The Higher Education Differential is a new benefit that PEF negotiated in the 2023-2026 PS&T Contract. Members who met the initial late March proof-of-eligibility deadline received the money on April 24 (Administration Payroll) or May 2 (Institution Payroll). The deadline was then extended to May 3 and PEF is waiting for a payroll bulletin from the Office of the State Comptroller to clarify when that money will be paid to members who submitted proof before the second deadline.
Agency HR and personnel offices handled the process of collecting proof. Any PS&T member with an Associate’s degree or higher, or anyone who has a license issued by the New York State Education Department, qualified for the $600 payment, which is intended to reflect the unique professional nature of the titles PEF members hold in State service. The $600 will be paid this year and again in 2025.
PEF has your back
Members should save confirmation that their submission of proof was received.
“You get confirmation, you save it,” said PEF President Wayne Spence. “If they say they didn’t receive it, then we will ask you for the confirmation so we can fight for you. We are hoping these things won’t happen.”
Greenberg urged members to contact PEF if they face any obstacles.
“We can only advocate when we know there is a problem,” she said. “We need to know what’s going on at the ground level, so if something happens, contact your field rep. If your proof is rejected, contact your field rep. If you think there is obstruction from your agency, contact your field rep.”
On a PEF Telephone Town Hall on Feb. 29, 2024, President Spence said he was going through the process himself.
“Don’t walk away from this $600,” he said. “I graduated in 1989 and I had to go back and find my degree.”