These groups are offering help to federal workers, many of whom are furloughed and won’t be paid during the government shutdown.<\/p>\n
We want to know your thoughts on the government shutdown. How are you and your family affected? Share your story \u2014 Send us a message or a voice note through the WTOP News app on Apple<\/a> or Android<\/a>. Click the \u201cFeedback\u201d button in the app\u2019s navigation bar.<\/p>\n Some companies and local governments in the D.C. region are offering help to federal workers, many of whom are being furloughed and won\u2019t be paid during the government shutdown.\n<\/p>\n Tens of thousands of federal workers are expected to be furloughed as President Donald Trump\u2019s administration also threatened mass firings over the shutdown.<\/p>\n Here are assistance programs and supports for federal workers and others impacted by the shutdown:<\/p>\n Utilities<\/p>\n Pepco and Baltimore Gas and Electric:\u00a0<\/p>\n Flexible payment options: Both companies offer payment arrangements up to 12 months and budget billing plans, according to a news release. Pepco and BGE said customers won\u2019t be asked to provide a government ID to get access to support.<\/p>\n Details from BGE can be found here<\/a>. Details from Pepco can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Washington Gas:<\/p>\n The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP<\/a>, provides grants to help families pay for their gas bills. The program application reopened Wednesday through the Department of Energy and Environment.<\/p>\n Virginia<\/p>\n Available support includes:\u00a0<\/p>\n Federal employees and contractors can\u2019t be evicted or foreclosed on during a federal government shutdown, under state law<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alexandria:<\/p>\n The city of Alexandria is offering short-term relief resources to residents and businesses, according to a news release from the city. Maryland<\/p>\n Available support includes<\/a>:\u00a0<\/p>\n Furloughed federal employees can apply for unemployment insurance benefits. They would have to pay back those benefits after the shutdown ends and they receive retroactive pay. WSSC Water:<\/p>\n Maryland\u2019s largest water utility will suspend service turnoffs and waive late fees for customers directly impacted by the government shutdown, according to a news release.<\/a> WTOP\u2019s Will Vitka contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
\nLate payment charge waivers: Affected customers can get a 30-day waiver on late payment charges in increments.
\nProactive resources: Pepco has an Assistance Finder tool<\/a> and\u00a0Single Stop<\/a>, which helps customers find programs they may qualify for. BGE has a self-service Assistance Finder<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nIn terms of enforcement relief, there are extended payment plans available to people directly impacted by the shutdown, though penalties and interest will accrue.<\/p>\n
\nFurloughed federal employees who are at risk of eviction or foreclosure can ask the court for a temporary pause. Unlike in Virginia, those protections don\u2019t apply to contractors.
\nThe state has protections in place to prevent electric and gas companies from shutting off service to furloughed employees who are missing bills. Those protections kick in on the eighth day of a government shutdown.
\nShould the shutdown continue, the Federal Shutdown Loan Program will open on Oct. 6. The program offers a $700 no-interest loan to impacted employees, which must be paid back 45 days after the shutdown ends.<\/p>\n
\nLyn Riggins, a WSSC spokesperson, told WTOP that customers of the water utility company are \u201cnot going to have to worry about a water service turn off,\u201d if they can\u2019t pay their bills during the shutdown.
\nRiggins said the water utility\u2019s Get Current program<\/a>, which offers forgiveness for a portion of a customer\u2019s bill, and which was to have wrapped up at the end of October, is being extended by a month.<\/p>\n