Federal employee furlough resources
This page provides comprehensive information and support services available to help our VCU Alumni navigate this difficult period.
- Employee assistance programs
- Civil service organizations
- Unemployment benefits
- Financial institutions and credit unions
- Food assistance and restaurants
- Housing and utilities assistance
- Health care and insurance
- Mental health and emotional well-being
- Legal and financial counseling
- Government resources
- Virginia-specific resources
- Quick reference links
Employee assistance programs
- Federal Occupational Health 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. Check with your agency’s HR office to confirm your EAP provider and access information.
- Phone: 1-800-222-0364
- TTY: 1-888-262-7848
- Available: 24/7
- Services: Short-term counseling, legal consultations, financial counseling, work-life resources
Civil service organizations
- Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund. 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. 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. 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. 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. Union representing employees of multiple federal agencies.
- Website: nteu.org
- Phone: (202) 572-5500
- Services: Member support, legal assistance, workplace advocacy
Unemployment benefits
- 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
- Maryland Department of Labor – Unemployment Insurance. Maryland residents and those whose last duty station was in Maryland may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Note: File as soon as you receive furlough notice.
- Website: labor.maryland.gov
- Phone: (410) 949-0022
- File claims: Online at BEACON portal or by phone
Financial institutions and credit unions
- 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
- 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
- Pentagon Federal Credit Union. 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
- 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 and restaurants
- Feed More. Has a food pantry locator to search around the Greater Richmond area.
- Website: feedmore.org/agency-locator/
- 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
- World Central Kitchen. Has historically provided meals to federal employees during shutdowns. Note: Check website and social media for current programs during furloughs.
- Website: wck.org
Housing and utilities assistance
- Mortgage and landlord communication. Proactively contact your mortgage servicer or landlord immediately upon receiving furlough notice. Request forbearance or payment plan modifications.
- Federal Housing Administration: Offers forbearance options
- Fannie Mae: 1-800-732-6643 – Disaster assistance available
- Freddie Mac: 1-800-373-3343 – Payment relief programs
- Utility companies. Local utility providers typically offer payment assistance during furloughs.
- Dominion Energy (VA): 1-866-366-4357 – Payment assistance programs
- 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
Health care and insurance
- Federal Employee Health Benefits. Your FEHB coverage continues during furlough periods, even if in non-pay status. Note: Premium payments may be deferred; contact your HR office for details.
- Website: opm.gov/healthcare-insurance
- Phone: 1-888-767-6738
- 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
Mental health and emotional well-being
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Phone: Call or text 988 (24/7 free, confidential support)
- SAMHSA Helpline. Substance use and mental health treatment locator.
- Phone: 1-800-662-4357
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline. Provides emotional support and mental health education.
- Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
- Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to 741741.
Legal and financial counseling
- Legal aid organizations. Free or low-cost legal assistance may be available.
- Virginia Legal Aid Society: 1-866-534-5243
- Legal Aid Society of DC: (202) 628-1161
- Neighborhood Legal Services (DC): (202) 832-1059
- Maryland Legal Aid: 1-866-635-2948
- National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Free financial counseling services.
- Website: nfcc.org
- Phone: 1-800-388-2227
- Services: Budget counseling, debt management, housing counseling
Government resources
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management. 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
- 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
Virginia-specific resources
- Resources for Impacted Federal Workers: This site includes details about how to apply for unemployment insurance benefits, conduct a job search, address health care coverage needs, and find opportunities for training and education.
- Resources for Virginia’s Former Federal Employees and Other Workers Impacted by the Federal Government Transition
- Virginia Workforce Connection: This site provides information about available jobs, job search resources, training opportunities and resources for veterans.
- Virginia Career Works: Resource Guide for the Job Seeker: Guide to Finding a New Job
- Virginia Career Works Northern Region: Dislocated Federal Workers and Contractors: This site provides information about health insurance, taxpayer services, household expense assistance, unemployment insurance benefits, the five Virginia Career Works Career Centers in the Northern Region and other resources.
- Alexandria City: Resources for Federal Government Employees
- Arlington County: Assistance for Federal Employees and Contractors: This site includes resources related to employment services, public benefits programs and housing.
- Fairfax County: Help for Residents Affected by Federal Workforce Actions: This site provides resources for former federal employees, contractors and others impacted by job loss.
- Fairfax County Economic Development Authority: This site provides information about jobs available in Northern Virginia, as well as resources for veterans, transitioning military and military families, entrepreneurs and startups, and training opportunities.
- Fairfax County: Human Services Resource Guide (HSRG): This searchable database includes information on a range of services for Fairfax County residents, including how families can apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits anytime during the school year.
- Prince William County: Resources for Residents Impacted by Federal Workforce Actions
– Source: AFL-CIO
Quick reference links
- 211 Virginia
- OPM Furlough Guidance
- FEEA Emergency Assistance
- Virginia Unemployment
- DC Unemployment
- Maryland Unemployment
- Capital Area Food Bank
- PenFed Assistance Programs
- Navy Federal Assistance
- Credit Counseling Services
- NARFE Resources