Skip to content
Graphic: Need Help?

Resources for Furloughed Government Employees

With so many federal government employees struggling during the shutdown, we’ve collected links to and summaries of resources available to federal employees who are furloughed. From free food to free CLE programs, many groups are trying to support those affected by the shutdown.

Thankfully this is not an exhaustive list. If you know of any additional resources for furloughed employees, please email us at info@wclawyers.org.

General Help:

NBC Washington, Shutdown Resources: How to Get Help in the DC Area (Jan. 9, 2019) (Resources in DC, MD, and VA.)

USA Today, Businesses Offer Furlough Freebies, Shutdown Specials and Assistance to Federal Workers  (Jan. 10, 2019) (Some businesses are offering furloughed federal workers a little relief ranging from free meals to deferring payments and zero-interest loans.)

ABC7, Deals, Goodies and Freebies Around DC for Federal Employees During Government Shutdown (Jan. 10, 2019)

govloop, Deals and Resources for Federal Employees (Jan. 11, 2019) (A list of shutdown deals and specials and other resources.)

Fox 5 DC, DC Shutdown Resources (Jan. 15, 2019) (A list of resources for residents of Washington, D.C. affected by the partial government shutdown.)

WTOP, DC-Area Deals for Furloughed Government Workers (Jan. 23, 2019) (From food and drinks to free activities, government employees in the D.C. area have a number of deals to choose from during the partial government shutdown.)

Washington City Paper, DC Guide to the 2018-2019 Government Shutdown (Jan. 13, 2019) (Get free food, apply for utility assistance, help your struggling neighbors, exercise, clean your closets, volunteer, shout your anger into a phone.)

WAMU, DC to Offer Mortgage Assistance During Shutdown (Jan. 23, 2019) (The District will provide mortgage assistance loans to furloughed federal workers.)

The Community Foundation News, Resources and Support for Furloughed Federal Government Employees (Jan. 11, 2019) (A list of resources in DC, MD and VA.)

Prince Georges County, MD Government, Federal Government Shutdown Assistance (Jan. 23, 2019) (Resources in Prince Georges County.)

Alexandria, VA Government, Economic Support (Jan. 24, 2019) (Resources for Alexandria residents.)

DC Diaper Bank, Diapers and Period Products for Furloughed Federal Workers (Jan. 2019)(Free diapers for furloughed government workers: January 24th & 25th, 11 AM – 1 PM, World Central Kitchen at Archives Navy Memorial Metro, must bring Government ID and child’s birth certificate.)  Donate at: greaterdcdiaperbank.org/give-dollars

Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Government Shutdown Resources (Jan. 2019) (Variety of Resources)

“Better,” Better Shutdown Relief (Jan. 2019) (Shutdown relief emergency mortgage refinance services.)

The law firm of ZwillGen PLLC is offering interest-free loans of up to $750 for federal employees from some agencies who earn less than $70,000 per year. Learn more here.

Know Your Rights/Legal Need Assistance:

ACLU, Whistleblower and Protestor Rights (Jan. 10, 2019) (Your rights if you protest the shutdown and protections from workplace retaliation.)

dcist, DC Council Votes to Protect Feds From Foreclosure and Eviction During Shutdown (Jan. 22, 2019) (The D.C. Council voted unanimously to protect federal workers from creditors and landlords as the partial government shutdown passes the month mark.)

D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Advice & Referral Clinic (The Advice & Referral Clinic operates on the second Saturday of each month and provides individuals who do not have their own lawyer an opportunity to discuss with volunteer attorneys civil legal problems governed by D.C. law and federal matters heard in the District.)

D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Landlord & Tenant Resource Center (The Landlord Tenant Resource Center provides free legal information to both unrepresented landlords and tenants who have residential housing disputes in the District of Columbia.)

D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Consumer Law Resource Center (The Consumer Law Resource Center offers free legal assistance and referral to individuals on matters such as utility disputes, security deposit refunds, debt collection, contractor disputes, and other small claims cases.)

Online legal information and resources: www.lawhelp.org/DC

CLE:

ABA, ABA Cares 2019 (Jan. 10, 2019) (The ABA is offering 5 CLE courses free of charge. The offer is good through February.)

D.C. Bar, Free CLE Classes for Furloughed Employees (Jan. 10, 2019) (The D.C. Bar CLE Program is offering a FREE CLE class to furloughed employees during the month of January. The class may be taken either in-person at the D.C. Bar or by webinar.)

 

Food:

DC Eater, Shutdown Furlough Specials (Jan. 7 2019) (A list of DC area restaurants offering free and reduced price specials.)

 

Fitness:

Washingtonian, Government Shutdown Fitness Deals Around DC (Jan. 10, 2019) (A list of fitness deals in DC.)

 

Social and Professional Activities:

National Building Museum, Eviction Exhibit (The National Building Museum is offering free admission to federal employees.)

Washington Council of Lawyers, Free Events, including happy hours, in January and February.

Back To Top