Furloughed Employee Resources

Furloughed Employee Resources

Below are links to resources supporting furloughed government workers, including rent, mortgage, job, and utility assistance, as well as food.  To access it, go to www.firstrising.org and select the digital resources tab; also within that tab, there is a link to findhelp.org with additional information and resources.

These new food distributions will begin the week of October 20th. To receive food, visitors will need to show a government work ID.

See below for dates, times and locations:

Tuesday

12pm-2pm No Limits Outreach Ministries: 7721 Barlowe Rd, Hyattsville, MD, 20785

Wednesday

10am – 11:30am So What Else: 6116 Executive Blvd, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Friday

11am-1pm United Community: 7511 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA 22306

11am-1:30pm Urban Outreach: 5343 C St SE, Washington, DC, 20019

Saturdays

1:00pm-2:30pm LindaBen Foundation: 10739 Tucker St Beltsville, MD 20705

Shutdown Resources for Federal Employees

Unemployment Insurance (UI):

Some employees impacted by furlough may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Note, waiting periods by state vary, and most states require that the UI benefits be repaid after retroactive pay is received.

Information for Federal Workers

General resources:

  • myfedbenefitshelp.com/shutdown-assistance-map. The Shutdown Assistance Map (SAM) was created to help federal employees affected by the government shutdown find the support they need; both locally and at the national level. Search the map to see offers of assistance and resources available to you.

Food resources: 

  • Feeding America: “Find Free Food and Groceries”.Your local food bank can help you find food today, even if you need temporary help. They partner with food pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs in your local community to give away free food.Enter your zip code to find the food bank partnering with Feeding America. They'll share the locations and hours of nearby food distributions.
  • Food Pantries of America - Welcome to FoodFinder!- You can call or text your ZIP code and get referrals to local food assistance providers (pantries, soup kitchens, etc.)  
  • WhyHunger “Find Food” / Hotline (1-800-5-HUNGRY / text zip to 1-800-548-6479) 
  • United Way / 211- Dial 211 (in most parts of the U.S.) to reach a community resource line. They maintain up-to-date local listings for food pantries, emergency food assistance, etc.
  • USDA National Hunger Hotline-1-866-348-6479 (and 1-877-842-6273 for Spanish) — offers information about food assistance programs and can help direct you to local resources

Financial Assistance Resources: 

  • FEEA.org: Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund.Offers Emergency Hardship Loans and Shutdown grants federal civilian employees in need.
  • The United States Senate Federal Credit Union is offering zero interest loans for 90-days of up to $5,000 during the shutdown.  This credit union is not just for Senate employees.  Federal employees can become a member of this credit union by becoming a member of the American Consumer Council, the US Capitol Historical Association, or the Senate Federal Credit Union Foundation and are eligible for interest free loans during the shutdown. Call 800-374-2758 for assistance.
  • The Congressional Federal Credit Union is offering zero interest Furlough Relief loans of up to $10,000 during the shutdown. You do not have to be a Congressional employee to join this credit union. Federal workers can become a member of this credit union by joining the “Friends of the National Arboretum”.  Call 800-491-2328 for assistance.
  • The Commerce Department Credit Union is offering 30-day zero interest loans for federal workers during the shutdown for up to $10,000. You do not have to be a Commerce Department employee to become a member. Anyone who joins the American Consumer Council can join this credit union. Call 888-626-9845 for assistance.
  • The Navy Federal Credit Union is offering zero interest loans of up to $6,000 to its members and other federal government employees during the shutdown. Call 888-842-6328 for assistance.
  • Army Emergency Relief provides interest-free loans equal to the amount of one paycheck, up to a maximum amount of $6,000, for soldiers and families who experience financial hardship due to a lack of pay. Call 866-878-63788 for assistance.
  • The U.S. Employees Credit Union is offering interest-free shutdown loans to eligible members. Call 312-922-5310 for assistance.
  • USAA’s Government Shutdown Program is offering no-interest loans and other payment relief options from $500 to $6,000. Call 210-531-8722 for assistance.
  • PenFed is offering zero-interest loans equal to the amount of missed paychecks for furloughed federal workers who are existing members and have their pay directly deposited to their PenFed account. Call 1-800-247-5626 for assistance.
  • Several large national banks have offered government shutdown assistance, including Bank of America, capital One, Chase, Regions Bank, TD Banks, and Wells Fargo
  •  
    • For a list of additional credit union programs click here.
    • For a list of assistance programs from banks click here.

Mental health and wellness resources 

  • wellfed offers three recurring weekly virtual programs designed to provide structure, support and momentum for professionals navigating career transitions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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