Financial Assistance & Relief Programs

Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA): Emergency hardship loans. 

2025 Shutdown Assistance Map (SAM) - Resources for Federal Workers

Credit Unions: 0% APR loans, deferred payments. 

• USAA- Government Shutdown Loan Program for eligible members (0% APR, deferred payments).
• Navy Federal - Special 0% APR loans and deferred payment options for qualified members.
• Congressional Federal Credit Union: Furlough Relief Loan up to $10,000 for eligible members.
• U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU): 0% APR for 90 days, up to $5,000 for qualifying federal employees. 
• The U.S. Employees Credit Union is offering interest-free shutdown loans to eligible members. Call 312-922-5310 for assistance.

Major Banks: Payment Deferrals, Fee Waivers. 

• Chase Bank: Customer hardship line for mortgages, credit cards, and auto and business loans.
• Bank of America: Priority assistance line for furloughed employees: payment deferrals & fee waivers. Call 844-219-0691.
• Hyundai Motor Finance and Kia Motors Finance: Thirty-day deferred auto-loan/lease payments for affected employees. Call Hyundai at 800-523-4030; Kia at 866-331-5632.
• Toyota Financial & Lexus Financial Services: Payment extensions up to two months for qualified customers. Call Toyota pay 800-874-8822; Lexus at 800-874-7050.
• AT&T, Verizon,T-Mobile, Sprint: Payment extensions, fee waivers, short-term payment plans. Contact: AT&T 611; Verizon 866-266-1445; T-Mobile 877-746-0909; Sprint 888-211-4747

  Local DMV Area Support

• Capital Area Food Bank: Free food distributions for federal workers.  
• Maryland Shutdown Loan Program: $700 no-interest loans for working federal employees.
• Utility Companies: Bill assistance and suspension of disconnections.

Job Placement & Retraining Services

• American Job Centers: Offer job search assistance, resume help, and retraining programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Find your local center via CareerOneStop. 
• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA): For workers laid off due to foreign trade impacts.
• Maryland Department of Labor: Provides WARN notices, rapid response services, and virtual workshops for laid-off federal workers. 
• FedLayoffs.com: A centralized hub for job listings, legal help, and career planning for federal employees affected by layoffs.  

Mental Health & Counseling Support

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Confidential counseling and support services available through your agency. Learn more via OPM’s Mental Health & Wellness page.  
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 free support.  
• Empower Work: Offers free, confidential counseling for professionals navigating career transitions. 
• Justice Connection & Wellfed: Provide virtual mental health programs and support groups for furloughed workers.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides an anonymous resource for people seeking mental health and substance use treatment.