Government Shutdown: Resources for Federal Civilian Employees

Update: November 21, 2025 10:00 am

Status: We are actively monitoring the situation and available resources and will add to this page as we know more. Check back for future updates.

FEEA is ready to support our dedicated public civil servants who are facing furlough or excepted status during the government shutdown.

We will continue to update the lists below with both national and regional resources for your convenience. We offer these links for informational purposes only and do not imply an endorsement by FEEA for any specific products or services; FEEA bears no responsibility for the content or legality of external sites.

If you have been part of a RIF or DRP, please visit our layoff resources page for more information.

If you are aware of other resources not linked below, please share them with us at fedshelpingfeds@feea.org.

Please follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest information and updates.

Announcement
Attention Attention

FEEA’s Shutdown Grant program is currently closed

Government Shutdown Text With stars of Us Flag on blue background

FEEA’s Grant & Loan Programs

FEEA has both an Emergency Hardship Loan program and Shutdown Grants available for qualifying full-time federal civilian employees. It is important to note the differences between the two programs, notably:

  • The Emergency Hardship Loan program does not cover pay loss during a government shutdown.
  • The Shutdown Grant application is for direct-hire, civilian federal employees who are furloughed or working in excepted status, and whose current federal salary is $59,999 or less, including any locality pay ($75,000 or less for active employee NARFE members) Please click below for more program information. Application links are available only when the programs are open.

Learn more about eligibility and qualifying expenses by clicking on the programs below.

Shutdown Grants are currently closed. FEEA is not accepting new applications.

FEEA has been providing micro-grants of $150 to support federal employees impacted by the shutdown, covering essentials like groceries, gas, diapers, and other basic necessities.

  • When available, Shutdown grants are for full-time federal employees who are either furloughed or working in an excepted status, and whose current federal salary is $59,999 or less, including locality pay ($75,000 or less for active employee NARFE members). Please note: annual salary is determined by the amount shown on your LES, with any locality pay included. Eligibility is determined by FT or FTE salary as shown, regardless of the number of hours generally worked. Individuals may receive only ONE grant for the duration of this shutdown.
  • Applicants need a copy of their furlough or excepted status notice AND a copy of their most recent leave and earnings statement/paystub when you did receive pay. These documents must be in PDF, JPEG/JPG, or PNG formats only or we will be unable to open and review them. Most federal pay systems will allow employees to export a copy of a recent LES, which is preferred. If taking and submitting screenshots, the images must show the employee’s name and other identifying information, as well as current annual salary (or hourly pay rate for Wage Grade employees).
  • If approved for a $150 grant, applicants receive an email with instructions on how to access an electronic payment card. The card can be used online, or added to a digital wallet. Individuals may receive only ONE grant for the duration of this shutdown.
  • FEEA has received a high volume of applications and it may take our small staff a week or more to review applications and process payments. If you have already applied, please be patient, know we are working as quickly as possible, and please understand we do not have the capacity to return calls or emails asking about the status of a specific application. You can help ensure delivery of FEEA emails by adding emergency@feea.org to your address book.

FEEA’s no-fee, no-interest Emergency Hardship Loan program is a regular part of our year-round assistance to qualifying feds. Please note the qualifying factors and differences between our Shutdown Grant and our Emergency Hardship Loans.

Emergency Hardship Loans:

  • A qualifying hardship does not include pay loss during a government shutdown.
  • Available with eligible hardships, including: severe illness or self or immediate family members; death of immediate family member, major loss/damage to primary residence due to qualifying disasters; victim of domestic violence with immediate need for safe housing, victim of violent crime; victim of identity theft.
  • You must be a full or part-time permanent federal civilian or postal employee, employed with the federal government for more than one year.
  • Loan applications will require supporting documents such as SF-50, recent earnings statements, evidence of qualifying emergency, and copy of eligible bills you are seeking assistance with through the loan program.

For a comprehensive understanding of FEEA’s Emergency Hardship Loans, including specific eligibility criteria, maximum loan amounts, and permissible loan uses, we invite you to visit our loan page.

National Resources and Articles

Regional Resources and Articles

State by State Links to Unemployment Benefits

If a Government Shutdown occurs, your qualification for unemployment benefits might differ based on the length of the shutdown, your federal status, and the unemployment insurance criteria set by your state. The Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program aligns its benefits with each state’s Unemployment Insurance conditions. Below, we’ve added a link to each state’s unemployment’s office where you can learn more about state-specific eligibility guidelines.