Emotional and practical assistance can help you navigate this uncertain time and protect your overall wellbeing. These resources are updated as new information becomes available and are as accurate as possible. However, due to the ever-changing nature of the situation, please note that some third-party providers may discontinue their services.
Food
FoodPantries.org - Search by zip code for local resources
FindHelp.org - Search by zip code for local resources
Feeding America - Food banks and resources, including programs for children and seniors
Flashfood - Mobile app allows users to purchase groceries at a significant discount, often 50% off or more, from partner grocery stores
Full Cart - This nonprofit partners with generous donors to cover the cost of food; register online to get it shipped to your door
Mutual Aid Networks - Find food assistance, such as community fridges, community gardens and soup kitchens
Olio - Free mobile app that connects neighbors to share surplus food and other household items, preventing them from being thrown away
Project Food Box - The program partners with health plans and healthcare providers to deliver "medically tailored" food boxes to eligible patients to manage conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and more
The Too Good To Go - Mobile app that allows users to buy "Surprise Bags" of surplus food from local businesses like restaurants, cafes and supermarkets at a significant discount
USDA National Hunger Hotline - Connects callers with emergency food providers in their community; 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479)
USDA Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program - Search by state; designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs
WhyHunger - Search by zip code for food pantries and soup kitchens
World Central Kitchen - Providing meals to federal employees and their families
AFL-CIO Community Partnerships and United Way - Supplemental food and nutrition programs, services for veterans and more; call 211 for assistance
If you are in immediate need of food assistance, please dial 211 from a phone and speak with a representative about the services available in your area. Lines are typically open 24 hours a day; however, not all areas provide 211 phone support.
Health and wellbeing
SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
GoodRx has services can help lower prescription costs
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Offers podcasts, resources and information on a wide range of topics
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society - Free and confidential services from a compassionate staff that understands the unique challenges of military life, providing immediate needs related to the loss of income from a government shutdown
Empower Work - Providing free, confidential counseling
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or dial or text 988, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit their website.
The Grief and Loss Toolkit also provides valuable information and resources for coping.
Financial assistance
America’s Credit Union - Resources, including credit union-specific information
Andrews Federal Credit Union - Offering financial assistance loan options, penalty-free share certificate withdrawals, skip-a-payment programs and other assistance with loan programs
Army Emergency Relief - Provides interest-free loans equal to the amount of one paycheck, up to a maximum amount of $6,000, for soldiers and families who experience financial hardship due to a lack of pay; 866-878-6378
BMO - Relief assistance includes waiver of monthly maintenance fees, non-BMO ATM transaction fees and overdraft fees; 888-340-2265
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance - Offering interest-free loans to help with bills, such as rent payments, insurance and child care; Coast Guard military and civilian employees may be eligible to borrow up to the amount of their monthly Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) as needed
Commerce Department Credit Union - Offering 30-day zero-interest loans for federal workers during the shutdown for up to $10,000; 888-626-9845
Congressional Federal Credit Union - Offering zero-interest Furlough Relief loans of up to $10,000 during the shutdown to all federal employees - you do not have to be a Congressional employee to join this credit union; 800-491-2328
FedChoice Federal Credit Union - Offering the equivalent of one month's net pay as the maximum loan amount, plus 60 days until the first payment in six, 12, 24 or 36-month repayment terms
Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA) - Has an Emergency Hardship Loan program and Shutdown Grants available for qualifying full-time federal civilian employees; FEEA is also offering microgrants of $150 to support federal employees impacted by the shutdown to cover essentials like groceries, gas, diapers and other basic necessities
First Command - Offering a zero-interest pay advance loan with no fees or interest charges
Lifeline - Can help eligible consumers pay for their landline or wireless phone service, or internet bill
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - Provides assistance to eligible low-income households with the goal of managing and meeting their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs
Navy Federal Credit Union - Offering zero-interest loans of up to $6,000 to its members and other federal government employees during the shutdown; 888-842-6328
PenFed - Offering zero-interest loans equal to the amount of missed paychecks for furloughed federal workers who are existing members and have their pay directly deposited to their PenFed account; 1-800-247-5626
VFW Unmet Needs Program - Available to active-duty service members and their families; provides financial assistance up to $2,500 to assist daily necessities in the form of a grant – not a loan – so no repayment is required
Children
Baby2Baby - A nonprofit that provides children in need across the country with diapers, clothing and basic necessities
The Free Formula Exchange - A nationwide mutual aid network connecting families who need baby formula to people who have formula to donate
National Diaper Bank Network - Search by zip code
Pets
The Pet Fund - Provides financial assistance for owners who cannot afford non-basic, non-urgent veterinary care
Paws 4 A Cure - Provides financial assistance for urgent veterinary care to dogs and cats in need across the United States
RedRover - Provides financial assistance grants and resources for animals in urgent need of veterinary care
Contact your local Humane Society or animal shelter by searching online. Many are providing assistance for food and care through specific programs.
Phone and internet
AT&T - Offering hardship support, flexible payment arrangements, deferred billing for wireless/TV/internet for customers with proof of impact
Verizon - Offering flexible payment arrangements for Federal workers, military and first responders
Career
CareerOneStop - U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration’s site provides a better understanding of unemployment funding opportunities for federal employees
wellfed - Offers three recurring weekly virtual programs designed to provide structure, support and momentum for professionals navigating career transitions
Travel
FlightAware - Provides information on delays and cancellations for flights around the country
Other resources
Contact 211 (United Way) - Resources for help finding options to pay your rent, mortgage or utilities bills and stay in your home
Freecycle - A grassroots nonprofit movement of people who are giving and getting stuff for free
HUD Exchange - Assistance for homeless veterans
Salvation Army - Search by zip code to locate utility assistance, food banks and shelters
Trash Nothing - Individuals can join for free and search by zip code to find free items
State-specific resources
Washington Gas - Providing energy assistance programs to help manage energy bills for residents of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia
District of Columbia
The Capital Area Foodbank - Interactive map with locations for emergency food assistance
Maryland
Maryland Crisis Assistance Program - Provides housing stabilization assistance to help residents avoid evictions, foreclosures and housing-related crises
Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) - Program helps low-income households with utility bills and energy costs
The Montgomery Food Council - Provides a list of local food resources and maps
Nourish Now - Offering food assistance in Maryland
Virginia
Arlington, VA - City-specific information and resources for the more than 25,000 federal employees
The Arlington Food Assistance Center - Providing access to free groceries for Virginia residents
Dominion Energy - Providing bill payment assistance to people facing hardships
Virginia Employment Commission - Offering guidance for furloughed federal employees
Federal employees and contractors can’t be evicted or foreclosed on during a federal government shutdown, under state law.
California
CARE/FERA Program - Low-income customers who are enrolled in the CARE program receive a 30-35% discount on their electric bill and a 20% discount on their natural gas bill
City of Oakland - Food distribution, school meal programs and restaurant partners
WIC Benefits - LA County - Women who are pregnant or with children under age 5 can still enroll for and receive WIC service during the government shutdown
Florida
Texas
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Provides cash payments to help families pay for food, clothing, housing and other essentials
Texas Department of Agriculture - Lists local food banks
The Texas Diaper Bank - Provides free baby diapers, wipes and adult diapers and incontinence supplies for seniors to families in San Antonio and nearby counties