The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association and the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund have begun offering federal employees impacted by the government shutdown $100 grants to make ends meet while they go without paychecks, the organizations announced Jan. 18.

“The financial toll of this partial government shutdown is not lost on anyone at NARFE,” said NARFE National President Ken Thomas in a news release.

“Every day, we hear from members recounting how they are scrambling to make arrangements for unpaid bills, including tapping into their retirement accounts. They face home evictions, leave medical issues untended, are banned from seeking temporary work and, in some circumstances, cannot file for unemployment. Through no fault of their own, these hardworking individuals who help the American people cannot help themselves. We are humbled by this opportunity to help them.”

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The program is open to active, shutdown-impacted federal employees that are members of NARFE.

"FEEA stands with federal employees and we are happy to build on our 20-plus year partnership with NARFE during this time of great need for so many families. While this small grant cannot replace missing pay, we know that it is making a difference for some families by helping with groceries and gas,” said Joyce Warner, executive director of FEEA, in a news release.

Congress already passed a guarantee that federal employees would receive their missing pay after the shutdown ends, but many impacted feds still have to worry about paying for essentials until the government is funded.

According to the NARFE news release, the program has already received 500 applications with more than 100 checks processed.

Interested NARFE members can apply online with their employment information, NARFE membership number and furloughed or excepted status notice.

About Jessie Bur

Jessie Bur covers federal IT and management.

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