Government Shutdown Resources

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Status of Resources

Government Shutdown Status of Resources

FY2026 Government Shutdown Roadmap - J9

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J9 - Government Shutdown Resources

FY2026 Government Shutdown Resources - J9

Resources for Furloughed Workers

Financial Assistance

Financial Readiness Tool: Spending Plan Worksheet
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into non-pay status. They do not require documentation about your furlough currently. Missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to go into default. Log in to your account to check your status or simply call the Thrift Line at 1-877-968-3778.
TSP In-Service Withdrawal: In-service withdrawals are withdrawals you take from your TSP account while you’re still employed in a TSP-eligible position. These types of withdrawals are available to active participants who meet certain criteria, depending on the type of withdrawal. They do not charge a fee for making an in-service withdrawal. There are three types of in-service withdrawal’s which are financial hardship withdrawal, Age 59 ½ withdrawal, and Spouses’ rights for withdrawal.
Air Force Aid Society (AFAS): The Air Force Aid Society provides financial assistance to Air Force families (Active, Guard, and Reserve) when unexpected financial emergencies arise. With no-interest loans and grants, these financial assistance programs help meet immediate financial emergency needs and help make a positive step toward a lasting financial solution. A budget is required, and payments are made directly to the Servicemember via Zelle or Bank ACH transfer.
National Guard Relief Foundation (We Care For America Foundation): The National Guard Relief Foundation is providing financial relief and essential resources to Guard members and their families. Assistance is available through Soldier and Airmen Grants for Emergencies (SARGE) and Interest-Free Loans.

Government Shutdown Programs - Various Financial Institutions

Many banks and credit unions offer pay advances, zero-interest loans, and deferred payment programs to help cover essential expenses during pay delays. Availability and terms vary by institution. Contact your bank or credit union directly to determine your eligibility and available assistance options.

America First Credit Union (AFCU): AFCU is currently offering dedicated furlough assistance options to help ease financial stress and provide stability. There is no FICO qualification requirement - they just need an AFCU account to house the loan. If they don’t have one, we can provide one at the same time. 1-800-999-3961 or 1-877-AFCU-HOY if they need Spanish.
Bank of America: Bank of America announced assistance available to furloughed Federal employees. Call the priority assistance line 844.219.0690.
Chase Bank: Chase announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. Dedicated shutdown assistance line 1-888-356-0023.
Congressional Federal Credit Union (CFCU): For more information on the Relief Line of Credit or any of their assistance programs, contact the Member Service Representatives at 800-491-2328 or stop by one of the branch locations.
Fed Choice: Fed Choice is offering different options to assist existing and new members.
Interior Federal Credit Union (IFCU): IFCU is offering a special loan for both member and non-member furloughed Federal workers. Net paycheck up to $15,000, interest-free up to 30 days. Members may apply for a limit up to the equivalent of 2 net paychecks. More offers are available on the site or call 800-914-8619.
Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU): NFCU is offering a special loan program. Read the FAQs PDF from this link to see if you qualify or call 1-888-842-6328.
PayPal: PayPal has made a very generous offer. They’ve allocated $25 million to fund interest-free cash advances to our furloughed Federal workers who need assistance right now. This is for both new and existing PayPal Credit customers. Minimum loan is $250 with a maximum cash advance of $500. Your account does need to be in good standing if you’re an existing PayPal Credit customer. Existing customers call 1-877-689-1975. For new accounts, apply here first, then after approval, call 1-877-689-1975.
PenFed Credit Union: PenFed Credit Union offers relief for federal employees affected by furloughs. Members with direct deposit into a PenFed account may qualify for a zero-interest pay advance. PenFed also provides options to skip a month’s payment on qualifying loans (excluding first mortgages and HELOCs) and offers flexible assistance for home loans, including payment deferrals, forbearance, or loan modifications. For members without direct deposit, low-rate personal loans may still be available.
SunTrust (Truist): SunTrust didn’t make a specific offer, but they did make a public announcement that they have programs in place to help clients affected by the shutdown.
Synchrony Bank: Synchrony Bank is allowing affected customers to defer payments until after the shutdown. Contact them for more information.
Union Plus: For union members, there are a number of options available. Call them at 800-472-2005 to ask about these offers: $300 Furlough Grant for eligible Union Plus credit card holders, Mortgage Assistance Loan & $300 Grant: payment grace period for your Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance, payment grace period for Union Plus Auto Insurance, and payment grace period for Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance.
USAA: USAA is offering deferments for all loans and credit card payments.
U.S. Bank: U.S. Bank will waive all late fees if you miss a mortgage payment due to the shutdown. Also mentioned they will defer first payment dates for new mortgages.
U.S. Employees Credit Union (USECU): USECU is also offering shutdown loans, but only until Tuesday, January 15th. Call 312-922-5310 to get help.
Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo has a few different options to help depending on the services you have with their bank.

