Shutdown Resources for Federal Employees
During a govt. shutdown federal employees may be working without their regular pay and facing financial, emotional, and mental hardship. Federal, state, local, and non-profit resources are available for them during this difficult period. Unionized employees may have specific benefits as a result of their collective bargaining agreement, and should contact their local union representative to learn more. You can find your union here.
Employee Pay and Benefits
- Federal employees will get bulk back pay for all time missed in regular paychecks.
- All benefits (health, dental/vision, life, retirement, leave accumulation) continue during a shutdown. Healthcare premiums will be deducted in bulk from the first paycheck after the shutdown ends.
- The Thrift Savings Plan allows employees to take loans during a government shutdown, and loans are automatically updated to remain in good standing even without payments during the period of the shutdown.
- Federal employees may be eligible for unemployment compensation per OPM guidance.
- How to File for Unemployment in Missouri
- Unemployment Compensation for Missouri Federal Employees (UCFE)—FAQs
Housing and Utility Bill Resources
- Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (for St. Louis County residents only) https://www.caastlc.org/housing-assistance/
- Lower your utility bills by utilizing the DOE’s Energy Savings Hub for energy saving tips, rebates, and tax credits to improve home energy efficiency.
- Utilize the CFPB’s information on credit cards to better understand cards for your situation. They also have a guide to stop mystery fees on your card.
- USA.gov also has information on getting help with utility, phone, and internet bills.
- Ameren: If any constituents – including federal employees – are having trouble with energy bills, we encourage them to reach out as soon as they know they need help. Missouri customers can use our phone line (800-552-7583) or the website www.Ameren.com/Assistance.
Cell Phone and Internet Payments Resources
- AT&T - request a payment arrangement
- T-Mobile - payment arrangement
- Verizon - My Verizon
- Comcast - use the Xfinity assistant to request payment arrangements.
- Astound - Call 877-Astound Broadband-BILL (877-726-2455) and select the option for making payment arrangements.
- Frontier - log into frontier account to access payment arrangements
- UnWired - Customers should call (559) 261-4444 opt. 3 or email customerservice@getunwired.com for a payment arrangement
- Cricket - Customers with Cricket Wireless can request a delay of up to 14 days in their bill due date by the Cricket online chat function or in-person in a store.
Social Services Resources
- 211 is a clearinghouse of information about available social services including food and clothing banks, shelters, rent or utility assistance, mental health resources, health insurance information, work support, and more.
- 988 is the national suicide & crisis line. Anyone can dial 988 to reach SAMHSA’s national helpline.
- For drug and alcohol abuse, anyone can dial 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or text 435748 (HELP4U).
- Veterans can reach specific resources by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or texting a message to 838255.