On January 26, the New York Black Car Fund (BCF) and Independent Driver’s Guild (IDG) once again joined forces to provide FREE at-home COVID-19 test kits to drivers at LaGuardia and JFK airport – further evidence EVERY driver covered by the BCF should sign up immediately for the free and discounted benefits they are currently entitled to.
I’ve said it many times before, but it bears repeating since an important deadline is rapidly approaching: While your workers’ compensation benefits would of course remain intact, a long list of free medical, dental, vision, prescription and mental health benefits could soon disappear, if legislators don’t see a sufficient response to the program.
The clock is ticking… There are just a few months left to prove drivers are participating in the program, or the legislation – which needs to be squared away by June – could be allowed to lapse at the end of the year. In addition to the long list of benefits they provide, the BCF would no longer be able to give away items like the free test kits, N95 and surgical masks, vaccine card holders, TLC-mandated passenger seat belt stickers, washable driving gloves, and wrist-worn sanitizer dispensers (called Freebands) that drivers scooped up at LaGuardia Airport’s FHV Lot and the JFK Cell Phone Lot (West) in January.
Registration has picked up in the past year, but literally thousands of drivers still haven’t signed up. Times are tough as it is, so please don’t take any chances. Don’t wait until you NEED one of these benefits, sign up NOW! If you already signed up, please encourage every driver you know to do the same.
To sign up, visit: https://driversbenefits.org/activate-now/?utm_source=WB. You can find additional information at www.nybcf.org or https://driversbenefits.org/benefits/, or by calling 212.269.4800. If you already activated your benefits, call 855.979.1445, for additional assistance on how and where to use them.
If you are a covered driver and missed your opportunity to get your free at-home Covid-19 test kit at either La Guardia or JFK in January, there may still be some left over. To request a free test kit, a pair of masks, a pair of seatbelt stickers and/or a vaccination card holder, email The Black Car Fund at info@nybcf.org; include your full name, mailing address and name of the base whose customers you service.
Until next month, stay safe, stay well and sign up for your free benefits!
