

  • Trevor Chat LGBTQ+ Crisis Online Chat (link)

• Boys Town National Hotline: 1-800-448-3000

• National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)

• ReachOut, a website and helpline, 800 448-3000, where teens and young adults can find the information they need, reach out, tell their stories, and voice their opinions “without fear of being judged or being different.”