Federal Employee Furlough Resources

Supporting federal employees and PMF alumni during challenging times

PMAA stands with all federal employees affected by furloughs. This resource page provides comprehensive information and support services available to help you navigate this difficult period.

Whether you're facing a shutdown furlough or administrative furlough, know that you are not alone. Multiple organizations, agencies, and community partners are here to help.

Immediate Action Items

1. Contact Your HR Office: Confirm your furlough status and understand your specific situation

2. File for Unemployment: Apply for benefits as soon as possible in your state

3. Contact Creditors: Proactively reach out to mortgage companies, landlords, and lenders

4. Access EAP Services: Free counseling and support available 24/7

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Federal Occupational Health (FOH) EAP

Many federal agencies use FOH to provide Employee Assistance Program services. EAP services remain available during furloughs and provide confidential counseling, referrals, and support.

Phone: 1-800-222-0364
TTY: 1-888-262-7848
Available: 24/7
Services: Short-term counseling, legal consultations, financial counseling, work-life resources

Check with your agency's HR office to confirm your EAP provider and access information.

Civil Service Organizations

Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA)

FEEA provides emergency assistance loans and grants to federal employees experiencing financial hardship.

Website: feea.org
Phone: 202-554-0007
Services: Interest-free emergency loans up to $2,500, grants for disaster relief, scholarship programs

National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE)

Advocacy organization providing support and resources for federal employees and retirees.

Website: narfe.org
Phone: 1-800-456-8410
Services: Legislative advocacy, federal benefits information, local chapter support

Senior Executives Association (SEA)

Professional association for career federal executives providing support and advocacy.

Website: seniorexecs.org
Phone: 202-971-3300
Services: Career support, networking, legislative advocacy

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)

Union representing federal and D.C. government workers.

Website: afge.org
Phone: 202-737-8700
Services: Legal assistance for members, advocacy, workplace rights information

National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU)

Union representing employees of multiple federal agencies.

Website: nteu.org
Phone: 202-572-5500
Services: Member support, legal assistance, workplace advocacy

Unemployment Benefits

Maryland Department of Labor - Unemployment Insurance

Maryland residents and those whose last duty station was in Maryland may be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Website: labor.maryland.gov
Phone: 410-949-0022
File Claims: Online at BEACON portal or by phone
Note: File as soon as you receive furlough notice

Virginia Employment Commission

Virginia residents should file with VEC for unemployment benefits.

Website: vec.virginia.gov
Phone: 1-866-832-2363
File Claims: Online or by phone

District of Columbia - Office of Unemployment Compensation

D.C. residents can file for unemployment insurance benefits.

Website: does.dc.gov
Phone: 202-724-7000
File Claims: Online through DC portal

Financial Institutions & Credit Unions

Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed)

Offers special assistance programs for members affected by furloughs.

Website: penfed.org
Phone: 1-800-247-5626
Services: Payment deferrals, skip-a-payment options, emergency loans, financial counseling

Navy Federal Credit Union

Provides support programs for members during government shutdowns and furloughs.

Website: navyfederal.org
Phone: 1-888-842-6328
Services: Skip-a-payment, loan modifications, 0% APR government shutdown loans

NASA Federal Credit Union

Offers hardship assistance to members affected by furloughs.

Website: nasafcu.com
Phone: 1-888-NASA-FCU
Services: Payment assistance, emergency loans, financial counseling

State Department Federal Credit Union

Special programs for members during government shutdowns.

Website: sdfcu.org
Phone: 1-800-374-2758
Services: 0% interest loans, payment deferrals, skip-a-payment options

Food Assistance & Restaurants

Capital Area Food Bank

Provides food assistance throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Website: capitalareafoodbank.org
Phone: 202-644-9800
Hotline: 202-644-9807 (for food assistance locations)
Services: Mobile markets, partner distribution sites, nutrition programs

José Andrés' World Central Kitchen

Has historically provided meals to federal employees during shutdowns.

Website: wck.org
Note: Check website and social media for current programs during furloughs

DC-Area Restaurant & Business Assistance

Many local businesses offer discounts or assistance during government shutdowns. Check local news and community boards for current offerings, which typically include:

  • Free or discounted meals at local restaurants
  • Deferred payment programs at retail establishments
  • Special pricing for federal ID holders
  • Community meal programs

Follow local news outlets like Washington Post, WTOP, and NBC Washington for updated lists.

Housing & Utilities Assistance

Mortgage & Landlord Communication

Proactively contact your mortgage servicer or landlord immediately upon receiving furlough notice.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Offers forbearance options
Fannie Mae: 1-800-732-6643 - Disaster assistance available
Freddie Mac: 1-800-373-3343 - Payment relief programs
Action: Request forbearance or payment plan modifications

Utility Companies

Local utility providers typically offer payment assistance during furloughs:

Pepco (DC, MD): 202-833-7500 - Customer Assistance Programs
Washington Gas: 1-844-927-4427 - Payment arrangements available
Baltimore Gas & Electric: 1-800-685-0123 - Special payment plans
Dominion Energy (VA): 1-866-366-4357 - Payment assistance programs

Healthcare & Insurance

Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)

Your FEHB coverage continues during furlough periods, even if in non-pay status.

Website: opm.gov/healthcare-insurance
Phone: 1-888-767-6738
Note: Premium payments may be deferred; contact your HR office for details

Prescription Assistance

If you're having difficulty affording prescriptions:

NeedyMeds: needymeds.org - Prescription assistance programs
RxAssist: rxassist.org - Patient assistance programs
GoodRx: goodrx.com - Prescription discount coupons

Legal & Financial Counseling

Legal Aid Organizations

Free or low-cost legal assistance may be available:

Legal Aid Society of DC: 202-628-1161
Neighborhood Legal Services (DC): 202-832-1059
Maryland Legal Aid: 1-866-635-2948
Virginia Legal Aid Society: 1-866-534-5243

Financial Counseling

Free financial counseling services:

National Foundation for Credit Counseling: 1-800-388-2227
Website: nfcc.org
Services: Budget counseling, debt management, housing counseling

Government Resources

U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Official guidance on furloughs and federal employee benefits.

Website: opm.gov/furlough-guidance
Phone: 1-888-767-6738
Resources: Furlough guidance, benefits information, fact sheets

USA.gov - Government Shutdown Resources

Centralized information on government services during shutdowns.

Website: usa.gov
Phone: 1-844-USA-GOV1
Services: Agency status updates, benefit information, resource directory

Quick Reference Links

  • OPM Furlough Guidance
  • FEEA Emergency Assistance
  • Maryland Unemployment
  • Virginia Unemployment
  • DC Unemployment
  • Capital Area Food Bank
  • PenFed Assistance Programs
  • Navy Federal Assistance
  • Credit Counseling Services
  • NARFE Resources
"Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation."

— Senator Margaret Chase Smith, 1953

Stay Connected

PMAA continues to advocate for federal employees and the PMF Program. Visit PMAA.us for legislative updates and additional resources.

Share Your Story: Your experiences matter. Consider sharing your story to help advocate for federal employees.

Presidential Management Alumni Association (PMAA)

Supporting PMI and PMF alumni to build an exceptional public service

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This resource page is updated regularly. Please verify all contact information before use.
Last updated: October 2025

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