Moore announces additional assistance programs for federal workers

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Gov. Wes Moore announced additional actions taken to support Maryland’s federal workers during the continuing federal government shutdown, including free public transit and an expanded loan program.

“Extra financial cushion will help ensure our public servants aren’t left in the lurch,” said Moore, a Democrat. “But as I’ve said before, the only long-term solution is for President [Donald] Trump to come to the negotiating table in good faith and open the government.”

The U.S. is facing the longest government shutdown in its history, leaving federal workers without the necessary resources to pay their bills. Because of this, Moore has expanded the state’s loan assistance program for excepted federal employees to receive an additional no-interest $700 loan through the Maryland Department of Labor‘s Federal Shutdown Loan Program.

The Federal Shutdown Loan Program was launched during the second week of the shutdown, which began Oct. 1. As of Friday, over 2,200 workers have applied for loans, with more than 1,500 loan payments processed.

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“Our goal is to provide support to our dedicated federal workers as quickly and seamlessly as possible,” Portia Wu, the secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, said in a statement. “Federal Shutdown Loans can’t replace a paycheck, but they can help relieve some of the financial strain excepted federal workers are facing right now, as rent, insurance, and other bills come due.” 

According to senior officials from the Moore administration, furloughed federal workers are ineligible for the loan program, but can apply for unemployment insurance assistance. Over 5,000 people have applied for those benefits since the shutdown began.

Moore additionally directed the Maryland Transit Administration to provide free fare for furloughed federal employees on local buses, light rail, metro subway, and mobility and paratransit.

To access free transportation, workers will need to have an active CharmPass account. If the shutdown lasts beyond 30 days since their pass was issued, additional passes will be loaded onto their accounts.

Because the Trump administration did not provide the state funding for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, which supports over 13,000 Maryland residents, Moore also signed an executive order to bridge the gap, releasing $10.1 million from the state’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund. 

“Governor Moore is taking decisive action to keep Marylanders warm as winter approaches and the federal government shutdown threatens life-saving benefits,” Rafael López, secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Services, said in a statement. “No Maryland family should be left in the cold because the Trump Administration failed to perform its most basic duty.”

Eligibility for all assistance programs can be assessed at www.benefits.maryland.gov.