Shut Down Resources

Resources and Information Related to Common Questions:

• A free call to 2-1-1 connects callers to a local community resource specialist who can put them in touch with local organizations that provide critical services to eligible individuals. Members can call 2-1-1 and speak with a live, highly trained service professional from any cell phone or landline. All calls are private and confidential, and assistance is available in multiple languages.

  • Supplemental food and nutrition programs
  • Shelter and housing options, and utilities assistance
  • Employment and education opportunities
  • Services for veterans
  • Health care and mental health services.

• Unemployment benefits: Furloughed workers can review guidance about here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/

• NYS Department of Labor FAQ’s https://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/furloughed-federal-workers.shtm
• SNAP benefits for February 2019 are being issued early (recipients should receive benefits during the week of January 21). Benefits will not be received in February. Recipients must budget what they receive for SNAP in late January to last through February.
• Public housing (Section 8) for most recipients should be paid through February. More information is available here https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/FY19_Shutdown_Factsheet.pdf and through local agencies.
• Federal tax refunds are being accepted and processed as scheduled, beginning January 28th. More information is available here. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-confirms-tax-filing-season-to-begin-january-28
• Medicaid, CHIP, Disability, and Social Security Benefits are not affected by the shutdown.
• Benefits for Veterans through the VA are not affected by the shutdown.
• Erie County Property Taxes: furloughed workers can receive a 90 day, no-interest, extension period for payment of real property taxes. For more information contact the Department of Real Property, 716-858-8333

Erie County Social Services: is offering the following support to furloughed employees that qualify:

• Emergency Temporary Assistance, call 716-858-6265
• Home Energy Assistance Program, go to mybenefits.ny.gov
• For more information visit http://www2.erie.gov/socialservices/

Finances:

• Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo: Dropping their normal $25 consultation fee to help furloughed workers. In the session they will: Thoroughly review your income and expenses, Review your Credit Report and Score, Analyze your unsecured debts (credit cards, retail cards, finance company loans, collection agencies, judgments and medical bills) and review appropriate debt repayment options, Provide you a written overview of your financial situation and action steps to take, Supply resources to achieve financial goals and address financial concerns. Call  (716) 712-2060 for an appointment
• Capital One: Has a financial hardship program specifically for government employees that works with each customer individually to waive fees and/or defer payments.  Call 800-227-4825 for credit cards.
• Citibank: Has a range of assistance programs for U.S. federal government employees.  Call 800-950-5114 for Citi Cards, 888-248-4226 for Citibank and 877-211-3758 for CitiMortgage.
• Citizens Bank: Offering early access to CDs without penalty, waiving/rebating checking account and credit card fees, and personalized help with loan payments.  Call 866-991-0404.
• Chase: Has a hardship program for federal workers that includes waiving fees.  Call 888-356-0023.
• Key Bank: Has a borrower's assistance program  to help customers encountering financial problems. Call 800-539-2968.
• M&T Bank: Working with affected customers to make a plan.  For personal checking and deposit customers, call 1-800-724-2440.  For mortgage customers, call 1-800-724-1633.  For loan, credit line and credit card customers, call 1-800-724-2525. 
• Bank of America: offering personalized financial assistance through its Client Assistance Program and can be reached at 844-219-0690.
• Fifth Third Bank: is providing a number of options for customers of their loan products to those impacted by the government shutdown. Customers should contact 866-601-6391 from 8am–5pm EST, Monday–Friday.
• Freedom Mortgage: created a team dedicated to supporting those no longer receiving paychecks due to the shutdown to help them avoid defaulting on a mortgage. Customers can visit www.freedommortgage.com or call Freedom Mortgage at 855-690-5900.
• Nationwide: providing grace periods, extending due dates, and waiving certain fees for several of their product lines including Life Insurance and Retirement Plans.
• Paypal: offering an interest-free cash advance up to $500 for any existing or new PayPal Credit customers who are federal employees and are struggling to make ends meet. visit www.paypal.com/paypalhelps to access this resource.
• PNC: is prepared to waive certain fees and take other appropriate actions for government employees who are experiencing financial difficulty due to the shutdown. PNC also makes available several forms of financing, including a short-term loan that may assist customers with meeting their financial needs. PNC customer service representatives are available at 1-888-762-2265 during standard business hours.
• Quicken Loans:waiving all late fees for clients who may miss a mortgage payment due to the shutdown. For help call (800) 508-0944 or email Help@QuickenLoans.com.
• Toyota Financial Services is offering options to its customers affected by the current federal government shutdown including up to two months of finance contract payment extensions or lease deferred payments. Toyota customers can call 800-874-8822 or visit toyotafinancial.com and Lexus customers can call 800-874-7050 or visit lexusfinancial.com to explore options.
• U.S. Bank is offering low-rate quick loan options for up to $6,000 to qualified federal government employees who are customers of any U.S. Bank product, including mortgage and auto loans and credit cards. Customers can access additional information and assistance via a designated shutdown line at 877-760-6046.
• Wells Fargo is waiving fees for customers who have direct deposit from the federal government or at customers' requests for those that contact them and are impacted by the government shutdown. In addition, customers who might need more time to make their payments, Wells Fargo has options for both short and long-term assistance based on the customer's situation. Reach out to customer service for your specific product, or call 1-800-TO-WELLS
• Eli Lilly is offering support to customers struggling to afford insulin supplies during the shutdown due to lost wages. Customers can call the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center at 1-833-808-1234 to speak with a live representative for information about patient assistance programs for other medicines
• FamilyWize offers Prescription Savings cards to anyone in the U.S. with or without insurance. The discount card will get you the lowest possible price on prescription medications at participating pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Rite Aid. Learn more and download a card at (https://familywize.org/) 
• SUNY & CUNY: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed SUNY and CUNY to assist students with college-related expenses during the prolonged federal shutdown. Payments for tuition and related college expenses will be postponed, and no late fees or penalties will be charged to impacted students. This temporary reprieve will apply to federal employees, dependents of federal employees, and students who are dependent on loans from the federal government that may be delayed.

