UAW Trust OTC Benefit uawtrust.org/otcbenefit

UAW Trust OTC Benefit is a health benefit that provides eligible UAW Trust members with a dedicated allowance to purchase approved over-the-counter healthcare items throughout the year. This benefit is designed to help retirees and qualified dependents manage everyday medical needs by reducing out-of-pocket costs for commonly used products such as pain relievers, cold and allergy medications, vitamins, and personal care supplies.

What Is the UAW Trust OTC Benefit?

The UAW Trust OTC benefit is an over-the-counter health benefit provided by the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust that gives eligible members an annual allowance to spend on approved health and wellness products (non-prescription items listed in the Trust’s OTC catalog). The benefit is “use it or lose it”: you must use the full allowance by December 31, and unused funds do not carry over into the next year.

Members use a Trust-issued OTC “flex card” (pre-loaded with the annual allowance) to pay for eligible items. The Trust’s materials explain you can shop in three ways: at participating retailers where the OTC Network logo is accepted (the Trust newsletter references 68,000+ retailers), through the Trust’s OTC portal, or by phone using the product catalog.

Benefit availability follows the plan-year schedule: the annual allowance is available on January 1 for existing Trust members (or the beginning of the month you become eligible if you are new).

How Much is the UAW Trust OTC Benefit Amount?

For 2026, the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust sets the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Benefit annual allowance at $400 per member, effective January 1, 2026.

The allowance is available annually and is loaded on January 1 for existing Trust members (or at the beginning of the month you become eligible if you’re new). The full amount must be used by December 31, and unused OTC funds do not carry over into the next year.

(important): Several non-official sites describe the UAW Trust OTC benefit as a “quarterly allowance.” The Trust’s official 2026 materials describe it as an annual allowance.

How Often do you Receive the OTC Benefit?

For UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust members, the OTC benefit is provided as an annual allowance—it becomes available once per calendar year. For existing members, the full year’s allowance is available on January 1. If you become newly eligible during the year, your allowance becomes available at the beginning of the month you become eligible.

Your available OTC benefit balance must be used by December 31, and unused amounts do not carry over into the next year.

The UAW Trust OTC benefit amount can change by plan year (for example, Trust materials note an increase for 2025), so the most reliable way to confirm your current year allowance is the Trust’s official member communications and catalog for that year.

How to Check UAW Trust OTC Benefit Balance

To check your UAW Trust OTC benefit balance, you must access the official UAW Trust OTC member portal designed for benefit management. The most reliable way to view your current balance, transaction history, and remaining allowance is by signing into the official OTC benefit site provided by the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust.

Here’s how you can check your balance step by step:

1. Visit the UAW Trust OTC Benefit login page on the UAW Trust website.
   This portal is dedicated to managing your OTC allowance, ordering eligible products, and reviewing your balance.
2. Enter your login credentials (username and password) provided by the UAW Trust.
   If you are logging in for the first time, you may be prompted to update your password for security.
3. Navigate to your benefit dashboard, where you will see your current OTC benefit balance displayed.
   The dashboard typically shows the total available funds, your transactions, and any pending orders.
4. Review your transaction history to track how your balance has been used and what remains available.
   This helps you plan future purchases and ensures you do not exceed your allowance.

In addition to the online portal, you can also check your balance by calling the UAW Trust OTC customer service line at the number listed on your benefit card or in the catalog instructions (for example, 1-844-487-2770). Customer service can provide your current balance and assist with account questions if you encounter login issues.

Does the UAW Trust OTC Benefit Expire

Yes. The UAW Trust OTC benefit is time-limited and must be used within the calendar year. The official UAW Trust OTC catalog states that eligible members have an annual allowance and you must use your full amount before December 31; any unused amount does not carry over into the next year.

This means your OTC benefit balance effectively “resets” after December 31. To avoid losing any remaining funds, plan purchases ahead of year-end and confirm items are eligible by checking the current catalog.

Does the OTC Benefit Roll Over to Next Year

No. For the UAW Trust OTC program, unused OTC benefit funds do not carry over into the next calendar year. The benefit is provided as an annual allowance, and you must use the full amount by December 31; any remaining balance expires at year-end.

What Can You Buy with the UAW Trust OTC Benefit?

The UAW Trust OTC benefit can be used to purchase approved OTC benefit eligible products listed in the official UAW Trust OTC Catalog. These products are grouped into clear categories to help members easily find what they need.

Pain Relief Medications

Includes common non-prescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, topical pain relief creams, and patches. These items are among the most frequently purchased OTC products by UAW Trust members.

Cold, Flu, and Allergy Medications

Covers cough syrups, decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays, throat lozenges, and combination cold and flu treatments intended for short-term symptom relief.

Vitamins and Dietary Supplements

Includes multivitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and other basic nutritional supplements that appear in the approved catalog.

Digestive Health Products

Covers antacids, acid reducers, laxatives, anti-diarrheal medications, fiber supplements, and probiotics listed as eligible OTC items.

First Aid Supplies

Includes bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointments, gloves, and other basic first aid essentials.

Oral Care Products

Covers toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, denture care products, and oral rinses included in the OTC catalog.

Personal Care and Hygiene Items

Includes items such as hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, incontinence supplies, and feminine hygiene products when listed as eligible.

Medical Devices and Home Health Items

Some catalog editions include thermometers, blood pressure monitors, hot and cold packs, braces, supports, and other basic home health devices.

Where Can You Use the UAW Trust OTC Benefit?

Members can use their UAW Trust OTC benefit to purchase eligible over-the-counter health and wellness products at participating retail locations and through approved ordering channels. These benefits are tied to the official UAW Trust OTC Benefits catalog and must be used on items listed as covered.

