Supporting Our Community During the Government Shutdown

We understand that the ongoing government shutdown has left many individuals and families facing uncertainty and financial hardship. Weston is committed to connecting our community with reliable resources and support. You will find information about local and national assistance programs, financial aid options, and services available to help those affected navigate this challenging time. 

We will update this page as more resources and information become known to us. 

Family Success Admin. Division of Broward; Offers emergency rent, mortgage and utility payments.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward; Emergency financial support, transportation  and food for low income families. 

The Pantry of Broward; Delivers food pkgs to low income seniors or grandparents raising grandchildren.

Area Agency on Aging Broward; Assistance for elderly and list of emergency food pantries across Broward.

United Way of Broward; Provides housing stability assistance if facing eviction. 

The Salvation Army Broward; Offers rent, utility and food assistance for struggling families. 

Feeding South Florida; Distributes food to families in need across Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.

Gateway Community Outreach; Emergency food, clothing and short-term rent or utility assistance. 

Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees; for furloughed federal employees. 

Help with Utility Bills (USA.gov); National and local programs for help with phone, internet and electric.

Lifeline Program (FCC); Discounted phone or broadband service for low-income households.

Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund; Emergency grants and loans to federal employees impacted by furloughs or shutdowns. 

NARFE - Shutdown Resources; Tools and financial guidance for federal workers impacted by shutdown.

BANKS and CREDIT UNIONS

Call your bank and see if they are offering any assistance program or offers such as a deferral of payments or waiver of late fees. 
For a large list of US Banks

Bank of America: Announced assistance available to furloughed Federal employees. Call the priority assistance line 844-219-0690.

Chase Bank: Chase announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. Here’s the special line they set up 1-888-356-0023.

Congressional Federal Credit Union: For more information on their Relief Line of Credit or any of their assistance programs, contact Member Service Representatives at 800-491-2328 or stop by a branch location.

Fed Choice: They’re offering a number of different options of assistance for existing and new members.

Interior Federal Credit Union: Is offering a special loan for both member and non-member furloughed Federal workers. Net paycheck up to $15,000, interest free up to 30 days. Members may apply for a limit up to the equivalent of two net paychecks. More offers are available on the site or call 800-914-8619.

Navy Federal Credit Union - Is offering a special loan program. Call 1-888-842-6328 to find out more.

Homebase Credit Union - Has relief options available to help those affected by the government shutdown. Contact Member Services at 804-452-0736 or stop by a branch to discuss plans tailored to individual needs.

PayPal - Has allocated $25 million to fund interest-free cash advances to furloughed Federal workers who need assistance right now. This is for both new and existing PayPal Credit customers. Minimum loan is $250 with a maximum cash advance of $500. Your account does need to be in good standing if you are an existing PayPal Credit customer. Existing customers call 1-877-689-1975. For new accounts, apply online, then after approval call 1-877-689-1975.

U.S. Bank: Will waive all late fees if you miss a mortgage payment due to the shutdown. Also mentioned they will defer first payment dates for new mortgages.

U.S. Employees Credit Union: USECU is offering shutdown loans, but only until Tuesday, January 15. Call (312) 922-5310 to learn more.

Synchrony Bank - Handles store cards for Amazon, Lowes, Walmart, JCPenney, Chevron/Texaco, and many other large nationwide companies that you might do business with on a day-to-day basis. They are allowing affected customers to defer payments until after the shutdown. Contact them for more information.

Union Plus: For union members, there are options available if you’re with Union Plus. Call them at (800) 472-2005 to ask about these offers: $300 Furlough Grant for eligible Union Plus credit card holders, Mortgage Assistance Loan and $300 Grant: payment grace period for Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance, payment grace period for Union Plus Auto Insurance, and payment grace period for Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance.

Wells Fargo - Has a few different options to help depending on the services you have with their bank.

SunTrust: SunTrust did not make a specific offer, but they did make a public announcement that they have programs in place to help clients affected by the shutdown.

USAA: is offering deferments for all loans and credit card payments.

Furlough Grants

FEEA-NARFE: FEEA-NARFE fund is offering $100 grants to active federal employee members who are not receiving a paycheck during the current shutdown due to being furloughed or working in excepted status. To apply, visit the FEEA website.

Thrift Savings Plan

TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into non-pay status. They do not require documentation about your furlough currently. Missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to go into default. Log in to your account to check your status or simply call the Thrift Line at 1-877-968-3778.

Mobile Telephone Service Providers

AT&T: Will assist with adjusting late fees, providing extensions, and revising payment schedules.

Sprint: Will provide short-term payment solutions. Call 1-888-211-4747

T-Mobile: Offering short-term assistance and can spread out service payments over time. Call 1-877-746-0909 or 611 from a T-Mobile device.

Verizon: Offering flexible payment options and has a Promise to Pay program to set payments for a future date. Call 1-866-266-1445.

Home, Auto & Life Insurance Relief

MetLife: For those not receiving a paycheck from the federal government because of the current shutdown, MetLife Auto & Home may grant a one-time, 30-day grace period on your payment of premium on a MetLife Auto & Home policy. Members must request this one-time allowance by calling 1-800-GET-MET8. Certain restrictions apply, and premium remains due after delay expires.

Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company: To help the nearly 27,000 AFGE members who currently have a policy with the company during this government shutdown, the company “will keep the policy-in-force by waving the cost of insurance charges for the next 30 days”. Policies beginning with the letter "Y" call: 844-800-9146, all other policies call: 888-513-8797

National Rental Home Council: Represents many of the nation’s largest operators of single-family rental homes. They’re offering deferred rent payment options with no late fees to any renter who has been furloughed.

Toyota Financial Services & Lexus Financial Services: Affected lease and finance customers in good standing with their accounts may be eligible to take advantage of up to two months of finance contract payment extensions or lease deferred payments. Toyota Financial Services call 800-874-8822 and Lexus Financial Services call 800-874-7050.

Hyundai Capital: Hyundai will extend all Hyundai Capital auto loans and lease payments for 30 days for current Hyundai owners who are federal government employees furloughed during the shutdown. Impacted consumers should contact Hyundai Motor Finance at 1-800-523-4030 to take advantage of this offer.

Kia Motors Finance: Kia has announced they’re offering deferred payments of 30 days. If you’ve been affected by the current Government Shutdown and need assistance from Kia Finance, contact 1-866-331-5632.

Ford Credit, GM Financial, & Mercedes-Benz Financial Services: It has been reported that these companies are among those providing qualified customers options such as payment deferrals, late fee waivers and special care lines to address their individual problems, though official announcements from these companies have not been released online.

Other Notable Mentions for Relief & Assistance.

Rent-A-Center (Benefits Plus Membership): If your account was up to date at the time of furlough and you are a part of benefits plus you may be eligible for a payment waiver based on your state: “Involuntary Unemployment Payment Waiver: Losing a job is hard and making payments while unemployed is even harder. Fortunately, your Membership waives your payments when you are involuntarily unemployed. Whether you were fired, laid off, suspended, or are out of work due to a labor dispute or strike, your payments are covered for up to four (4) months, up to $1,000, or when you’re able to return to work.”

Your School District: To save on food and ensure your kid eats breakfast and/or lunch free (less stress and worry for you), notify the district of your furlough. No income is an emergency and may qualify you for the free meal program.