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CWA Contest Winner Receives Two Monthly Mortgage Payments
Home ownership is nothing new for West Chester, Pa., resident Deborah Weischedel. Having been a homeowner most of her adult life, she is well-acquainted with the benefits of home ownership. However, when life circumstances forced her to sell her house a couple years ago, Weischedel wanted to get into another one as quickly as possible.
"I’m recently divorced. I’m getting back on my feet again, I had to sell a big, beautiful house that I owned on acres of land. Being able to buy something of my own again was a big priority for me."
The Union Plus Mortgage Program, with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, helped Weischedel purchase a new house, which she moved into in July 2013. She received an e-mail regarding the Union Plus Home Sweet Home Contest earlier this spring and decided to enter.
“I don’t usually enter contests, but it seemed like such a simple process,” she said.
Homeowners with a Union Plus Mortgage were eligible to win either a first-place prize of two monthly mortgage payments or a second-place prize of one monthly mortgage payment (up to $1500 each). Contestants simply needed to upload a photo of their homes at UnionPlus.org and submit an essay explaining what home ownership means to them.
"I’ve been a homeowner almost my entire life up until the past couple years," Weischedel said. "It was devastating to have sold my home. To have a place of my own and not throw away money on rent, to be able to work toward something – it just gives you a feeling of confidence."
Much to her surprise, Weischedel, who serves as treasurer for CWA Local 13301 in Ridley Park, Pa., won the contest’s first place prize.
"I’ve never won anything of any significance; I was very excited," Weischedel said. "Being a new homeowner, there are things I need to get done to make it more of my own. That helps me get these projects started."
Union members can apply for a mortgage loan through the Union Plus Mortgage program by phone or meet with a home mortgage consultant face-to-face in areas where Wells Fargo has branch office locations. The program provides a full range of competitively priced mortgage loans for purchasing and refinancing, including conventional, FHA and VA loans.
Weischedel is quick to tell fellow union members about benefits offered through Union Plus.
“I always tell people at meetings about the Union Plus programs,” she said. “There are so many good benefits for union members.”
Thanks to Union Plus, Weischedel is once again a homeowner, and she can attest that it is home sweet home.
“It’s such a good feeling to be back working toward goals in life,” she said. “Everything is good.”
The Union Plus Mortgage program has provided more than $40 billion in mortgages to help more than 260,000 union members and their families buy or refinance a home. It is packed with special benefits tailored to meet the needs of active or retired union members, as well as their parents and children, who want to buy or refinance a home.
Some of the benefits of the Union Plus Mortgage program include:
- Hardship Assistance – Union Plus Mortgage Assistance1 helps members and their families who are unemployed, recently disabled, on strike, or locked out make their mortgage payments with interest-free loans and grants. Mortgage Assistance has provided more than $11 million to help members keep their loans current and stay in their homes.
- Award Card – Union members and their families receive a Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award card after closing on a purchase or refinance loan, $500 for buying a home or $300 for refinancing a home2
Learn more about the
Union Plus Mortgage program
And if you have a home to buy or sell, look into Union Plus Real Estate Rewards which provides discounts to union families, over 4,600 experienced, pre-screened agents nationwide, and even offers a cash-back rebate program, available in most states.
1The Union Plus® Mortgage Assistance Program is provided and administered through the AFL-CIO Mutual Benefit Plan (“The Plan”), which is not affiliated with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Additional information about this program and eligibility criteria can be obtained at www.unionplus.org//hardship-help/mortgage-assistance.
Home equity financing is not eligible for the benefits of this program. Union Plus® is a registered trademark of Union Privilege.
Information is accurate as of date of printing and is subject to change without notice.
2 Eligible individuals can receive the Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award approximately 6 weeks after closing on a new purchase or refinance loan secured by an eligible first mortgage or deed of trust with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (“New Loan”), subject to qualification, approval and closing, when identifying themselves as eligible. The My Mortgage GiftSM award is not available with any Wells Fargo Three-Step Refinance SYSTEM® program, The Relocation Mortgage Program® or to any Wells Fargo team member. Only one My Mortgage Gift award is permitted per eligible (“New Loan”). This award cannot be combined with any other award, discount or rebate, except for yourFirstMortgageSM. This award is void where prohibited, transferable, and subject to change or cancellation with no prior notice. Awards may constitute taxable income. Federal, state and local taxes, and any use of the award not otherwise specified in the Terms and Conditions provided at receipt of award are the sole responsibility of the My Mortgage GiftSM recipient.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage has a services agreement with Union Privilege in which Union Privilege receives a financial benefit for providing agreed upon services. You are encouraged to shop around to ensure you are receiving the services and loan terms that fit your home financing needs.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
© 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. 7/16
When life circumstances forced Deborah Weischedel to sell her house a couple years ago, Weischedel wanted to get into another one as quickly as possible.
