Government Shutdown Resources
Source: Southeast ADA Center
During the current federal government shutdown, we know many people are impacted. Furloughed federal employees rightfully receive a lot of attention, but people with disabilities and people with low income are also at risk and may be overlooked in the current situation. Housing may be at risk, you may experience food insecurity, or you may be faced with decisions that could affect your health.
Below is a list of resources to assist you during these challenging times. You may also email suggested resources to adasoutheast@law.syr.edu
Disclaimer: We will work to keep the webpage updated as new resources become available. The webpage will be available as long as the shutdown lasts. Accessibility cannot be guaranteed for external websites. The Southeast ADA Center provides this information as a courtesy and does not endorse, take responsibility for, exercise control of the organization, or monitor its website content.
Contents
Questions?
The Southeast ADA Center and the ADA National Network are here to answer your ADA-related questions and provide any other information and referrals that we can.
Call 1-800-949-4232 to connect with your regional ADA Center.
General Resources
Food/EBT/SNAP
- How the Government Shutdown Affects Your EBT and Food Stamp (SNAP) Benefits
Leer este artículo en español
Web: freshebt.com/government-shutdown-ebt-food-stamp-benefits/ - Food Talk: Eat Healthy & Stretch Your Budget
This website offers tips on how to stretch your FSNAP benefits over these extra weeks. This website was created for Georgia, but the information is useful for everyone.
Web: foodtalk.org - Hunger Free America’s Fed Food Hotline
Hotline: 1-855-859-4647
Web: hungerfreeamerica.org- Any employee of the federal government or a federal contractor — or any family member of such an employee — who is struggling financially as a result of the government shutdown, can call the toll free number 1-855-859-4647 or go to the website to find food resources (such as government food programs and private food pantries) near them and/or to be connected with anti-hunger volunteer activities so they can productively utilize their time off work.
- The toll-free line will have live operators answering calls Mondays – Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, and will take messages at other times.
- The hotline and web portal will be active as long as the shutdown lasts.
- USDA Clearinghouse and National Hunger Hotline
Do you need help finding food? Call this National Hunger Hotline:
English: 1-866-348-6479
Español/Spanish: 1-877-824-6273 - United Way 2-1-1
A free nationwide information and referral line that helps people find local resources they may be eligible to obtain 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 2-1-1 can be accessed by phone or computer.- A toll-free call to 2-1-1 connects you to a community resource specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations that provide critical services to eligible individuals
- Call 2-1-1 and speak with a live, highly trained service professional in your area from any cell phone or landline. All calls are private and confidential, and assistance is available in multiple languages.
- Or visit www.211.org to locate organizations in your community that provide support and assistance to working families in their time of need.
Web: 211.org - Find a local United Way in your community and learn about potential additional resources.
Web: unitedway.org/find-your-united-way/
Federal & State
- NASWA States Help Furloughed Federal Employees
Federal employees who are not receiving pay during the shutdown may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits through the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program (UCFE). This unemployment insurance benefit is administered by States, as agents for the Federal government. This webpage also includes links to more information on the shutdown, listed by state.
Source: National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)
Web: naswa.org/news/naswa-states-help-furloughed-federal-employees - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Funding Lapse Information
Pay and leave furlough guidance for federal employees.
Web: opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/#url=Shutdown-Furlough - Resources for Workers Affected by the Federal Shutdown
Scroll down for a list of resources for Federal workers.
Web: warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=2019-government-shutdown - My Fed Benefits Assistance Map
An interactive assistance map to help workers in every state find programs to support them through the shutdown.
Web: myfedbenefitshelp.com/assistance-programs-for-federal-employees-furlough-during-the-government-shutdown/
Financial/Banking
- Banks are Helping During the Government Shutdown
Source: American Bankers Association
Web: aba.com/Press/Pages/shutdown-assistance.aspx - Government shutdown: Resources for federal workers who can’t make mortgage or rent
Source: Valdosta Daily Times
Web: valdostadailytimes.com/news/business/deborah-kearns-government-shutdown-resources-for-federal-workers-who-can/article_19362ceb-6c3f-5c5b-a666-9845ce3acb82.html - If government shutdown has delayed your SBA Loan, do these 3 things
Web: business.com/articles/government-shutdown-sba-loan-tips/
Disaster Assistance
- FEMA – Individual Assistance
Web: fema.gov/individual-disaster-assistance - DisasterAssistance.gov
Source: FEMA – U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security - Videos: FEMA Frequently Asked Questions [YouTube – ASL, captioned]
Web: youtube.com/results?sp=CAJQFA%253D%253D&q=FEMA+asl+videos - SBA Disaster Loans & FEMA Assistance: How to Qualify & What to Know
Web: lendedu.com/blog/sba-disaster-loans-fema-assistance/
Southeast U.S Region
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Alabama (AL)
- Alabama Department of Human Resources
SNAP Resources for Furloughed Federal Employees
Early deposit date: On or before Sunday, January 20
Web: dhr.state.al.us - Government Shutdown: Free Food, Financial Assistance, Temp Jobs; How Furloughed Feds Can Find Help
There is a list of Alabama resources at the end of this article.
