Banks, Restaurants, Union Plus Lend a Helping Hand to Feds During Shutdown

It has been over three weeks since the Trump administration began forcing more than 800,000 federal employees to either work without pay or stay home without pay. Many employees live paycheck to paycheck and won’t be able to pay their mortgages and other bills if they don’t get paid on time.  

But amid the bad news, there is some good news. Some major banks have expressed their willingness to work with federal employees, albeit on a case by case basis. Many restaurants are offering free food or a discount to federal employees. 

Here’s a list of financial institutions that have expressed willingness to work with federal employees struggling with their loan repayments. If you are a customer of one of these banks or Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company, you can reach out to them for assistance.  

Banks offering assistance to federal workers

1.    Wells Fargo  — The bank will work with individuals affected by the shutdown. Call 1-800-TO-WELLS, or the number on your credit card, debit card, or statement for assistance, or visit any Wells Fargo branch. For more information about this assistance program, click here.  

2.     Bank of America  — Bank of America has said it will work with customers on a case by case basis. Call the bank’s assistance line at (844) 219-069.  

3.     Citi  –– Citi has said it is offering assistance to feds facing financial hardships. Click here or call the number on your card to request assistance.   

4.     Chase  — Call 1-888-356-0023 for assistance.  

5.    Capital One— Capital One is offering a number of options that could help feds whose income is disrupted as a result of the shutdown. “We want to do our part to support individuals and families in need during this stressful time. Please call us or visit any of our locations for further assistance.” Card holders should contact 1-800-622-2580.

6.     Navy Federal Credit Union — The credit union is offering 0% APR loans during the government shutdown. Click here for more details.  

7.    First Command Financial Services — The bank told CNN it is offering its bank clients who are federal employees interest-free payroll advances and other assistance. Click here for more information. 

8.     Democracy Federal Credit Union —The credit union told CNN it is offering a short-term emergency loan with 0% interest. Contact Democracy FCU Member Services at (800) 742-5582.  

9.     Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company — Fidelity & Guaranty Life Senior Vice President John Phelps has reached out to AFGE to express the company’s appreciation for federal employees and their work for the American people. 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.”   

Need to find a local food bank or want to make a donation to help feds in need?  

Contact Feeding America.  

Here’s Feeding America’s message to AFGE members: 

Dear AFGE Members –

As the government shutdown enters its fourth week and many of you face the reality of a missed paycheck, I am writing to share a resource available to help you and your families during this challenging time: AFGE is pleased to announce a partnership with Feeding America to help our members in this time of need. 

Feeding America is a national network of 200 food banks and 60,000 partner food pantries that serves individuals in every community across the country. The Feeding America network has already begun preparing for the national impact of the government shutdown and the anticipated need to assist federal employees who are either furloughed or currently working without pay. The contact information for your local food bank can be found here, and they will guide you through the process of accessing the resources that are available to you and your family.

Many of you who are working and still have a pay check coming in have also asked what you can do to help your fellow members whose families are affected by the shutdown. We ask that you consider making a donation to support Feeding America’s efforts. Every dollar you donate can help provide as many as 10 meals through the Feeding America network of food banks. You can make a donation here.    

If you have questions or would like additional information about Feeding America, please contact Kate Leone, Chief Government Relations Officer, at kleone@feedingamerica.org.

Thrifts Saving Plan   

The TSP has issued the following message in response to the shutdown: 

“The TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into nonpay status to prevent your loan from going into default. Normally, we require documentation from your agency or service. However, the TSP does not need documentation of your furlough at this time. If your loan payments were up to date prior to the furlough, missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to be in default. You can check the status of your loan by logging into My Account, selecting “TSP Loans,” and then selecting “Are my payments up to date?” Or you can call the ThriftLine at 1-877-968-3778 and speak to a Participant Service Representative. 

As long as retroactive pay is approved, all missed loan payments will be submitted and posted to your loan. We will provide more information as the furlough continues or as events change.” 

Union Plus 

If you are a union member who participates in certain Union Plus programs and have been impacted by the 2019 Federal Government shutdown, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Furlough Grant Program. 

Union Plus Credit Card: 

$300 Furlough Grant 

For eligible Union Plus Credit Cardholders2 who are furloughed or excepted due to the federal government shutdown. 

·       Must be a Union Plus Credit Cardholder for at least 3 months and in good standing on the date the federal shutdown began. 

·       Apply for a one-time grant at unionplus.org/hardship. 

Capital One’s customer assistance program offers a number of options that could help customers whose income is disrupted as a result of the federal government shutdown and can help provide personalized assistance to those in need. For help, cardholders should contact: 1-800-622-2580. 

Union Plus Mortgage: 

·       Mortgage Assistance Loan & $300 Grant: for eligible Union Plus mortgage holders who are out of work or asked to work without pay due to an involuntary furlough that lasts for at least 15 consecutive calendar days. 

o   Must be a Union Plus Mortgage holder for at least 12 months and in good standing at time of the qualifying event. 

o   Your income must be reduced by an amount equal to at least 50% of the monthly mortgage payment. 

o   Interest-free loan to cover up to 6 months of mortgage payments and a $300 grant paid directly to the member 

o   Apply for grant at unionplus.org/hardship 

·       Wells Fargo is offering assistance on case-by-case basis: members may qualify for forbearance or other payment assistance programs based on their individual circumstances. For help, members should contact: 1-888-818-9147 Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Central Time Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central Time  

Credit Counseling: 

·       Money Management International offers a FREE consumer credit counseling session, budget analysis, and money management advice to members. Call 1-877-833-1745  

Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance: 

·       Policyholders qualify for a payment grace period. Call 1-800-393-0864. 

Union Plus Personal Loan: 

·       First National Bank of Omaha is offering assistance on a case-by-case basis: members may qualify for fee waivers or other payment assistance programs based on their individual circumstances. For help, members should contact 1-888-283-5228 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central Time.   

Union Plus Auto & Home Insurance 

·       For those not receiving a paycheck from the federal government as a result 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.   

Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance  

·       The Hartford will offer qualified policyholders a payment grace period. For additional information, call 1-800-393-0864.