Daily Archives: January 14, 2019

Furlough Assistance For Federal Employees and Pets During Shutdown

January 14, 2019 By in Federal Agencies, Shutdown Tags: , , , , ,

Posted: 3:11 am EST
Updated: 1:10 pm EST
Updated: Jan 16, 2:35 am EST: Click here for counties/utilities assistance for furloughed employees.

 

SDFCU

Furlough Relief for Impacted Members

The State Department Federal Credit Union is offering service changes to help members who may be impacted by the current government furlough.

Please call us at 800-296-8882 or 703-706-5000, or email sdfcu@sdfcu.org to request assistance with any of the following:

  • – Refund any late fees on loan payments
  • – Eliminate the penalty for cashing in Share Certificates early so you can have access to your money sooner rather than later
  • – Refund cash advance fees for our Visa Platinum or Premium Cash Back+ credit cards when using an ATM
  • – Make emergency credit card loans available at 0% interest for the first two months
  • – Delay loan payments on a case-by-case basis

The services listed above are only available to members directly impacted and are scheduled to end on January 31, 2019; however, the program end date might be adjusted depending upon the length of the government furlough.

 

Thrift Savings Plan

Government Shutdown and Loan Payments

“Government Shutdown and Loan Payments — (January 8, 2019) 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.” (via tsp.gov)

 

Navy Federal

Government Shutdown Assistance

You may be eligible for government shutdown assistance if your pay is impacted, you’ve set up direct deposit of pay with Navy Federal, and you are 1) a Federal government employees, 2) Active Duty service members of the Coast Guard

Navy Federal’s Government Shutdown Loan Program calculates loan amounts based on the amount of the most recent direct deposit of pay made prior to the interruption of pay. Loans have a 0% APR and are available up to a maximum loan amount of $6,000.

If your pay is disrupted, but you don’t meet the eligibility requirements, Navy Federal recommends that you visit a branch or contact them at 1-888-842-6328 to discuss your situation with one of their Member Service Representatives.

 

Chase Bank

Customers Affected by Government Shutdown Should Call Chase If They Need Help with Their Loans

Chase encouraged customers affected by the U.S. government shutdown to call if they need help with their Chase mortgages, credit card accounts or car loans. Customers can find out about Chase’s hardship programs by calling the special care line at 1-888-356-0023.

Chase offers hardship programs to customers broadly who have been affected by unemployment, financial strain or natural disasters, including potentially:

  • Waiving or refunding late fees
  • Extending payments on car loans and leases
  • Protecting customers’ credit histories

 

Wells Fargo

Government Shutdown Assistance

The bank will work with individuals and business banking customers whose income is disrupted as a result of the shutdown. Customers should call 1-800-TO-WELLS, or the number on their credit card, debit card or statement for assistance, or visit any Wells Fargo branch.

In addition, Wells Fargo mortgage, loan, and credit customers may qualify for forbearance or other payment assistance programs based on their individual circumstances. Click here for specific services available and contact numbers.

 

Bank of America

Bank of America Contacts Clients Affected by Government Shutdown

“Our Client Assistance Program is available to individuals affected by the shutdown for personalized financial assistance, tailored to their specific situation and financial needs.”

The bank has set up a priority assistance phone line that clients can contact at 844.219.0690. For personalized assistance, they also can schedule an appointment to meet with a specialist.

 

Capital Area Food Bank

Part of the Food Bank Network connecting its partners and neighbors in need with healthy food. The Food Bank Network creates links to the CAFB’s network of food assistance partners and programs while providing real time access to services such as affordable housing and job training. Click here for searchable database for food assistance and other necessities.

 

For Pets

 

Federal Offices in WDC Area on Trump Shutdown Now on Snow Shutdown For Monday 1/14

January 14, 2019 By in Federal Agencies, Shutdown, Trump Tags: , , ,

Posted: 1:08 am EST

 

Via OPM:

This announcement does not apply to furloughed employeesimpacted by the lapse in appropriations, as they are already in a non-work status.

Excepted employees (e.g., those excepted from the furlough to protect life or property or those who must support them or other non-furloughed employees “by necessary implication”) will follow the operating status announcement, except any time in a non-work status will be considered to be furlough time.

Employees who are Funded or Exempt from Furlough

Non-emergency employees generally will be granted weather and safety leave for the number of hours they were scheduled to work. However, weather and safety leave will not be granted to employees who are:

  • emergency employees who are required to report for duty;
  • telework program participants (with certain narrow exceptions);
  • on official travel outside of the duty station;
  • on preapproved leave (paid or unpaid) or other paid time off (applicable to Funded or Exempt employees only); or
  • on an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) day off or other non-workday.

Except as noted in the discussion above:
Emergency Employees are expected to report to their worksite unless otherwise directed by their agencies.

Telework Employees (i.e., employees who are participating in a telework program, including those who perform telework regularly and those who telework on an ad hoc basis) generally may not receive weather and safety leave. They must account for the entire workday by teleworking, taking unscheduled leave (paid or unpaid) or other paid time off, or a combination, in accordance with law, regulations, agency policies and procedures, and any applicable collective bargaining requirements (as consistent with law).

Leave. In general, an employee on preapproved leave (paid or unpaid) or other paid time off should continue to be charged leave or other paid time off and should not receive weather and safety leave.

(Posted on January 13, 2019 at 8:45 PM)

Trump Shutdown Day #24: Cartoonists Draw Insane Weeks For Federal Hostages

January 14, 2019 By in Federal Agencies, Hostages, Politics, Shutdown, Trends, Trump Tags: , ,

Posted: 12:52 am EST