Meeting members’ needs as shutdown hits one-month mark

The federal government will remain shut down into November, increasing the financial hardships faced by hundreds of thousands of people not receiving paychecks. America’s Credit Unions’ Government Shutdown Assistance page is being updated with how credit unions are assisting members, sorted by state, and the survey for credit unions to share stories of assisting impacted members is still open.  

The Cornerstone League is highlighting ways its credit unions are not only helping members, but sharing those stories with legislators, including El Paso-based FirstLight Federal Credit Union, GECU, and Raiz Federal Credit Union joined Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, at a press conference focused on relief options for furloughed federal employees. Escobar urged affected workers to contact their credit unions. 

The Carolinas Credit Union League has an information page with resources for credit unions (including information on affected federal agencies), as well as the programs offered at individual credit unions in both states.  

The Maine Credit Union League has placed a special emphasis on its Campaign for Ending Hunger this year, especially with more than 172,000 Mainers that rely on SNAP assistance that will not be coming at the start of November. The campaign is aiming to raise $100,000 for food assistance in October.  

An America's Credit Unions blog post examines how Educational Employees Credit Union, which serves more than 392,000 members in Central California, activated its shutdown assistance program within the first hours of the shutdown.  

"We've learned from prior economic disruptions that members need both immediate financial options and clear, proactive communication,” said Mark V. Perez, EECU’s senior vice president of lending and marketing. “Each event reinforces our preparedness and strengthens our ability to respond compassionately and effectively in the future.” 

Heart of Louisiana Credit Union launched a Furlough Relief Program with three primary assistance options, and it was covered by CenLANow.  

“Heart of Louisiana was founded to support our members through both the good times and the challenges,” said Cindy Beauregard, CEO of Heart of Louisiana Credit Union. “If a paycheck is delayed, the bills do not stop. This program provides quick, practical relief so our members can focus on what matters most while we help them bridge the gap.”

American Heritage Credit Union, serving members in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has a Government Employee Furlough Assistance hotline open to assist members, and offers several assistance programs for members. These include fee and penalty waivers and refunds, skipping loan payments, lifeline loans, and more.