Federal Employee Assistance Programs And Free Offers In Raleigh North Carolina

During government shutdowns and financial hardships, federal employees in Raleigh, North Carolina have access to various freebies, discounts, and assistance programs offered by local businesses and organizations. These offers range from financial assistance and interest-free loans to free meals and wellness discounts. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the available resources for federal employees in the Raleigh area.

Banking and Financial Services Assistance

Several financial institutions in North Carolina have established programs to assist federal employees during periods of furlough or financial hardship. These offerings include emergency loans, fee waivers, and financial counseling services.

Bank of America

The Charlotte-based banking institution has established a dedicated assistance line for federal workers experiencing financial difficulties due to furloughs or government shutdowns. Employees can contact the bank's Client Services Support Line at 844-219-0690 to inquire about available assistance programs and support options. While specific details about the nature of assistance are not provided in the source material, the establishment of a dedicated support line indicates the bank's commitment to helping affected federal employees navigate their financial challenges during periods of uncertainty.

Democracy Federal Credit Union

According to CNN reports, Democracy Federal Credit Union has implemented measures to support federal employees facing financial hardship. The institution is offering short-term emergency loans with 0% interest rates, providing immediate relief without the burden of additional interest charges. Beyond financial assistance, the credit union has also made financial counseling services available to affected employees. These services may include budget planning, debt management strategies, and general financial guidance to help employees navigate their financial challenges during periods of reduced income or uncertainty.

First Bank

As North Carolina's largest community bank, First Bank has implemented a comprehensive assistance program for furloughed federal workers. The bank is offering 90-day, no-interest loans of up to $10,000, providing significant financial support without accruing interest during the repayment period. Notably, this assistance extends to all affected workers, regardless of whether they are existing First Bank customers, demonstrating the institution's commitment to supporting the broader federal employee community during challenging times.

Additional benefits for First Bank customers include the ability to request refunds for overdraft or account service fees incurred during the shutdown period, specifically those related to minimum or average collected balance requirements. Furthermore, the bank has implemented a skip-a-payment option for credit card holders, allowing affected customers to temporarily suspend their monthly credit card payments without penalty during the duration of the government shutdown.

First Command Financial Services

First Command Financial Services has established support for its members who are federal employees. According to CNN reports, the institution is providing interest-free payroll advances to eligible members. This service allows affected employees to access a portion of their expected earnings immediately, without incurring interest charges, helping to bridge financial gaps during periods when regular paychecks may be delayed or suspended.

Restaurant and Dining Discounts

Several dining establishments in the Raleigh area have extended offers of free meals and discounts to federal employees affected by government shutdowns. These gestures provide both immediate relief and recognition of the challenges faced by workers during periods of financial uncertainty.

Fortnight Brewery

Fortnight Brewery in Cary, North Carolina has demonstrated community support by offering free dinners to federal employees and others impacted by government shutdowns. On Friday, January 25, 2019, the brewery hosted an event where affected individuals could receive complimentary meals between the hours of 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The event was organized in partnership with AARP North Carolina, which provided the meals as part of an effort to support federal workers and gather stories about how shutdowns have affected personal finances.

Attendees were not required to be AARP members and could simply arrive at any time during the designated hours to receive a dinner ticket. The event featured an information table where attendees could learn about additional resources and had the option to join the AARP email list for future savings opportunities and information. This initiative not only provided immediate nutritional support but also created a space for affected workers to connect and share their experiences during challenging times.

Romano's Macaroni Grill

The Italian restaurant chain Romano's Macaroni Grill has extended a specific offer to furloughed government employees affected by government shutdowns. The restaurant is providing a complimentary entrée of Mom's Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti to eligible federal workers. This offer was available through January, although the exact end date is not specified in the source material. The gesture provides both nutritional support and a dining experience that offers temporary relief from the financial pressures associated with reduced or suspended income during government shutdowns.

Wellness and Other Discounts

Beyond financial assistance and dining offers, federal employees in Raleigh have access to various wellness discounts and employee benefits that can help offset costs during periods of financial hardship.

Stretch Lab Midtown Raleigh

Stretch Lab, located in Midtown Raleigh, has extended a 10% discount on all membership options to federal employees. To obtain this discount, participants must fully enroll in a StretchLab membership and honor the terms of the initial membership period and auto-renewal agreement. This includes a 90-day commitment, followed by month-to-month automatic renewal, and requires 31 days written notice to cancel membership. Interested individuals can contact the facility at (919) 285-8259 for more information about membership options and how to apply the federal employee discount.

Perks at Work/Working Advantage Discount

North Carolina State University's Office of State Human Resources offers employees the opportunity to join a free employee discount program through Perks At Work. This program, known as the Savings Center, provides access to discounts on a wide range of products, including name brand, practical, and luxury items.

To access these benefits, new users need to register using the company name "Workplace Options US" and the company code "EAP." This program represents an additional resource for federal employees to reduce expenses on everyday purchases and discretionary spending, potentially alleviating some financial pressure during periods of reduced income.

SNAP Benefits and Food Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, plays a crucial role in supporting low-income individuals and families, including some federal employees experiencing financial hardship. In North Carolina, SNAP benefits are distributed to over 600,000 households, representing approximately 1.4 million residents or 13% of the state's population.

During periods of government shutdown and uncertainty, the distribution of SNAP benefits has been subject to changes and disruptions. In one instance, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits for November, a decision that was promptly appealed by the administration. The Supreme Court subsequently granted the emergency appeal, temporarily blocking the court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments, even though residents in some states had already received the additional funds.

In North Carolina, full SNAP benefits were initially scheduled for distribution over a weekend, following the court order. However, the Trump administration's appeal led to the suspension of this distribution effort just one day after it was announced. As a result, partial November benefits were distributed to over 586,000 households in the state, providing some level of assistance but falling short of the originally intended full benefits.

This situation highlights the challenges faced by low-income individuals, including some federal employees, during periods of government uncertainty and shutdown. The disruption in SNAP benefit distribution can create additional financial stress for households already struggling with reduced or suspended income.

Conclusion

Federal employees in Raleigh, North Carolina have access to various resources and offers designed to provide relief during periods of financial hardship, particularly during government shutdowns. These resources span multiple categories, including financial services, dining, wellness, and food assistance.

Banking institutions like Bank of America, Democracy Federal Credit Union, First Bank, and First Command Financial Services have established programs that include emergency loans, fee waivers, and financial counseling services. Dining establishments such as Fortnight Brewery and Romano's Macaroni Grill have offered complimentary meals to recognize the challenges faced by furloughed workers. Additionally, wellness providers like Stretch Lab and discount programs like Perks at Work offer reduced rates to help offset expenses.

The SNAP program remains a critical resource for low-income households, though its distribution can be subject to disruption during periods of government uncertainty. These combined resources represent a network of support that can help federal employees navigate financial challenges during difficult periods.

For federal employees experiencing hardship, exploring these available resources can provide immediate relief and longer-term financial stability. By taking advantage of these offers and assistance programs, affected workers can mitigate some of the financial pressures associated with reduced income or suspended paychecks.

Sources

1. ABC11 Free Food Coverage
2. WRAL List of Businesses Helping Federal Furloughed Workers
3. WRAL Free & Discount Offers for Furloughed Federal Employees
4. NC State University Benefits and Wellness Perks
5. WLOS SNAP Benefits Paused in North Carolina