Government Shutdown Freebies, Deals For Austin Workers (Updates)

AUSTIN, TEXAS — As the federal government shutdown nears the month-long mark, businesses and organizations have stepped up to help relieve financial pressure felt by the 800,000 furloughed government workers, including those found in the Austin area.

Capital Metro is offering free rides to workers affected by the federal government shutdown, an effort that launched on Jan. 16.

The offer comes as the shutdown nears the one-month mark amid an impasse over funding for a wall along the U.S. southern border that Donald Trump wants built. There are nearly 13,000 federal government employee in the Austin area affected by the shutdown that's now gained the dubious distinction of being the longest in U.S. history.

"These employees serve our community and our country, and are in need of our support," CapMetro president and CEO Randy Clarke said in a YouTube video showing him flanked by drivers and other employees of the transit agency. "So this is our team's way of helping them."

He stressed the move was not driven by a desire to make political statement: "This is not about politics. It's being there for our community. Taking care of our neighbors in need is the right thing to do. Hopefully, this shutdown will end soon, but until then we're honored to help in this way. So hang tough, and we will all see you on board."

The offer is valid on bus, rail and Metro Access travel, Clarke noted. If you take them up on the offer, be sure to take along your government ID for verification.

CapMetro initially announced the move on Twitter:

The casual dining Italian food restaurant chain Fazoli’s — which has 216 locations in about two dozen states, including 15 in Texas with one in Austin — is offering its limited-time Pizza Baked Spaghetti dish to patrons who present government ID and purchase a drink. CEO Carl Howard categorized the offer as a small gesture of support to federal employees.

“We know what government workers make — they’re not the top income earners in America,” Howard said, as quoted by Market Watch. “For them to be placed in this position is tough, especially right after the holidays.” He called the Pizza Baked Spaghetti “really craveable,” while adding: “It’s not going to win any calorie award, but it’s really, really good.”)

The Fazoli's location in Austin is at 13201 FM 620 North. For other locations in Texas, click here.

TopCashback is offering furloughed workers and their families $20 towards purchases at Dollar Tree, officials said. Open to all new members of TopCashback, government employees will receive a free $20 towards Dollar Tree by clicking this link: https://www.topcashback.com/20-to-spend-at-dollar-tree-freebie/. This offer is valid until Feb. 17, 2019. To redeem, simply visit the link, click "Get Offer Now," create an account and proceed.

"Whether you're shopping for household essentials, personal or pet care, we understand the importance of saving money," officials said in a press release. "As the highest-paying cashback site, we want to ease the pain for Americans who are impacted by the government shutdown."

Also sweetening the deal for idled workers is renowned San Antonio-based pastry maker Bakery Lorraine, which recently expanded into Austin with its store at 11600 Rock Rose Ave. at the Domain Northside. During the shutdown, workers presenting their government ID are able to receive free brewed coffee and a pastry as a token of support.

The highly touted bakery has four locations in San Antonio:

• At The Pearl, 306 Pearl Parkway. #110, operating from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Telephone number: (210) 862-55827.
• The Rim location at 17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 108. Telephone (210) 415-4066. The site operates Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 pm.; Saturday 8 am. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Its Medical Center store, 7338 Louis Pasteur Dr., Suite 201. The location is open from Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The telephone number is (210) 303-0330.
• The Doseum location at 2800 Broadway St. operating Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. The telephone number for that location is (210) 212-4453.

Back in Austin, Punch Bowl Social at The Domain, 11310 Domain Dr., is offering a 25 percent discount on drinks, food and games to federal workers. The site is a bowling alley, bar and restaurant rolled into one. Oh, and there's also karaoke.

LifeSize is allowing users to create a free and unlimited account during the shutdown (no credit card required) toward the goal of helping workers maintain their face-to-face communication. "The ability to connect face to face is far too important to have it impacted by travel restrictions," the company said in a statement. "Create a free unlimited Lifesize account to use throughout the duration of the shutdown and keep your mission critical communications up and running.” Go to the download page and click here for more information.

Across the country (including Austin, naturally), PayPal is providing a $25 million in interest-free, cash advances to the 800,000 federal workers going without pay as a way to relieve immediate financial pressure, the CEO of the payment service wrote in a USA Today op-ed Friday.

“Starting immediately, PayPal is offering an interest-free cash advance up to $500, the equivalent of one week’s take home, for any existing or new PayPal Credit customers who are federal employees and are struggling to make ends meet,” PayPal president and CEO Dan Schulman wrote. "We're committing $25 million in interest-free cash advances to help U.S. federal employees impacted by the government shutdown. Please help us spread the word."

The process of requesting assistance and terms of repayment can be found on PayPal’s website. Those who qualify can expect to receive the money in their accounts in one to three business days, officials explained.

AT&T announced it would offer a measure of relief to its customers across the country who are affected federal employees. "We’re here to help ease the burden of trying to pay bills on time during the shutdown," AT&T said in a statement. "As long as the shutdown is in effect, our customer service team will waive late fees, provide extensions and coordinate with you on revised payment schedules."

Other wireless providers announced similar outreach:

• Sprint: "Our Care reps will coordinate with qualified customers and our financial team to find a payment option that works and keep your service uninterrupted during the government shutdown," Sprint said in a statement. Affected customers can call 888-211-4727 or embark in an online chat at www.sprint.com.
• T-Mobile: Short-term account assistance can be tailored to meet the needs of customers who are federal workers, T-Mobile announced. Such assistance includes deferred payments and "flexible payment options" enabling customers to spread service payments over a tailored time frame. Affected customers can call T-Mobile Customer Care to discuss options at 611 from a T-Mobile device or 877-746-0909.
• Verizon: Flexible payment options are being offered to affected customers, along with the option of setting up a "Promise to Pay" agreement via the My Verizon app or website. Those needing further assistance or in need of amplified information can call 866-266-1445.

In a similar vein (although not a "furlough freebie"), the U.S. Office of Personnel Management offered a correspondence template federal workers can use in negotiating with creditors during the shutdown. While arguably helpful, the outreach was criticized by Twitter users with comments aimed at the OPM's directive to consult personal attorneys for further guidance — a luxury of which many are unable to avail themselves.

Hill Country Community Ministries volunteers were at the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday, Jan. 18, distributing food to those in need —with a special invitation sent out to furloughed government workers. "We’ve got a wide selection.," officials wrote on Facebook. "Come check it out. We’ve got something for everyone!!" A representative told Patch the outreach is done every third Friday of the month, with the next one scheduled Feb. 15.

In neighboring San Antonio, the ideal of helping strangers in times of personal strife was dramatically illustrated by the city's Sikh community last weekend. As the shutdown entered its third week, the Sikh Center of San Antonio opened its doors in offering free vegetarian meals to affected workers.

"We are here to support those federal employees who are not getting their paycheck, and we really appreciate their services," Balwinder Dhillon, president of the Sikh Center of San Antonio, told News 4. "The least we could do is support them with a hot meal for the next three days," he added, referencing the meals consisting of freshly cooked vegetables, lentils and rice and tortillas.

Editor's note: Email antonio.cantu@patch.com to alert Patch of any other deals being offered federal employees in Austin amid the shutdown so we can include them in this story.

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