Federal Employee Relief Programs And Discounts During Government Shutdowns

During government shutdowns, federal employees face significant financial uncertainty as they navigate furloughs without regular paychecks. While back pay is often provided after funding is restored, the period without income creates immediate hardships. Various organizations and businesses have established relief programs specifically for affected federal workers, including discounts, financial assistance, and legal protections. This article examines the resources available to furloughed federal employees during shutdowns, drawing from verified sources and official programs.

Restaurant and Business Discounts

Several businesses across the United States have recognized the financial challenges faced by federal workers during shutdowns and have implemented special offers and discounts to provide relief.

Restaurant chains have been particularly responsive to the needs of furloughed government employees. For example:

• &pizza, a Washington, D.C.-based chain, offers federal workers 30% off their orders during shutdown periods. The discount is available at more than 80 U.S. locations, excluding Atlanta airport locations, which have separate arrangements for TSA employees. Eligible workers must present valid federal employee identification to receive the discount.

• Compass Coffee, also founded in Washington, D.C., provides complimentary pastries to federal workers who purchase any drink during shutdowns. The offer requires presentation of a valid government ID when ordering.

• Hard Rock Cafe's Washington D.C. location implements special offers throughout shutdown periods, including all-day Happy Hour pricing with $3 domestic drafts, $6 single well liquor, $5 select wines, and food deals starting at $8, with entrées priced at $12. This offer is available in the bar and lounge only and requires presentation of government identification.

• Ruby Slipper Ruby Sunshine, a New Orleans-founded restaurant chain, offers furloughed government employees a free entrée valued up to $20 at all 26 locations across the southern United States. The promotion runs from October 13 through October 31 and requires presentation of valid government identification.

• Thompson Restaurants, which operates multiple establishments including Matchbox, Milk & Honey, Makers Union, and Hen Quarter in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., provides a 20% discount to all government employees who dine at these locations during shutdowns.

These restaurant discounts provide immediate relief by reducing daily expenses for furloughed workers and their families. The offers vary by location and duration, so affected employees should check with individual establishments for current promotions and eligibility requirements.

Financial Assistance Programs

Beyond retail discounts, numerous financial institutions and organizations have established specialized assistance programs to help federal employees navigate the financial challenges of a shutdown.

PayPal has allocated $25 million to fund interest-free cash advances for furloughed federal workers. This program is available to both new and existing PayPal Credit customers, with minimum loan amounts of $250 and maximum cash advances of $500. Existing customers with accounts in good standing can call 1.877.689.1975 to request assistance, while new customers must first apply for a PayPal Credit account and then call the same number after approval.

Navy Federal Credit Union has implemented a special loan program for affected federal workers. Eligible individuals can review the program details and frequently asked questions in a downloadable PDF on the Navy Federal website or call 1.888.842.6328 for more information.

U.S. Bank has announced that it will waive all late fees for mortgage payments missed due to a shutdown. Additionally, the bank has indicated that it will defer first payment dates for new mortgages originated during the shutdown period.

U.S. Employees Credit Union (USECU) has established shutdown loans available until January 15. Affected federal employees can call 312.922.5310 to inquire about eligibility and application procedures.

SunTrust has implemented programs specifically designed to assist clients affected by government shutdowns, though specific details require direct consultation with the institution.

Synchrony Bank, which manages store credit cards for numerous major retailers including Amazon, Lowe's, Walmart, JCPenney, and Chevron/Texaco, has announced that it will allow affected customers to defer payments until after the shutdown concludes. Individuals should contact Synchrony directly for more information about deferring payments on their specific accounts.

Union Plus has developed multiple options for union members affected by shutdowns, though specific program details require consultation with the organization.

The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) offers limited emergency assistance to federal employees experiencing financial hardship. Recently, FEEA has been forced to suspend offering no-interest loans due to the overwhelming volume of applications. The organization has indicated that it will retain applications it is currently unable to process for future evaluation when its financial situation improves. FEEA continues to provide no-interest emergency loans to federal employees who meet its general guidelines for financial need, which require that applicants be experiencing trouble paying for basic living needs like rent/mortgage or utilities due to emergency circumstances beyond their control that have created a significant drop in income or considerable increase in expenses. Furloughed employees may still apply if they have other life circumstances beyond furloughs that have contributed to their financial hardship.

Unemployment Benefits

Furloughed federal employees are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits during shutdown periods. The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) strongly recommends that all furloughed federal workers apply for unemployment benefits immediately, as there may be state-specific requirements and time-sensitive deadlines.

The Department of Labor (DOL) provides specific information for furloughed federal workers regarding Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE). This program is designed to assist federal workers who experience involuntary separation from employment without fault, which includes furloughs due to lapses in appropriations.

In addition to the federal UCFE program, state unemployment insurance benefits may also be available to affected workers. The DOL maintains an interactive map to help individuals locate their state unemployment insurance agency.

Affected workers should be aware that while the U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to provide back pay for furloughed federal workers once a shutdown ends, such legislation is not guaranteed to pass the Senate and should not be relied upon as a sole source of financial support during the furlough period.

Housing Protections

Furloughed federal employees facing housing instability may have legal protections against eviction and foreclosure during a shutdown. According to statute, involuntarily furloughed federal, state, or local government employees at risk of eviction or foreclosure can request that the court temporarily pause these proceedings.

These housing protections apply specifically to federal employees, not federal contractors. To be eligible for these protections, a federal employee must:

1. Be a current federal government employee
2. Currently live in the property at risk of eviction or foreclosure
3. Be unpaid during the shutdown
4. Appear at any scheduled court hearing and request that the judge pause the eviction or foreclosure

Federal employees may be asked to provide evidence of their employment status and furlough status. Acceptable evidence could include: - A federal government ID badge - The most recent paystub - An email or letter confirming the furlough status

The court will determine how long is reasonable to pause the eviction or foreclosure proceedings. Affected employees should consult with legal professionals or housing advocates for guidance on presenting their case in court.

The Maryland Assistance Program (MAP) offers specialized supports and resources for affected workers, including information about housing protections. Individuals can connect with MAP by calling 1-844-MAP-LINK or visiting their website for more details.

Conclusion

During government shutdowns, federal employees face significant financial uncertainty due to furloughs without regular paychecks. However, various resources and programs are available to provide relief during these challenging periods. Restaurant and business discounts offer immediate savings on daily expenses, while financial assistance programs from institutions like PayPal, Navy Federal Credit Union, and U.S. Bank provide more substantial support through loans and fee waivers. Unemployment benefits offer a crucial financial safety net, and housing protections help prevent displacement during extended furloughs.

Federal employees affected by shutdowns should proactively explore all available resources and assistance programs. While back pay is often provided after funding is restored, the period without income creates immediate hardships that these programs are designed to address. By taking advantage of the discounts and assistance options available, furloughed federal workers can better navigate the financial challenges of a government shutdown.

Sources

1. Department of Homeland Security Employee Resources
2. National Federation of Federal Employees Guidance
3. USA Today: Government Shutdown Freebies
4. Maryland Assistance Program for Federal Public Servants
5. VFW: Companies Offering Relief Amid Shutdown