In-Store Purchases
You can use your OTC card at thousands of physical retail locations across the United States where the OTC Network logo is displayed. One of the primary participating retailers is CVS Pharmacy®, with more than 7,000 CVS store locations nationwide where eligible OTC purchases can be made by simply swiping your benefit card at checkout.

Online Ordering
The UAW Trust OTC benefit can also be used to shop for covered products through the official benefit portal:

• Visit UAWTrust.org/otcbenefit and create or log into your account.
• Browse available items from the UAW Trust OTC Catalog online.
• Place your order and complete payment using your OTC card.
  This allows members to have eligible products shipped directly to their homes.

By Phone
Members who prefer not to shop online or in person can place orders by phone. A dedicated number is provided in the OTC materials, where a representative can assist with selecting eligible products and completing the order using your OTC card.

Why UAW Trust OTC Benefit was Declined?

When a UAW Trust OTC benefit purchase is declined, it is not a random system error it almost always relates to eligibility, benefit balance, or product eligibility rules established by the program. The OTC benefit works through a preloaded allowance that can only be used for approved items and while eligibility is active.

1. Eligibility No Longer Active
If the Trust’s records show that you are no longer eligible for the benefit — for example due to an incorrect date of birth, address mismatch, or loss of Trust benefit eligibility — purchases will be declined at the point of sale. This is one of the primary reasons transactions fail, because your Trust eligibility drives your access to the OTC allowance.

2. OTC Card Not Activated
The OTC benefit card must be activated before its balance is available for purchases. If activation hasn’t been completed, the card will be declined even if funds are present on your account. Activation is required for both in-store and online use.

3. Insufficient Benefit Balance
Each member receives a set annual or quarterly allowance. If your purchase exceeds your current available balance, the transaction will be declined. Checking your balance before placing an order helps avoid this issue.

4. Item Not Eligible Under the OTC Program
The UAW Trust OTC benefit only covers products listed in the official OTC catalog. Purchases of items that are not on the approved list even if they seem health-related will be declined at checkout. Always verify eligibility using the catalog or scanning tools before purchase.

5. Trust Data Mismatch
If the personal information in the Trust’s system (such as name, date of birth, or address) does not match the information used at the time of purchase, the benefit may be declined because the system can’t verify eligibility.

How to Maximize your OTC benefit Allowance?

1. Know the deadline and use the full allowance
   Your OTC benefit is an annual allowance and you must use it before December 31. Unused amounts do not carry over into the next year.
2. Check your available balance before you shop
   Check your OTC benefit balance by signing in at the official Trust portal (uawtrust.org/otcbenefit) or by calling 1-844-487-2770 (TTY: 711). This prevents declined purchases and helps you plan an order that uses your remaining amount efficiently.
3. Use the catalog the “fast” way (SKU numbers)
   The official OTC catalog includes SKU numbers you can use on CVS.com to confirm item details and images before ordering. This speeds up shopping and helps you avoid choosing non-matching items.
4. Place fewer, smarter orders (avoid leftover cents)
   Because you cannot exceed your benefit amount when ordering online or by phone, build your cart around your remaining balance and adjust quantities to use as much of your allowance as possible without going over.
5. Order early enough to avoid end-of-year congestion
   The program ships orders to your home (UPS) at no cost. Delivery is typically within 5 business days, and if an order hasn’t arrived within 14 days, you’re instructed to call support. Ordering earlier in the year helps ensure you receive what you need before the December 31 cutoff.

UAW Trust HRA Benefit

The UAW Trust HRA Benefit is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) funded by the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust to help eligible retirees pay for out-of-pocket healthcare costs. It is separate from the UAW Trust OTC benefit and covers a broader range of expenses that traditional insurance does not fully pay.

How the HRA Works?

The HRA is an employer-funded reimbursement account that the Trust owns and funds up to a set annual limit. Members do not contribute to the account; instead, the Trust provides the funds and members incur eligible healthcare expenses, then get reimbursed up to the benefit amount.

Each eligible contract holder (retiree or surviving spouse) receives one HRA account per household for the year. Dependents can use the funds, but they do not receive separate HRA accounts.

For 2025, the annual HRA benefit amount announced by the Trust is $600. The debit cards mailed to members are reloaded yearly while the benefit remains in place.

Eligible Expenses Covered by the HRA

The UAW Trust HRA Benefit reimburses qualified out-of-pocket healthcare costs that are not fully paid by your health plan or other sources (like Medicare). Eligible categories include:

• Medical expenses: doctor copays, coinsurance, deductibles, ambulance services, chiropractic care, lab fees, prosthetics.
• Dental: cleanings, crowns, dentures, fillings, orthodontics.
• Vision: eye exams, prescription glasses and sunglasses, contact lenses, eye drops, refractions.
• Prescription drugs: costs not covered by your drug plan.
• Medicare premiums (Part A, B, or D), including IRMAA payments (must be claimed via form, not debit card).
• Hearing aids and related costs.
• Transportation costs to medical appointments.

The list of qualified expenses follows IRS Publication 502 guidelines. Members must save and submit receipts when required, as some debit card transactions may prompt documentation requests.

How to Use the UAW Trust HRA Benefit?

Debit Card: Members receive a WEX HRA debit card in the mail. Once activated, it can be used like a normal card at eligible medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and certain retail locations. The funds are drawn directly from the HRA account when used correctly.

Online & Paper Claims: If you pay out-of-pocket instead of using the debit card, you can submit a reimbursement claim online through the WEX portal or via mail/email using the WEX claim form.

Direct Deposit: Members can set up direct deposit for faster reimbursement payments instead of receiving checks.