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

National Announcements

Here is a list of assistance programs recently created to help Federal workers at the national level. There are other programs available, or currently in development, which may not have been made public yet, so it's worth reaching out to your credit card providers, lenders, utilities, and other service providers to see if they have special programs for Federal employees affected by the shutdown. Be sure to contact them before your payment is due or before late fees are assessed.

If you know of other announcements that are not listed below, please be sure to reach out to us on our Facebook page or simply use the “Add A Listing” button at the top to send us a link to the announcement.

Financial Assistance Announcements

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Air Force Aid Society (AFAS): AFAS is offering zero-interest loans to Airmen, Guardians, and their families affected by the 2025 government shutdown. Assistance is available for basic living expenses such as mortgage/rent, food, gas, and utilities if paycheck protection is not available from financial institutions. Loans are interest-free and repaid within 30 days after receiving back pay. Apply online at afas.org.

Army Emergency Relief (AER): Army Emergency Relief is offering zero-interest loans up to $6,000 to active-duty Soldiers and their families affected by the 2025 government shutdown. Loans are intended to bridge the gap until pay resumes, with repayment beginning on October 30, 2025. Assistance is available through the Quick Assist Program, online application, or by visiting a local AER office. Loans do not affect credit scores and are interest-free.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA): CGMA is offering interest-free loans to active-duty, reserve, and civilian Coast Guard employees affected by the 2025 government shutdown. Loans are available up to one month’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), covering essential expenses like rent, utilities, food, and childcare. Repayment begins via allotment within three months of pay reinstatement. Apply online at mycgma.org.

First Command: First Command offers a 0% APR Pay Advance Loan to eligible clients affected by the government shutdown. Clients can receive an advance equal to their normal monthly direct deposit for up to six months, with no fees or interest. Additional support includes loan assistance, penalty-free early CD withdrawals, secured lines of credit, priority processing for credit card limit increases and payment deferrals, and guidance from financial advisors.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: NMCRS is offering interest-free loans to active-duty Sailors, Marines, and their families affected by the 2025 government shutdown. Assistance covers basic living expenses such as food, gas, and utilities. Loans are available even if the service member has an existing NMCRS loan. Service members deployed or on temporary duty can complete a Pre-Authorization form for their spouse to access assistance.

PenFed Credit Union: PenFed Credit Union is offering furlough assistance to federal employees affected by the 2025 government shutdown multiple types of assistance. Please visit the link for details.

Service Credit Union: One-time Payroll Credit If you are active-duty military or a Department of Defense civilian employee whose pay has been affected due to the shutdown and have had direct deposit with Service Credit Union for the past three months, we will automatically post a one-time credit to your account. This pay will be based on the normalized average of your direct deposit totals over the past three months. Financial Assistance Loan For existing members with direct deposit who are not eligible for the one-time payroll credit, we’re offering a 0% APR loan for up to four months, with no payments for up to 90 days, up to $5,000, if pay was impacted. Standard underwriting criteria applies. For existing members with no direct deposit or new members, we’re offering a 4% APR loan for up to four months, with no payments for up to 90 days, up to $5,000, if pay was impacted. Standard underwriting criteria applies.

TD Bank: Offering fee refunds (overdraft, non-TD ATM, monthly maintenance), waived CD early withdrawal penalties, late fee waivers on TD Bank Visa credit cards, and loan relief for mortgages, home equity, personal, and auto loans. Commercial and small business clients may also be eligible for fee refunds on loans or lines of credit.

United States Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU): USSFCU is offering a $5,000 Relief Loan: 0% interest for 90 days, Skip-a-Pay Fee Refund: Request fee refund for skipped payments, Loan Extensions: Available upon request, Real Estate Loan Modifications, and First Mortgage Deferments. Eligibility requires proof of lost pay due to the shutdown.

USAA: USAA offers no-interest loans up to $6,000 for eligible members affected by the government shutdown, repayable in 3 months. They also provide payment relief on banking and insurance products. Assistance is available via app, website, or customer service.

Furlough Grants

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FEEA: The Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA) is offering eligible civilian federal employees whose salary is $59,999 or less and who’ve been furloughed or are working unpaid during a shutdown a one-time $150 grant.

Thrift Savings Plan

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TSP Plan News and Announcements: If a participant has a TSP loan and remains actively employed (not separated from federal service or in a nonpay status for another reason), TSP will automatically update the participant’s status to keep the loan in good standing, even if repayments are not received during the shutdown. The lapse in appropriations does not prevent you from requesting a new TSP loan.

National Food Resources & Advice

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Feeding America: This organization operates a nationwide network of 200 food banks and more than 60,000 partner pantries, enabling them to serve communities across the United States. It is an exceptional resource that has already begun assisting federal employees affected by the government shutdown.

Your School District: To reduce food costs and ensure your child receives free breakfast and/or lunch, notify your school district of your furlough/excepted status. A loss of income is considered an emergency and typically qualifies your household for participation in the free meal program.

MyFEDBenefits

Federal Benefits Workbook: This is something we always offer to Federal workers – shutdown or no shutdown – and it’s an awesome thing to have. Essentially you can get a complete overview of all the benefits available to you as a Federal employee. You’ll find a lot of things that your HR department simply never told you about. It’s a great resource for helping you at any stage of your career, but it’s especially important for those planning or preparing for their retirement.

We’re always here to help our Federal workers. We support our Feds 100%, and we always will! Reach out to us if you have questions – we’ll be your HR dream team!