Support for Union and Credit Union Members:

• UnionPlus (https://www.unionplus.org/hardship-help/layoff-assistance) offers an array of programs and services for union members who experience job loss, furloughs, and natural disasters. Some programs are only available to members who are already enrolled in certain UnionPlus programs, other services are available to all union members. is offering a relief line of credit, in some cases with a short-term zero-percent interest rate that increases to four percent after 60 days.
• Congressional Federal Credit Union (https://www.congressionalfcu.org/loans/personal-loans/furlough-solutions)
• Democracy Federal Credit Union is offering a short-term emergency loan with 0% interest. Contact Democracy FCU Member Services at (800) 742-5582.
• Fed Choice Federal Credit Union is offering its bank clients who are federal employees interest-free payroll advances and other assistance.
• First Command Financial Services is issuing a zero percent interest rate for loans of up to $3,000 to federal government employees.
• Launch Federal Credit Union is offering a variety of hardship assistance programs for customers.
• Meriwest Credit Union is offering a zero-percent APR loan up to $6,000 during the government shutdown.
• Navy Federal Credit Union is offering a zero-percent APR loan up to $6,000 during the government shutdown. The assistance is open to federal government employees and active duty members of the Coast Guard whose pay has been disrupted by the shutdown, and who have an established direct deposit account. You can register on the Navy Federal Credit Union website, in branches or by phone at (888) 842-6328. Members impacted by the shutdown who don’t meet the eligibility requirements should visit a branch or call to discuss their situation

 Utilities:

• National Grid, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and National Fuel Gas: The specific provisions will vary by utility and may include suspending or waiving late payment fees and/or extending or deferring payment due dates.  
• National Grid at 800-642-4272
• NYSEG at 888-315-1755
• National Fuel at 800-365-3234
• HEAP and other Utility Assistant Programs

Wireless Providers:

• AT&T: Customers affected by the shutdown are eligible for flexible payment options to keep service including cellphones, television and internet running. Make payment arrangements online at www.att.com.
• Sprint: Care reps will coordinate with qualified customers and financial team to find a payment option that works and keep service uninterrupted. Call 888-211-4727 or do an online chat at www.sprint.com.
• T-Mobile: Short-term account assistance can be tailored to meet the needs of customers who are federal workers, including payment deferral and "flexible payment options" that allow customers to spread their service payments over time. Call 611 from a T-Mobile device or 877-746-0909 from any phone.
• Verizon: The company announced flexible payment options and a "Promise to Pay" program that can be set up in the My Verizon app or website. Further assistance is available by calling 866-266-1445.

Food:

• Food Pantries have waived their normal income guidelines for furloughed workers. Find a Food Pantry near you here.
• Catholic Charities is providing furloughed workers food throught their pantries for up to 2 months after the shut down.
• Govenor Cuomo is asking State Ed to ensure that families affected have access to free school meals. Contact your school district.