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Maryland Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Actions

Maryland Workers Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown

This webpage outlines resources available to impacted federal employees and contractors during the partial government shutdown.

  • Furloughed federal employees—who are not working and are not being paid during a government shutdown—may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits through the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program. Furloughed federal employees are required to repay those benefits after the shutdown ends and they receive retroactive pay.
    
  • Furloughed federal contractors and other furloughed workers—who are not working and are not being paid—may be eligible for state unemployment insurance benefits.

    Individuals who are found eligible can receive up to $430 in weekly benefits (pre-tax). To apply for unemployment, workers can file online or call 667-207-6520 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
    
    Workers should apply for UI benefits in the jurisdiction of their "duty station." This means, for example, that if you are a Marylander who is furloughed from a federal job based in Virginia, you should apply for benefits in Virginia. Here are direct links to apply for UI benefits in Maryland; Washington, DC; and Virginia.

  • Local Food Pantries and Food Banks: Access the Maryland Department of Human Services website to find the nearest The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provider or enter your zip code at the Maryland Food Bank, Capital Area Food Bank, and 211 Maryland website to locate the nearest food pantry or food bank.
    
  • After school meal benefits for students: Maryland State Department of Education has begun working with local education agencies (LEAs) to increase awareness of the availability of current after school meal programs in communities across the state. Students currently approved for free meals under SNAP will continue to receive meal benefits for the duration of this school year. Students newly eligible and approved for SNAP benefits or who attend a school participating in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) will also qualify for free school meals. Parents and guardians who are currently furloughed may use their current household income to complete a meal benefit application with their local school district.
    
  • Maryland Access Point (MAP): The state's central resource for older adults and people with disabilities to connect directly to local food banks, senior center meal programs, utility assistance, and other critical supports. Connect with MAP by calling 1-844-MAP-LINK or by visiting their site for links to specialized supports and resources.

  • Housing Protections: An involuntarily furloughed federal, state, or local government employee at risk of eviction or foreclosure has protections under law and can ask the court to temporarily pause the eviction or foreclosure during the shutdown.
    According to statute, these protections only apply to federal employees and not federal contractors.
    Federal employees are protected even if they are required to work during a shutdown. To be eligible, the federal employee must:
    • be a current federal government employee,
    • currently live in the property at risk of eviction or foreclosure,
    • be unpaid during the shutdown, and
    • show up to any scheduled court hearing and ask the judge to pause the eviction or foreclosure.
    Federal employees may be asked to provide evidence that they are a current federal employee and have been involuntarily furloughed. Evidence could include:
    • Federal government ID badge,
    • most recent paystub, or
    • an email or letter telling you that you are furloughed.
    Federal employees can ask the judge what evidence will satisfy the court and can ask for more time to gather evidence the court requests.
    The court will decide how long is reasonable to pause the eviction or foreclosure. Courts can only allow the pause to last 30 days beyond the end of the shutdown unless the court agrees there’s a good reason for it to last longer.

  • Electric and Gas Utility Protections: An involuntarily furloughed federal government employee who is not receiving a paycheck as a result of a government shutdown has protections under law. Electric or gas providers cannot cut off service due to unpaid bills.
    
  • Federal employees must contact their electric or gas provider before their service is cut off to verify that they are a furloughed employee and agree to a payment plan to pay what they owe after the shutdown ends.
    
  • These protections apply:
    • beginning on the eighth day a government shutdown is in effect, and
    • continue through the first seven days after the government shutdown ends.
      
  • To be eligible, federal employees must:
    • be a current federal, state, or local government employee,
    • be furloughed involuntarily because of a government shutdown regardless of whether the employee is required to report to work during the furlough, and
    • be unpaid during the shutdown.
      
  • These protections do not apply to federal contractors.

    Protections only cover electric and gas. They do not cover municipal water.

  • Resources available through Maryland Credit Unions: Credit unions are offering financial assistance and payment flexibility for members affected by changes to their federal employment status due to the shutdown. Members are encouraged to contact their credit union directly to determine eligibility and learn about available relief programs, which may include:
    • Emergency low interest loans
    • Penalty-free share certificate withdrawals
    • Payment deferrals on existing loans
    • Line of credit increases and 60-day 0% APR relief lines of credit
    • Loan adjustments on a case-by-case basis
    • Auto loan refinancing
    • Increased credit card and credit line limits
    To learn more, federal employees and contractors can contact their local credit union.
    To find a specific credit union’s contact information, use the National Credit Union Administration credit union locator.
  • Resources available through Maryland Chartered Banks: Banks typically offer a range of assistance programs to help their customers manage their financial obligations. Such programs may include:
    • Emergency low-interest loans
    • Penalty-free certificate of deposit withdrawals
    • Payment deferrals on existing loans
    • Line of credit increases
    • Loan adjustments on a case-by-case basis
    • Increased credit card and credit line limit
    Bank customers affected by changes to their federal employment status due to the shutdown are encouraged to contact their bank directly to learn if their bank is offering any relief programs specific to the government shutdown.

    Approximately 1 in 4 federal civilian employees are veterans. In addition to the other identified resources, there are services designed specifically for veterans. Visit Maryland’s website for Maryland workers impacted by recent federal actions to view resources for veterans.

  • Food, Cash, and Other Assistance
    
  • Legal Resources and Federal Employment Rules & Regulations
    
  • Mental Health Resources: Marylanders can access support 24/7 by contacting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and additional services through Local Behavioral Health Authorities.
    
  • Maryland Department of Disabilities Constituent Services Line: The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) operates a constituent services line to serve Marylanders by providing information and assistance to individuals as they navigate the human services system. During the federal government shutdown, the line will operate with enhanced monitoring to help connect constituents with available programs and services. MDOD constituent services staff can be reached at (410) 767-3660.