Automobile Finance Companies

Toyota Financial Services & Lexus Financial Services: Affected lease and finance customers in good standing with their accounts may be eligible to take advantage of up to two months of finance contract payment extensions or lease deferred payments. Toyota Financial Services call 800-874-8822 and Lexus Financial Services call 800-874-7050.
Hyundai Capital: Hyundai will extend all Hyundai Capital auto loans and lease payments for 30 days for current Hyundai owners who are federal government employees furloughed during the shutdown. Impacted consumers should contact Hyundai Motor Finance at 1-800-523-4030 to take advantage of this offer.
Kia Motors Finance: Kia has announced they’re offering deferred payments of 30 days. If you’ve been affected by the current Government Shutdown and need assistance from Kia Finance, please contact us at 1-866-331-5632.
Ford Credit, GM Financial, & Mercedes-Benz Financial Services: It has been reported that these companies are among those providing qualified customers options such as payment deferrals, late fee waivers and special care lines to address their individual problems, though official announcements from these companies have not been released online.

Mobile Telephone Service Providers

AT&T: Will assist with adjusting late fees, providing extensions, and revising payment schedules.
Sprint: Will provide short-term payment solutions. Call 1-888-211-4747.
T-Mobile: Offering short-term assistance and can spread out service payments over time. Call 1-877-746-0909 or 611 from a T-Mobile device.
Verizon: Offering flexible payment options and has a Promise to Pay program to set payments for a future date. Call 1-866-266-1445.

Rental Home Assistance

National Rental Home Council: Represents many of the nation’s largest operators of single-family rental homes. They’re offering deferred rent payment options with no late fees to any renter who has been furloughed.
OPM Sample Letters for Creditors and Mortgage Companies: OPM created these sample letters for Federal workers to contact their landlords, mortgage lenders, and utilities, to request help during the shutdown.

National Food Resources & Advice

Feeding America: They are a nationwide network of 200 food banks. From those food banks, they have 60,000 partner pantries from which they can serve every community across the United States. They have already begun serving Federal employees affected by the government shutdown.
Your School District: To save on food and ensure your kid eats breakfast and/or lunch free (less stress and worry for you), notify the district of your furlough. No income is an emergency and normally qualifies you for the free meal program.
Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN): MFAN is providing immediate assistance to eligible military families.

Home, Auto, Medical, & Life Insurance Relief

MetLife: For those not receiving a paycheck from the federal government because of the current shutdown, MetLife Auto & Home may grant a one-time, 30-day grace period on your payment of premium on a MetLife Auto & Home policy. Members must request this one-time allowance by calling 1-800-GET-MET8. Certain restrictions apply, and premium remains due after delay expires.
Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company: To help the nearly 27,000 AFGE members who currently have a policy with the company during this government shutdown, the company “will keep the policy-in-force by waving the cost of insurance charges for the next 30 days.”. Policies beginning with the letter "Y" call: 844-800-9146, all other policies call: 888-513-8797.
TriCare: During the current lapse in government appropriations, you may continue to get care or attend currently scheduled appointments with your civilian providers. Your usual out-ofpocket costs will apply. You may also continue to fill prescriptions at military pharmacies, retail network pharmacies, and home delivery. However, TRICARE may not be able to process or pay medical claims received on or after 01 October 2025, until funding is restored.

Other Notable Mentions for Relief & Assistance

Rent-A-Center (Benefits Plus Membership): If your account was up to date at the time of furlough and you are a part of benefits plus you may be eligible for a payment waiver based on your state: “Involuntary Unemployment Payment Waiver: Losing a job is hard and making payments while unemployed is even harder. Fortunately, your Membership waives your payments when you are involuntarily unemployed. Whether you were fired, laid off, suspended, or are out of work due to a labor dispute or strike, your payments are covered for up to four (4) months, up to $1,000, or when you’re able to return to work.”furloughed.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Their fact sheet states that federal employees may be eligible for unemployment compensation administered by state unemployment insurance agencies. So, eligibility is determined by state law, not on the Federal level, which may work in your favor.