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Emergency resources from UC’s benefit plans

If you need extra assistance during a natural disaster or another emergency, please contact your plan directly. Customer service representatives will do their best to offer the help you need as quickly as possible.

Updates and resources for those impacted by the Southern California wildfires:

Replacing lost prescriptions

If you have lost an essential prescription medication, you or your pharmacy may call your pharmacy benefits administrator and request an emergency supply. You may also request a change of address for your home delivery, or a transfer to pick up your prescription at a network pharmacy.

Replacing lost documents

Experian’s member services team (855-797-0052) is available to help 24/7 to help you replace documents lost in fires or other natural disasters.

Seeking medical, dental or vision care

If your medical facility is closed due to a natural disaster, or if you have left the area and are unable to see your usual medical or dental provider, please call your plan’s customer service representative for help finding a provider near you.

Any VSP member who has lost or broken their eyewear due to the SoCal fires can call our Member Services Support Line at 800-877-7195 to have their VSP benefits reinstated regardless of eligibility.

Individuals without VSP coverage can contact their local American Red Cross chapter or shelter or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) to ask about support for replacement eyewear, which may include VSP Eyes of Hope gift certificates or an alternative solution.

The VSP website also offers 24/7 natural disaster resources.

Emotional health support

There are a number of options available to those who need emotional support coping with stress and loss caused by a natural disaster or another emergency. Please contact your Faculty and Staff Assistance Program or your behavioral health plan for a referral.  

Claims for loss of life or property, disability

If you are a UC employee impacted by an emergency situation and you have a current disability claim, Lincoln Financial may be able to support you by:

  • Exercising leniency with regard to providing notice of loss, proof of loss, medical record due dates, and appeal deadlines
  • Accepting a verbal change-of-address (with appropriate information to establish identity)
  • Offering the option to activate direct deposit for short-term disability
  • Waiving the 10-day waiting period for stop payment procedures and reissuance of benefits

Lincoln Financial will send a special email message to claimants (who have provided an email address) covering the above information and providing alternate contact information.

Prudential stands ready to assist with any life or AD&D claim issues that might need special handling of any kind.

Accessing your retirement savings for emergency expenses

If you or a family member are affected by a natural disaster or another emergency, you may be able to use some of your UC 403(b) or 457(b) Plan funds to help you with expenses and rebuilding. Please contact Fidelity Retirement Services at 866-682-7787 regarding relaxed rules for loans and hardship withdrawals for employer-sponsored retirement savings plans like UC’s.

Please refer to the Summary Plan Descriptions, or contact Fidelity, to learn more about standard loan and hardship distributions available under the 403(b) Plan PDF and unforeseeable emergency withdrawals under the 457(b) Plan PDF

Community social resources

UC has partnered with findhelp, a network of social assistance programs and resources in the U.S. that are free or offered at a reduced cost. Any UC health plan member or family member who needs support with their social, financial or physical health and well-being can use findhelp to search for resources in your community.