Federal Government Shutdown Help For Families In Anne Arundel

ANNAPOLIS, MD — With gridlock extending the federal government shutdown to a record-setting 22 days on Jan. 12, Anne Arundel County has announced measures to help families who are going without paychecks. Coast Guard members — along with federal workers deemed essential such as air traffic controllers and security screeners for the TSA at the nation's airports — are still mandated to work.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan joined leaders in Virginia and D.C. on Jan. 4, calling for an end to the partial government shutdown. He sent a letter to President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. It was also signed by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

"As our federal employees and contractors experience a sudden loss of income, this not only causes financial hardship for individuals and families, but also deals a significant blow to our region's economy," Hogan, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote in their letter. "Hard-working federal employees and those who depend on them should not have to suffer because of this partisan standoff."

Below are a few agencies that can help residents affected by the furloughs. See the full list on the Anne Arundel County website under Federal Government Shutdown Assistance.

Maryland Legal Aid

Free legal assistance for qualified applicants, including foreclosure assistance, landlord-tenant, and debt collection issues (most non-criminal law matters).
(410) 972-2700/(800) 666-8330
https://www.mdlab.org/

On Thursday, Jan. 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., a Maryland Legal Aid attorney will be at the Glen Burnie Regional Library (1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie) and available for free legal consultations on various legal issues, including foreclosure, debt collection, bankruptcy, etc. Se habla espanol.

Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. (Mortgage)

Is the government shutdown impacting your ability to make mortgage payments? Call ACDS Today! (410) 222-7600 or visit the ACDS website.

Baltimore Gas And Electric

BGE reminds customers of important energy assistance programs. Programs tailored to help customers with temporary or extended hardships, including those impacted by the federal government shutdown.

For more information, visit the BGE Bill Payment Assistance page at: https://www.bge.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport/Pages/BillPaymentAssistance.aspx

Public Works (Water and Sewer Bills)

Customers with water/sewer bills over $200 may enter into a payment plan with the Office of Finance. With a payment plan in place, the customer's service will not be shut-off. The 10% late payment penalty fee for water/sewer bills may be waived two times a year. Residents can call customer service if they are past due on any of their county water/sewer or tax bills and ask for guidance.

More information or to view your bill can be found at: https://www.aacounty.org/services-and-programs/pay-your-utilitywater-bill

Recreation and Parks (Child Care)

Child Care Programs (before/after school) will waive the late fee and hold spaces until the end of the month of January. Please call (410) 222-7856 for questions. Information about child care programs can be found at: https://www.aacounty.org/departments/recreation-parks/child-care/index.html

Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families

The Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth and Families has available resources for those needing assistance. The phone number is 1-800-485-0041 and the hours of operation are between 8 AM – 5 PM Monday – Friday.

• Anne Arundel County Resource List
• Pantry List
• System of Care Brochure
• System of Care Brochure (Spanish)

Department of Aging and Disabilities

The Department of Aging and Disabilities can assist Federally furloughed families with services and resources for older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers through our local Maryland Access Point (MAP.)

MAP can be accessed by calling (410) 222-4257 (TTY users, call via Maryland Relay 711) to connect with the following resources:

• Nutrition/Grocery Assistance
• Home-Delivered Meals
• Utility Assistance
• Respite Care/Grandparent Grants for Caregivers
• Durable and Disposable Medical/Personal Care Equipment
• Medication Assistance
• Free Membership to Senior Activity Centers

More information available on the website: https://www.aacounty.org/aging

SPAN

SPAN is an emergency assistance agency located in Severna Park. They assist clients with court ordered evictions, utility turn offs, prescriptions and food. Eligibility is determined by the client's zip code - the zip codes we assist are on our website spanhelps.org.

Potential clients can call the office to determine eligibility and to learn what they need to bring to our office for assistance. SPAN is open 10:00 - 1:30, Monday - Thursday.

Anne Arundel County Public Libraries

In an effort to lighten the burden felt by many county residents, Anne Arundel County Public Library will waive fines incurred between January 4, 2019 through the end of the federal government shutdown for federal government employees, contractors and their families.

Additionally, we will not block library use for any customer for non payment of fines or send a customer to collections during the shutdown.

Affected customers should contact their local branch to have their fines waived. More information can be found at https://www.aacpl.net

Furloughed employees should also take advantage of the many free and valuable educational services available at the library including:

• Language learning through Rosetta Stone
• High quality skills training through Lynda.com courses
• Top rate films, documentaries and the Great Courses with Kanopy streaming services
• Engaging in programs in our libraries on topics ranging from gardening and wellness to genealogy and book clubs
• Free tax preparation with AARP
• And of course the more than 1 million books, eBooks, CDs, and DVDs we are known and loved for.

They noted the national capital region was home to more than 360,000 federal workers.

Maryland is tied for first with the District of Columbia and Hawaii for having the highest share of federal jobs, according to the study, and it's tied with D.C. and Virginia for the highest federal contract dollars per capita.

When the government shuts down, some federal workers perform their duties but don't receive a paycheck. Others receive furlough, essentially meaning a leave of absence.

While some Patch readers said they worked for the Department of Defense and were not affected by the shutdown, others said they were having to make a gamble.

"If I pay off my everyday credit card in full like normal, then I may not have enough to pay next month's mortgage. If I only pay the minimum on my credit card, then I get hit with interest," one reader wrote on the Odenton-Severn Patch Facebook page. "It's most probable that I will eventually get paid for the missing work, but even that's not guaranteed. I don't have the choice to take leave because that is against the law."

Non-essential federal employees are furloughed until the shutdown is over. In the past they have traditionally gotten back pay, but it isn't a guarantee.

Tens of thousands of workers in the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Prisons, Customs and Border Protection, Coast Guard and Secret Service are among those working for free at the moment, according to The New York Times. Most IRS operations have been halted.

Despite the government shutdown, the Internal Revenue says it will process tax returns beginning Jan. 28, and provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled. “We are committed to ensuring that taxpayers receive their refunds notwithstanding the government shutdown. I appreciate the hard work of the employees and their commitment to the taxpayers during this period,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a news release.

The longest shutdown in American history was 21 days during Bill Clinton's presidency. That impasse began in December 1995 and lasted into January 1996.

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton and Patch editor Elizabeth Janney contributed to this report.

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PHOTO: President Trump and leaders of the House and Senate meeting in the White House Situation Room on Jan. 2 via the Office of the President.