Here's Where NYC Federal Workers Can Get Govt Shutdown Deals

FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN — As federal workers enter their fourth week without a paycheck during the government shutdown, some New York City businesses are hoping to help them out with freebies and deals.

Now the longest in history, the partial government shutdown entered its 25th day on Tuesday as lawmakers try to reach a deal surrounding border security and President Donald Trump's request for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The shutdown has caused financial uncertainty for about 800,000 federal workers across the country, 4,700 of whom filed for unemployment in the last week of December, according to CNBC.

In New York, more than 900 furloughed workers applied for the benefit.

Some businesses and organizations in NYC have decided to do what they can to help.

In Fort Greene, the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Rose Cinema will give federal workers free movie tickets to the first screening of any film each day. John Lanasa, vice president of marketing and communication, said the cinema felt is was the least BAM could do to help.

"My heart goes out to the federal staffers who have been thrown into what is becoming a national crisis," he said. "They deserve our respect and support — not an unpaid, unplanned furlough...A free ticket to a film at BAM won’t pay the rent or cover child care but if we can provide them with a 2 hour respite, we’ve done our job."

The first show of each day was chosen because they are during the standard workday, Lanasa said. If there were more earlier screenings during the week they also would have been included.

Here are details about the cinema and other places workers can get deals:

• BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave: federal workers should show their employee ID at the box office and can not get the deal online. Showtimes are available here.
• Massage Williamsburg, Massage Greenpoint and Massage Outpost: Employees can schedule a 1-hour massage (value $120) through the studio websites or by calling their preferred location. Present your ID prior to the session. By appointment only, now through January 20. Offer valid at any location, one per client per location.
• Blu Cafe, 120 Riverside Blvd: Free coffee available for employees affected by the shutdown, according to a sign in the window.
• Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave, Astoria: Free admission to the museum during the shutdown with ID.

This article will be updated if more deals become available.

Photo by Shutterstock.