A House Becomes a Home for CSEA Member
Sandra Willing of La Puente, Calif., and California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 133, rented a house for six years. But now it finally belongs to her and her husband, Richard, and thanks to the Union Plus Mortgage program, with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
The house was Richard’s mother’s house...We rented it from her all those years, and that was fine, but we really wanted to buy it. Finally, she decided to sell it to us. You really want to have something that’s yours.
Finding a house to buy is one thing. Choosing a mortgage is another — and it’s a very important decision. "Our bank mentioned that Union Plus has a great program for union members," Sandra says, "so we decided to look into it."
It wasn’t just Sandra’s union membership that made the Willings eligible for a union mortgage—Richard is a CSEA member, too. Together, they made a smart choice, because a union mortgage means much more than just getting a great rate.
It also means protection in the event of strike, lockout, layoff or disability.
"Everything went great with the mortgage process," Sandra says. "Union Plus and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage make it easy."
Now came the hard part: making the house feel like home. “Of course, we had done plenty of work on the house in the last six years, but now that we own it we really felt like it was time to make some changes,” Sandra says.
For the Willings, it’s the same address but a whole new feeling — the feeling of home ownership.
That means a sense of pride, accomplishment and excitement. "Thanks to the Union Plus Mortgage program my husband and I have a house!" Sandra says.
The Union Plus Mortgage program, with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, has provided over $40 billion in mortgages to help more than 260,000 union members and their families buy or refinance a home. It is packed with unique benefits tailored to meet the needs of active or retired union members, as well as their parents and children, who want to buy or refinance a home.
Some of the Other Benefits of the Union Plus Mortgage Program Include:
Hardship Assistance1 – Union Plus Mortgage Assistance helps members and their families who are unemployed, recently disabled, on strike, or locked out make their mortgage payments with interest-free loans and grants. Mortgage Assistance has provided more than $11 million to help members keep their loans current and stay in their homes.
Award Card – Union members and their families receive a Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award card after closing on a purchase or refinance loan.2
The Union Plus® Mortgage Assistance Program is provided and administered through the AFL-CIO Mutual Benefit Plan (“The Plan”), which is not affiliated with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Additional information about this program and eligibility criteria can be obtained at The Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program page unionplus.org/hardship-help/mortgage-assistance.
Home equity financing is not eligible for the benefits of this program. Union Plus® is a registered trademark of Union Privilege.
Information is accurate as of date of printing and is subject to change without notice.
2 Eligible individuals can receive the Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award approximately 6 weeks after closing on a new purchase or refinance loan secured by an eligible first mortgage or deed of trust with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (“New Loan”), subject to qualification, approval and closing, when identifying themselves as eligible. The My Mortgage GiftSM award is not available with any Wells Fargo Three-Step Refinance SYSTEM® program, The Relocation Mortgage Program® or to any Wells Fargo team member. Only one My Mortgage Gift award is permitted per eligible (“New Loan”). This award cannot be combined with any other award, discount or rebate, except for yourFirstMortgageSM. This award is void where prohibited, transferable, and subject to change or cancellation with no prior notice. Awards may constitute taxable income. Federal, state and local taxes, and any use of the award not otherwise specified in the Terms and Conditions provided at receipt of award are the sole responsibility of the My Mortgage GiftSM recipient.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage has a services agreement with Union Privilege in which Union Privilege receives a financial benefit for providing agreed upon services. You are encouraged to shop around to ensure you are receiving the services and loan terms that fit your home financing needs.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
© 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. 7/16
What makes a house a home? It helps to know it’s really yours!
Union Member Goes from Living in a Shelter to Buying her Own Home
After becoming a trailblazing member of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) and the recipient of Union Plus Mortgage program benefits, Watson has honored her promise and is rolling out her own "Welcome" mat as a proud homeowner.
Becoming a Proud Homeowner
Watson's pact with herself was a bold one to make considering her situation, but the fact that homeownership in the U.S. is becoming increasingly more elusive, even for middle-aged Americans who have worked in this country for years, made the challenge even more difficult.
"I'm proud to say I am a homeowner," says Watson, now 26. "I finished school [a comprehensive construction course specifically designed for women] at the top of my class, which helped me land a great job as a steam mechanic. The job, in turn, provided a great union, which offered great perks. One such perk was the prospect of obtaining a mortgage through the Union Plus Mortgage program."
The Union Plus Mortgage program, with financing available through Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, has provided $43.6 billion in mortgages to help more than 200,000 union members and their families buy or refinance a home. It is packed with unique benefits tailored to meet the needs of active or retired union members, as well as their parents and children, who want to buy or refinance a home.
Some of the Other Benefits of the Union Plus Mortgage Program Include:
- Hardship Assistance
Union Plus Mortgage Assistance helps members and their families who are unemployed, recently disabled, on strike, or locked out make their mortgage payments with interest-free loans and grants. Mortgage Assistance has provided more than $11 million to help members keep their loans current and stay in their homes.
