State Agencies Bulletin No. 1993

Subject
2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Uniform Maintenance Allowance for Employees in the Fire Protection Specialist Title Series Represented by the Public Employees Federation (PEF)
Date Issued
February 3, 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services instructions for processing the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 PEF Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) Uniform Maintenance Allowance.

Affected Employees

Employees in the Fire Protection Specialist title series in the OFPC at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services who meet the eligibility criteria are affected.

Background

The OFPC Uniform Allowance Side Letter contained in the 2019-2023 Agreement between the State of New York and PEF provides for an annual maintenance allowance.

Effective Dates

The 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 PEF OFPC Uniform Maintenance Allowance may be submitted beginning Administration Pay Period 23L, paychecks dated 03/02/2022.

Eligibility Criteria

Employees in Bargaining Unit 05 on:

  • 04/01/2020 are eligible to receive the 2019-2020 PEF OFPC Uniform Maintenance Allowance,
  • 04/01/2021 are eligible to receive the 2020-2021 PEF OFPC Uniform Maintenance Allowance

Provided the employee on the above eligibility dates:

  • Had a Payroll Status of Active, Leave With Pay, or Leave of Absence with an Action/Reason code of Leave of Absence/MLS (Mil Stip); and
  • Had a Comp Rate Code of ANN or BIW (only if the employee had a Payroll Status of Leave With Pay with an Action/Reason code of Paid Leave of Absence/MLS); and
  • Worked full-time in a Fire Protection Specialist title and was required to wear a uniform; and
  • Did not receive a regular uniform service.

An employee who otherwise met the eligibility criteria but was on an authorized leave of absence with a Payroll Status of Leave of Absence (except with an Action/Reason code of Leave of Absence/MLS) on the payment eligibility date noted above and who returned by 09/30/2020 for the 2019-2020 payment or by 09/30/2021 for the 2020-2021 payment is eligible for the specified payment upon return from leave.

Agency Actions

Agencies must submit the following information on the Time Entry page or the Time Entry Interface (NPAY502) using Earnings Code UAP to pay eligible employees the PEF OFPC Uniform Maintenance Allowance:

2019-2020 PEF OFPC Uniform Maintenance Allowance

Earnings Begin Date:

04/01/2020 or the date employee returned to the payroll

Earnings End Date:

Same as Earnings Begin Date

Earn Code:

UAP

Amount:

$88.00 – full-time employees $68.00 – part-time employees

2020-2021 PEF OFPC Uniform Maintenance Allowance

Earnings Begin Date:

04/01/2021 or the date employee returned to the payroll

Earnings End Date:

Same as Earnings Begin Date

Earn Code:

UAP

Amount:

$88.00 – full-time employees $68.00 – part-time employees

Miscellaneous Payment Information

The PEF OFPC Uniform Maintenance Allowance is not pensionable and is not included in the calculation of overtime.

Tax Information

The PEF OFPC Uniform Maintenance Allowance is supplemental taxable income, will be included in the employee’s taxable gross, and is subject to all employment and income taxes.

Federal, State, and New York City income tax withholding will be calculated using the Aggregate method. Yonkers income tax withholding will be calculated using the Flat Rate method (2.30815% for Yonkers residents and 0.50% for Yonkers non-residents).

Payroll Register and Employee’s Paycheck/Advice

Earnings Code UAP and amount paid will be displayed on Payroll Register. The Earnings Description Uniform Allowance – BU05 OFPC and amount paid will appear on the employee’s paycheck stub or direct deposit advice.

Questions

Questions regarding eligibility for this payment may be directed to the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations.

Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the Payroll Earnings mailbox.