Source: AL.com
Web: al.com/news/2019/01/government-shutdown-free-food-financial-assistance-temp-jobs-how-furloughed-feds-can-find-help.html - Federal Employees Affected by Shutdown Can Apply for Unemployment Benefits (Alabama resources)
Web: fox10tv.com/news/federal-employees-affected-by-shutdown-can-apply-for-unemployment-benefits/article_0587fd4e-1450-11e9-b9b3-7723f1d6d2b3.html
Source: Fox 10 TV - Contact the Center for Independent Living near you for help with disability-related needs:
Alabama Centers for Independent Living
Web: adasoutheast.org/se_region/se_regionTemplate.php?st=AL#cat7
Florida (FL)
- Florida Department of Children and Families
SNAP/food stamp resources for Furloughed Federal Employees
Early deposit date: On or before Sunday, January 20
Web: myflorida.com/accessflorida/ - Duke Energy Offering Assistance to Federal Workers on Managing Bills (Florida)
Web: baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2019/01/17/duke-energy-offering-assistance-to-federal-workers-during-shutdown - Bay Area Companies Step Up to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown (Tampa Bay area)
Web: baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2019/01/16/bay-area-companies-help-federal-workers-government-shutdown - Shutdown: How to Get Help if You’re a Federal Worker (Orlando area)
Web: mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2019/01/16/shutdown–how-to-get-help-if-you-re-a-federal-worker - Contact the Center for Independent Living near you for help with disability-related needs:
Florida Centers for Independent Living
Web: adasoutheast.org/se_region/se_regionTemplate.php?st=FL#cat7
Georgia (GA)
- Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
SNAP/food stamp resources for furloughed federal employees
Early deposit date: Between January 14 – 15
Web: dfcs.georgia.gov - DFCS Georgia Shutdown update
Note: This webpage includes some information in Spanish.
Source: Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Web: dfcs.georgia.gov/faqs-regarding-partial-federal-government-shutdown - Georgia Gateway: Your Path to Social Services Benefits
This is Georgia’s new eligibility determination system for a number of social benefit programs. If you have trouble while using Georgia Gateway, please call the Online Services hotline at 1-877-423-4746. If you have a hearing impairment, call GA Relay at 1-800-255-0135. Our services are free.
Web: gateway.ga.gov/access/ - Nonprofits Offer Assistance to Furloughed Federal Workers
Georgians can call United Way 211 for help with food and other assistance. Just dial 211 on your phone. This video story has available captions (2:06 mins.)
Source: WSB-TV
Web: wsbtv.com/video?videoId=907545337&videoVersion=1.0 - Federal Employees Furlough Information (Georgia resources)
Source: State of Georgia Department of Labor
Web: dol.georgia.gov/federal-employees-furlough-information - Can Federal Shutdown Workers Get Unemployment Benefits? Yes … and No
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
Web: ajc.com/news/state–regional/can-federal-shutdown-workers-get-unemployment-benefits-yes-and/3hOqFT2nVtLlZAGW8PgawO/ - 2nd District of Georgia: Federal Government Shutdown: Frequently Asked Questions
Source: U.S. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Representing Middle and Southwest Georgia
Web: bishop.house.gov/services/additional-services-and-resources/disaster-preparedness - Atlanta Community Food Bank: Government Shutdown
Contact them if you need food assistance.
Web: acfb.org/government-shutdown - 13 Georgia Credit Unions Offering Government Shutdown Aid
Web: gacunews.com/cashless-generation/here-are-13-georgia-credit-unions-offering-government-shutdown-aid/ - Hosea Helps
Currently, Hosea Helps is providing supplemental food, rent and utility assistance during the government shutdown. Their website has a section specific to federal employees; scroll down on the home page to find it.- Services are provided: Tuesday – Friday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Address: 4215 Wendell Drive SW, Suite – I, Atlanta, GA 30336
- Phone: 404.755.3353 (Call prior to going to location.)