- Award Card
Union members and their families may receive a Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award card after closing -- $500 for buying a home, or $300 for refinancing your home – for use at participating retailers.1
Making her New House a Home in New York
In addition to keeping her promise of homeownership, Watson has also managed to achieve her other goals. She works full-time, becoming the first female lead steam mechanic in the history of her local union, and takes classes in pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree.
Learning More about Member Benefits Through Union Plus
Now that she's familiar with Union Plus, Watson is eager to turn her sights on a new pursuit and check out other Union Plus benefits. In particular, she's interested in discounts on vacation packages. "I work hard and I study a lot, but I think I deserve a chance to get away," says Watson. "I'm glad Union Plus discounts help to make getaways more affordable." Thanks to Union Plus, Watson can get away, but, more importantly, she can return from that trip to a permanent safe haven: her own home.
Union Plus provides a full array of consumer discounts, services, and special programs (including educational scholarships) to enrich the lives of working families.
1Eligible individuals can receive the Wells Fargo My Mortgage GiftSM award approximately 6 weeks after closing on a new purchase or refinance loan secured by an eligible first mortgage or deed of trust with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (“New Loan”), subject to qualification, approval and closing, when identifying themselves as eligible. The My Mortgage GiftSM award is not available with any Wells Fargo Three-Step Refinance SYSTEM® program, The Relocation Mortgage Program® or to any Wells Fargo team member. Only one My Mortgage Gift award is permitted per eligible (“New Loan”). This award cannot be combined with any other award, discount or rebate, except for yourFirstMortgageSM. This award is void where prohibited, transferable, and subject to change or cancellation with no prior notice. Awards may constitute taxable income. Federal, state and local taxes, and any use of the award not otherwise specified in the Terms and Conditions (also provided at receipt of award) are the sole responsibility of the My Mortgage GiftSM recipient.
When Natassia Watson left her home in Jamaica to seek asylum in the United States, she found the only haven open to her was a New York City homeless shelter. Alone in a foreign country at age 19 without a steady job, a friend to lean on, or even a place to sleep, Watson promised herself, in the depths of despair, that she would return to school, get a good job, and attain the American Dream of homeownership.
What Union Members are Saying About the Union Plus Credit Card Program
The Union Plus Credit Card program offers several choices, all with competitive rates, U.S.-based phone customer service, and more.1 Plus, exclusive benefits and hardship grants for eligible cardholders.2 Find the card that’s right for you!
Christabel Elliott, an AFGE member says:
“I think this is a wonderful program and it is just another example of why I believe so strongly in unions…it pays in so many ways to be a union member.”
“It’s full of positive incentives that can actually be useful.”
- Carlo Martin, CSEA member
“It was a blessing to know that as an AFGE member and a Union Plus Credit Card holder, I was eligible to apply for this financial assistance.”
-Lea Cook, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) member
“I believe in word-of-mouth so I am telling everyone in my union about how great Union Plus is.”
-Jimmy Daily, 29-year Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman (BAC) member and Union Plus Credit Cardholder
“It is a good credit card.”
- Gerald Yamin, UFCW member
“People don’t have to stress as much if they know they might be able to get a Disability Grant with the Union Plus Credit Card [program]. They’re there to help you. I don’t know of any other credit card [program] that would do that.”
-Brenda Gholston, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) member
“I want every UAW member to know about Union Plus. They were there for us in a time of real need.”
-Phillip Kiskaden, United Auto Workers (UAW) member and Union Plus Credit Cardholder
“Even though I’m a union member, I’ve never really earned enough to qualify for union benefits yet, so I really appreciate the help like this through Union Plus. It makes me feel like being a union member is something to be proud of.”
-Belle Lopez, SAG-AFTRA member and Job Loss Grant recipient
"The help Union Plus provided made it an easier transition from two incomes to a single paycheck.”
- Jim Rice, UNITE HERE
“One of the best credit cards out there.”
- Jose E. Baldera, TWU member
“I think that it is a very good program for all members because it can help them in the future.”
- Denis Liburd, NATCA member
“I can’t say enough about how good it’s been to have benefits [of the Union Plus Credit Card program]. You just don’t see that on any other cards.”
-Roger Harwell, United Steelworkers (USW) member
“It…really helps to know you have a credit card that can help [eligible cardholders] when you decide to strike and protect your rights.”
-Amy Hammersmith, United Auto Workers (UAW) member
1Credit approval required. Terms and conditions apply. The Union Plus Credit Cards are issued by Capital One, N.A. pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated.
2Certain restrictions, limitations, and qualifications apply to these grants. Additional information and eligibility criteria can be obtained at UnionPlus.org/Assistance.
Union members are talking about the credit cards that put union power in their pockets.