Articles

Resources For Federal Workers

Washington, January 22, 2019

Tags: Federal Employees

The current federal government shutdown is now the longest in American history, and remains deeply concerning to millions of people, including many in Northern Virginia. Almost 87,000 of my constituents in Virginia’s Eighth Congressional District work directly for the government, thousands more work as government contractors, and the whole community feels the personal and economic distress as the shutdown stretches on.

I sponsored a measure to give affected federal employees back pay (the Senate version passed into law), and have sponsored a measure to reimburse contractors. I have voted many times for bipartisan legislation to reopen the government, and will continue to do so.

My friend and colleague Congressman John Lewis has compiled answers to a range of questions about the impact of the shutdown on government services, including Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Medicare, domestic and international travel, tax filing, mail delivery, and more, which can be read here.

The Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) website provides general guidance for federal employees affected by the shutdown, and the Office of Management and Budget’s Contingency Plan web page also compiles agency guidance in the event of a federal government shutdown.

My office has also pulled together resources (below) to help while portions of the government remain closed. It covers a wide range of topics, from how to manage your federal student loans, to local resources and guidance on food banks, delaying utility payments and direct financial assistance. Should you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to call my Washington, D.C. office at 202–225–4376 or my constituent services office at 703–658–5403.

If you or someone you know are in a crisis and need to talk to someone, the CrisisLink Hotline is open 24 hours a day: 703.527.4077 or Text “connect” to 855–11. For TTY, dial 711.

Federal Employee Resources:

Federal Student Aid

· Here are some options to manage your student loans while you are furloughed or not receiving pay: http://bit.ly/2SQPifm

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Guidance:

· OPM Furlough Guidance (Pay and Leave)

· Questions and Answers

· Shutdown FAQs

· OPM Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees FAQs

Virginia Resources:

Unemployment Benefits

· Guidance from the Virginia Employment Commission for Furloughed Employees (Q&A Sheet)

Local Resources:

Arlington County:

· Arlington County Helps Mitigate Shutdown Impacts on Residents and Businesses

· Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)

· Food for Others

o Anyone in need of food may come to one of the following neighborhood sites at the times specified here — this also includes sites in Fairfax County and Falls Church.

City of Alexandria:

· City of Alexandria Offers Resources for Federal Employees and Contractors

· Hunger Free Alexandria — City of Alexandria Food Assistance Program Directory

· Hunger Free Alexandria — City of Alexandria Food Assistance Resources Schedule

City of Falls Church:

· Furlough Assistance from Falls Church City of Public Schools

Fairfax County:

· Federal Government Shutdown 2019 (Fairfax County)

Many restaurants and businesses are providing free meals and food for unpaid federal employees. Check the running list HERE.

Additional resources:

World Central Kitchen: #ChefsForFeds Initiative with Jose Andres

Northern Virginia Family Service Shutdown Assistance