Any idea if TSP loans are an option? I need to start looking into this if this goes on more than three paychecks.

Any pop up places to donate food to in order to help?

PP again, I'd also like to note how ridiculous this "no sympathy" stuff is next to the thread where most posters are saying you need to make at least $200k to live comfortably in DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a furloughed mid-grade fed with a decent emergency fund. I started out as a GS-5 park ranger making $16/HR five years ago, and took an office job for more money and stability. Most rangers are at the GS-5 or 7 level, with fewer at 9 and 11. It's hard enough to support a household in D.C. as a ranger, much harder when you're NOT GETTING PAID...a friend's wife got laid off in the fall, how much "emergency" are they supposed to prepare for? The maintenance workers who take out the trash on the National Mall aren't getting rich either. We're not ALL GS-15 lawyers believe it or not, the bottom of the pyramid is large in some agencies.

18:00 here. I'm also a furloughed fed in the bottom 20% of my agency-not a gs 15 attorney. Life is a series of compound choices. I don't eat out and I live well below my means because I know bad things like this or much worse can happen.

I read an article about a Fed who was complaining that he had to eat the food in his fridge instead of eating out. Look him up and hes making 115k.

Y'all can tell me to gfms, but I have no sympathy for this.

And living below your means at a low GS level, it takes a while to build up reserves, right? People have student loans, medical bills, etc. That slow them down. My friend whose wife was laid off makes less than half of 115k, pretty sure they're eating the food in the fridge. You can be very responsible and just not have that much money.

Not USAA this time around -
https://abcnews.go.com/US/usaa-traditional-safeguard-military-families-fire-denying-loans/story?id=60090846

Anonymous wrote:I'm split on this. I'm glad that there are resources available for people who need them.

On the other hand, I've been reading a lot of articles lately about how so many feds are out of money and need the government to reopen so they can get another paycheck to eat and pay rent. If you are living paycheck to paycheck as a Fed you are doing something very wrong.

-Fed who saved for (lots of) rainy days and doesn't need assistance

I absolutely hate the phrase “check your privilege” but I do think is appropriate in this instance. I started as a 22 year old fed making $18k a year with student loans. I am more than comfortable now but I remember those days and that not everyone has been as fortunate. Time to get out of your bubble.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a furloughed mid-grade fed with a decent emergency fund. I started out as a GS-5 park ranger making $16/HR five years ago, and took an office job for more money and stability. Most rangers are at the GS-5 or 7 level, with fewer at 9 and 11. It's hard enough to support a household in D.C. as a ranger, much harder when you're NOT GETTING PAID...a friend's wife got laid off in the fall, how much "emergency" are they supposed to prepare for? The maintenance workers who take out the trash on the National Mall aren't getting rich either. We're not ALL GS-15 lawyers believe it or not, the bottom of the pyramid is large in some agencies.

18:00 here. I'm also a furloughed fed in the bottom 20% of my agency-not a gs 15 attorney. Life is a series of compound choices. I don't eat out and I live well below my means because I know bad things like this or much worse can happen.

I read an article about a Fed who was complaining that he had to eat the food in his fridge instead of eating out. Look him up and hes making 115k.

Y'all can tell me to gfms, but I have no sympathy for this.

I am glad they are doing this. Shame on our government for screwing people like this.

I doubt all the Smithsonian or Zoo employees or TSA screeners are that well paid. I’m sure some people have emergency funds, but it’s easy to imagine that there are many who don’t.

I think USAA might have something for impacted workers. I know they have in the past.

I'm a furloughed mid-grade fed with a decent emergency fund. I started out as a GS-5 park ranger making $16/HR five years ago, and took an office job for more money and stability. Most rangers are at the GS-5 or 7 level, with fewer at 9 and 11. It's hard enough to support a household in D.C. as a ranger, much harder when you're NOT GETTING PAID...a friend's wife got laid off in the fall, how much "emergency" are they supposed to prepare for? The maintenance workers who take out the trash on the National Mall aren't getting rich either. We're not ALL GS-15 lawyers believe it or not, the bottom of the pyramid is large in some agencies.

Anonymous wrote:I'm split on this. I'm glad that there are resources available for people who need them.

On the other hand, I've been reading a lot of articles lately about how so many feds are out of money and need the government to reopen so they can get another paycheck to eat and pay rent. If you are living paycheck to paycheck as a Fed you are doing something very wrong.

-Fed who saved for (lots of) rainy days and doesn't need assistance

GFYS

Anonymous wrote:I'm split on this. I'm glad that there are resources available for people who need them.

On the other hand, I've been reading a lot of articles lately about how so many feds are out of money and need the government to reopen so they can get another paycheck to eat and pay rent. If you are living paycheck to paycheck as a Fed you are doing something very wrong.

-Fed who saved for (lots of) rainy days and doesn't need assistance

Get over yourself and have some compassion.

Anonymous wrote:I'm split on this. I'm glad that there are resources available for people who need them.

On the other hand, I've been reading a lot of articles lately about how so many feds are out of money and need the government to reopen so they can get another paycheck to eat and pay rent. If you are living paycheck to paycheck as a Fed you are doing something very wrong.

-Fed who saved for (lots of) rainy days and doesn't need assistance

Not helpful.
At my place of employment, most of the feds who are furloughed are the lower paid feds who aren't paid from industry fees. And all the contractors. There is no way these feds and other workers make enough money to save and live in the DC metro. I feel bad for them, not everyone who works in the DC metro is a GS 11 and up, and many have families. You should be ashamed of yourself pp.

There are several banks and financial institutions trying to offer options:
https://m.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2019/01/feds-facing-financial-hardships-during-shutdown-have-some-options-relief/153914/

OPM sample letters for creditors
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/423060-opm-tweets-sample-letters-for-furloughed-federal-employees-dealing-with

A couple restaurants in DC are offering free food
https://wtop.com/local/2019/01/shutdown-specials-dc-restaurants-offer-deals-to-furloughed-government-workers/

Restaurants feeding furloughed feds in other parts of the US:
https://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/article223872010.html

I'm split on this. I'm glad that there are resources available for people who need them.

On the other hand, I've been reading a lot of articles lately about how so many feds are out of money and need the government to reopen so they can get another paycheck to eat and pay rent. If you are living paycheck to paycheck as a Fed you are doing something very wrong.

-Fed who saved for (lots of) rainy days and doesn't need assistance

Sorry if there has already been a thread on this--I did not see one--but I thought we should post financial resources for furloughed feds.

Navy Federal is providing 0% loans equal to the amount of your last direct deposit paycheck for furloughed federal employees -- https://www.navyfederal.org/about/government-shutdown.php

You have to have direct deposit. We are Navy Federal members but use our Wells Fargo account as our primary account (and so don't have direct deposit into Navy Federal), but we will be changing this after the shutdown ends.

I think the Justice Credit Union is also providing assistance. Any others?