- Web: 4hosea.org
- Contact the Center for Independent Living near you for help with disability-related needs:
Georgia Centers for Independent Living
Web: adasoutheast.org/se_region/se_regionTemplate.php?st=GA#cat7
Kentucky (KY)
- Cabinet for Health and Family Services
SNAP/food stamp resources for furloughed federal employees
Early deposit date: On or before Sunday, January 20
Web: chfs.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx - Kentucky Food Benefits Customers to Get February Funds Early [PDF, 2 pages]
Web: chfs.ky.gov/News/Documents/nrsnapbenefits.pdf - Kentucky Association of Food Banks
Web: kafb.org - Contact the Center for Independent Living near you for help with disability-related needs:
Kentucky Centers for Independent Living
Web: adasoutheast.org/se_region/se_regionTemplate.php?st=KY#cat7
Mississippi (MS)
- Department of Human Services
SNAP/food stamp resources for furloughed federal employees
Early deposit date: On or before Sunday, January 20
Web: mdhs.ms.gov - Federal Office of USDA Food and Nutrition Service Mandates Early Issuance for SNAP Benefits
Web: mdhs.ms.gov/early-issuance-for-snap-benefits/ - Contact the Center for Independent Living near you for help with disability-related needs:
Mississippi Centers for Independent Living
Web: adasoutheast.org/se_region/se_regionTemplate.php?st=MS#cat7
North Carolina (NC)
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
SNAP/food stamp resources for furloughed federal employees
Early deposit date: On Sunday, January 20
Web: ncdhhs.gov - February Food and Nutrition Benefits to Be Issued Early Because of Federal Shutdown
Web: ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/february-food-and-nutrition-benefits-be-issued-early-because-federal-shutdown - North Carolina Benefits Information
Web: ncdhhs.gov/assistance/federal-government-shutdown - Frequently Asked Questions for NC State Agency Employees
Web: oshr.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2019/01/09%20/faqs-2018-19-federal-shutdown - Contact the Center for Independent Living near you for help with disability-related needs:
North Carolina Centers for Independent Living
Web: adasoutheast.org/se_region/se_regionTemplate.php?st=NC#cat7
South Carolina (SC)
- Healthy Connections Medicaid
SNAP/food stamp resources for furloughed federal employees
Early deposit date: Thursday, January 17
Web: scdhhs.gov - South Carolina Issuing February SNAP Benefits Early
Source: SC Department of Social Services
Web: dss.sc.gov/news/south-carolina-issuing-february-snap-benefits-early/ - Contact the Center for Independent Living near you for help with disability-related needs:
South Carolina Centers for Independent Living
Web: adasoutheast.org/se_region/se_regionTemplate.php?st=SC#cat7
Tennessee (TN)
- Tennessee Department of Human Services
SNAP/food stamp resources for Furloughed Federal Employees
Early deposit date: On or before Sunday, January 20
Web: tn.gov/humanservices.html - Important Information Regarding SNAP Benefits and the Federal Government Shutdown
Source: Tennessee Department of Human Services
Web: tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/important-information-regarding-snap-benefits-and-the-federal-government-shutdown.html - Are You a Government Worker Without a Paycheck? Here’s a List of Resources to Help (Nashville)
Source: News Channel 5 Nashville
Web: newschannel5.com/news/are-you-a-government-worker-without-a-paycheck-heres-a-list-of-resources-to-help - Contact the Center for Independent Living near you for help with disability-related needs:
Tennessee Centers for Independent Living
Web: adasoutheast.org/se_region/se_regionTemplate.php?st=TN#cat7
About the Southeast ADA Center
The Southeast ADA Center is one of ten regional ADA Centers in the ADA National Network — sponsored by grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — to promote voluntary compliance with the ADA, including information about the rights of people with disabilities and the responsibilities of businesses, as well as state and helpful resources.
The Southeast ADA Center is a grant project of the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University.
Follow our sponsor for more BBI Projects and BBI Research and Publications.
About the Burton Blatt Institute
BBI reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities, with offices in Syracuse, NY, New York City, Washington, D.C., Lexington, KY, and Atlanta, GA. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, a pioneering disability rights scholar, to better the lives of people with disabilities. For more information about BBI, visit: https://bbi.syr.edu.