Resources For Federal Workers Being Offered In Montgomery County

ROCKVILLE, MD — As the partial government shutdown drags into its fourth week — now the longest in U.S. history — Montgomery County officials and community partners are offering resources and financial assistance to impacted residents.

"We are committed to supporting our community members affected by the ongoing partial government shutdown," said Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Jack Smith. "From our previously established Dine with Dignity meal program to our upcoming employment open houses, we hope to provide continued support and to be a valuable resource to the furloughed families in our county."

Montgomery County, given its proximity to the nation's capital and other government facilities, is home to thousands of federal employees. Nationwide, about 800,000 federal workers haven't been paid since the government shut down on Dec. 22.

"It is abhorrent and unconscionable that 800,000 federal government employees and all of the contractors and business owners that rely on the federal government are being held hostage over the president's demands to build a $5.7 billion wall along the U.S.-Mexico border," Council President Nancy Navarro said. "Montgomery County remains open for business and we join with Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and our nonprofit partners to support our residents."

SEE ALSO: Government Shutdown Freebies, Deals For Federal Workers In DMV

Below is a list of community partners that are helping affected federal employees in Montgomery County, according to a press release:

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
Montgomery County Public Schools will be holding two employment open house for furloughed federal employees and contractors in January. Those interested can interview and apply for open positions in the school system, including teachers, substitute teachers, clerical staff, and bus drivers. Federal workers should bring their resume and government ID to the open houses. They will take place on:

• Tuesday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 45 W. Gude Dr., Rockville
• Friday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 850 Hungerford Dr., Rockville

The school system is also providing meals for affected students through its Dine with Dignity Program. The program, which was launched in November of 2018, enables students with negative account balances to eat breakfast and lunch for free. Click here for more information.

Montgomery College (MC)
"Keeping students enrolled in Montgomery College whose finances might have been impacted by the shutdown is a high priority," said Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard. "We will also continue to support students through our mobile food markets, food pantries, financial aid counseling and emergency funding through the Montgomery College Foundation. Nothing should stand in the way of a college degree."

The college is encouraging affected students to apply for financial aid and offering flexibility in financial aid processing. Students will also be able to register for the spring semester and keep their place in classes.

To learn more about the MC payment plan, or to resolve payment issues related to the government shutdown, click here.

Nonprofit and County Services
A Wider Circle, a nonprofit that provides basic necessities to those in need, has created a fund to support those who are impacted by the shutdown. Visit AWiderCircle.org or call 301-762-8682 to learn more.

Rockville-based Interfaith Works helps families in crisis and individuals who are homeless. The nonprofit posts updated assistance information on its website. Visit IWorksMC.org or call 301-762-8682 for more information.

Manna Food Center works to end hunger in Montgomery County. According to the organization's website, Manna provides food to 32,000 individuals each year and helps distribute rescued food to area soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters. For more information, visit MannaFood.org.

The Capital Area Food Bank will be holding a free pop-up market for government employees and contractors affected by the shutdown. Up to 250 people can get groceries when they present a valid government ID. From 9 a.m. to noon on Jan 12, the market will be at Giant Food located at 12051 Rockville Pike. For more information, click here.

Shepherd's Table, located in downtown Silver Spring, is distributing food and clothing to federal employees (or anyone in need). For more information, visit ShepherdsTable.org or call 301-585-6463.

Women Who Care Ministries in Montgomery Village is also offering food assistance to those in need. For more information, visit WomenWhoCareMinistries.org or call 301-963-8588.

Montgomery County's Health and Human Services' Eviction Prevention Program "provides crisis intervention assistance to qualified individuals and families," according to the county government's website. Services include emergency financial assistance and/or shelter to those who are homeless or at risk of losing housing. In addition, the Eviction Prevention Program "provides help for overdue utility payments and welfare avoidance grants are available for eligible temporary cash assistance applicants," according to the site. Call 311 or click here for more information.

The Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs in the County's Department of Housing and Community Affairs offers mediation assistance for landlords and tenants. To learn more, call 311.

The County's Office of Consumer Protection helps residents understand their rights and ability to cancel contracts. Call 311 for more information.

Unemployment Insurance Applications
If you are a furloughed federal employee, you can file for unemployment by calling 410-853-1700, contacting an unemployment insurance claim center, or using the Federal Civilian Employee Application for Benefits.

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)
County parks are open during the shutdown. Montgomery Parks' ice rinks, tennis centers, driving range, and permits office will also be offering federal government employees discounts. They are:

• 50 percent off skating admission at at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena
  • Furloughed federal workers' family members (limited to three) can also skate for free
• 50 percent off a bucket of balls at the South Germantown Driving Range
• 50 percent off a Spot Time court fee at Wheaton Indoor Tennis and Pauline Betz Addie Tennis
• 25 percent discount on permits and rentals while employees are furloughed

For more details, visit MontgomeryCountyParks.org.

Utilities and Financial Institutions
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) has suspended all water service shutoffs. In addition, the company will waive late fees and work with customers impacted by the partial government shutdown. To learn more, call 301-206-4001 or click here.

Like WSSC, PEPCO will waive late fees. Customers can call PEPCO to set up budget billing or change bill dates. The company also created a $50,000 matching grant. Call 1-800-643-3768 to learn more.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) customers who are concerned about payments should call the company at 1-800-685-0123.

To better assist its customers, Washington Gas is offering flexible payment options for affected government employees. Call 1-844-WASHGAS or click here for more details.

T-Mobile and Verizon are providing customers flexible payment plan assistance. Click here to learn more.

County officials are also urging residents to contact their bank, lending institution, or credit card company. Many of them are offering assistance on a client-by-client basis.

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