Update 1/23/19: As promised this page is being kept up to date. We’ve added a number of new resources, if you see anything that is missing please let us know in the comments below.
As the government shut down continues I thought it would be useful to put together a resource page for Furloughed Federal Workers. A lot of companies are offering assistance.
Financial
Most financial institutions are offering some type of assistance for government workers. OPM has also provided some sample letters that can be sent out. More information on those found in this tweet.
Major financial institutions:
- Bank of America. Customers can call or schedule an appointment for ‘personalized assistance’ although it’s not clear what that assistance entails.
- Capital One. Says assistance will be provided, but not clear what this assistance actually entails.
- Chase. Call the Chase’s hardship program. They will be waiving or refunding late fees, extending payments on car loans and leases and protecting credit histories by not reporting late payments and the like. In addition since December 24th Chase has been automatically waiving and refunding overdraft and monthly service fees on deposit accounts if an employee’s salary from an affected federal agency was direct deposited into the account in November, 2018.
- Citibank. Monthly service and overdraft fees are being automatically refunded or waived for federal employees with their salary being deposited into a Citibank account. Cardholders will also qualify for refunds, waivers of late fees, interest charge waivers, credit linit increases as well as collection forbearance and settlement programs.
- Discover. Discover customers are encouraged to call in to receive assistance, assistance is on a case by case basis but readers report receiving having late fees and interest fees reversed as well as having the option to skip payments until the shut down is over. No dedicated line has been set up.
- Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU). Interest free loans of up to $6,000 are being provided. The loan amount is calculated based on the most recent direct deposit of government pay you received, so having a deposit account with your government pay deposited into that NFCU account will be necessary. No credit check is done either which is fantastic. They will also be providing additional assistance.
- PenFed. They are offering customers the ability to skip payment for January, they are also offering a loan product with a 2% discount. Finally they are also offering a interest free loan of up to $6,000 if your payroll is deposited into your PenFed account.
- USAA. USAA is offering a special loan product and additional assistance to those affected.
- U.S. Bank. Offering a new low-rate quick loan product in addition to their standard assistance programs (unclear what these exactly are). When they say low rate, they mean it. The rate is 0.01% APY and loans range from $100 to $6,000, there is also a 12 month term.
- Wells Fargo. Dedicated phone line has been set up, they are automatically reversing monthly service and overdraft fees on deposit accounts. For loans they are also reversing and waiving late fees. It looks like interest will still be charged as normal, although it is recommended you contact Wells Fargo directly as they will be assessing cases on a case by case basis.
Smaller institutions/issuers:
- Ally. Let somebody break a 12 month CD with no fees.
- Andrews FCU. Up to $5,000 for 6 months
- BB&T. Case by case basis
- NASA FCU: Up to $10,000, interest free for 60 days
- Northwest Federal CU. 6 month 0% loan up to a month’s salary.
- PayPal. $500 interest free cash advance from PayPal. Looks like this will still do a hard pull on your credit.
- PNC. PNC will waive certain fees for customers that call in, it’s not clear what these fees are or if any other assistance will be provided.
- TD Bank. Can access up to $1,000 in additional funds with no overdraft fees or cost. They are also offering late fee refunds on most TD Bank credit cards and some loan assistance programs as well.
- WAEPA. Premiums for January has been refunded to all members, even if you’re not a government employee.
Food/Drinks
- Macaroni Grill is offering all employees a free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti. Valid through 1/23/19 or until government shut down ends. Valid 11am – 4pm, not valid at airport or international locations. This can be used once per day.
- #ChefsForFeds. Looks like a lot of different Chefs are offering free meals under this banner.
- Pay It Furloughed. Users can offer to pay it forward and offer federal employees a free beer, federal employees can enjoy these free beers.
- Capital One Cafes. Free Peet’s drip coffee when you show your government ID.
Great Harvest Bread Co. They have created shutdown shelves, offering free bread to federal employees. - Ruby Slipper Cafe. Free beverage and entree for you and your immediate family.
- Food Banks. Many people are making additional donations to food banks to help government employees during this difficult time. Please do not feel bad about using these resources as again people are making specific donations because of this. In addition if you feel it necessary you can always make your own donations once the government shut down ends.
- Free food opportunities. We maintain a general list of companies offering free food to everybody here.
Location specific:
- Yelp San Diego. Free lunch on 1/23/19
- Kraft Now, Pay Later (D.C.) . Pop up grocery store found at 1287 4th Street NE. Was supposed to end on the 20th, but has now been extended until the 27th.
- Whole Foods. Free spaghetti dinners every Thursday. Valid from 5PM to 7:30PM. Looks to be available at some D.C., Virginia & Maryland locations. More information here.
- Seminole Coconut Creek Casino (South Florida Area). Free lunch at Fresh Harvest or dinner at Sorrisi now until 1/31/19. Lunch is available Monday to Friday between 11am and 4pm, maximum value is $19 per person or $38 per couple. Dinner is available Sunday/Wednesday/Thursday 5pm to 10pm, maximum value of $40 per person or $80 per couple. Lunch offer can be done up to 5 times a week, dinner offer is once per week.
- JBJ Soul Kitchen, Red Bank New Jersey. Free meal from 12-2PM, they will also be helping federal workers to locate additional support and resources in the local area.
- Most DC Area Colleges are offering free basketball tickets.
- The Met is offering free tickets to all performances from January 19th until January 31st, 2019.
Entertainment
- Harlem Globetrotters. Two free tickets to 2019 Fan Powered North American tour. To get the tickets you need to show your valid government ID at your local box office.
- Select Museums. Free admission during the shut down.
Location specific:
- Fredericksburg, Virginia only. Access to free ‘anger room’ where you can break stuff.
Misc
- Daily Burn. 100 days of free workouts, after that period get 50% off the next 12 months.
- GEICO. No premiums until government restarts, pay back once backpay goes through.
- Notarize. Free notarization is you sign up using a .gov e-mail address.
- Rosetta Stone. Three month online subscription.
- Tanger Outlets. Free $20 gift card.
Final Thoughts
As interested as I am in moderating a political discussion in the comments the aim of this post is to help those who need it. Please keep the comments to adding additional information that might be helpful (e.g more resource links) and not your personal political beliefs. For furloughed employees it would be greatly useful if you’re able to provide actual experience with using any of the assistance mention on this page, often there can be a discrepancy between what is promised and what is delivered. For those not affected please pass this onto any affected friends/family you know of or spread the word by retweeting this on Twitter.
