Resources for Federal Workers

Updated 11/5/2025

Rabbi Widzer is available for counseling, conversation, and access to additional financial resources. Please feel free to contact him at any time at RabbiWidzer@tbs-online.org.

General Resources

Resources During the Government Shutdown, Washington Council of Lawyers

Government Shutdown: Resources for Federal Civilian Employees, Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund

Government Shutdown Resource Page, Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE)

2025 Shutdown Assistance Map- Resources for Federal Employees, MyFEDBenefits

George Mason University is offering free tickets to select performances for federal employees and contractors affected by the government shutdown. To get tickets, visit or call the box offices at the Center for the Arts, Harris Theatre, or Hylton Performing Arts Center and provide proof of employment. The offer is limited to two tickets per person per event, subject to availability, and cannot be used for previously purchased tickets. 

SNAP Update for Virginia Residents (as of October 30)

Virginia will launch a new program called VENA (Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance) to ensure food benefits continue for all SNAP recipients.

• Funds will be added weekly (not monthly) to EBT cards
• Distribution will follow the same order as usual, with only slight date shifts (November 3, 5, and 7)
• No need to reapply — benefits will appear automatically

For more information about VENA, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website where updates and detailed guidance on VENA will be posted. 

Fairfax County is ready to help. For food or financial assistance:

• Call Basic Needs Assistance (CSP) at (703) 222-0880
• Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Emergency Food Access Map
• Department of Family Services
• Health and Human Services

Because SNAP is funded at the federal level and supervised by the state, Fairfax County cannot control or change when SNAP funding will be released. Other programs like Medicaid & LIHEAP are not currently impacted.

Read more:

• SNAP Updates from Fairfax County Department of Family Services
• VENA Press Release from Governor Youngkin
• General Fairfax County SNAP Impact Updates

Food & Grocery Distribution

Capital Area Food Bank is responding to the increased need from federal workers and contractors in the area due to the shutdown with special supplemental distributions to assist federal workers and contractors.

They are holding drives at their existing sites in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. They will be providing 150 boxes of shelf-stable goods and an equivalent number of boxes of produce. Depending on traffic, they will scale up the following week if the shutdown is still ongoing. To receive food, visitors will need to show a government work ID.

Virginia United Community (7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria); Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m

United Community (7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria); Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m

Capital Area Food Bank's Hunger Lifeline offers personalized recommendations to community food resources, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., over the phone at (202) 644-9807. There is also an interactive map with all local emergency food assistance programs and sites (available in Spanish too).

More information on where neighbors can access free groceries and other assistance can be found on the Capital Area Food Bank's website.

Payments

Mortgage/Rent

• Federal employees and contractors can’t be evicted or foreclosed on during a federal government shutdown, under state law.

Interest Free Loans

• https://www.hebrewfreeloandc.org

Personal Property Tax

• In response to the shutdown, Fairfax County has extended the deadline for residents to pay their personal property tax.
• Residents have until Wednesday, November 5, to pay without penalties.

Utilities

• Basic Needs Assistance connects Fairfax County residents to County and community-based services and resources, call (703) 222-0880, TTY 711
• Call Dominion Energy at (866) 366-4357 to ask for short-term payment extension
• Call 2-1-1 for information available for help with rent, utilities, housing services, clothing, jobs, health services, and other needs from anywhere in Northern Virginia, 24/7

Phone Carriers

AT&T

• Customers affected by the shutdown are eligible for flexible payment options to keep service including cellphones, television and internet running
• Make payment arrangements online or call 6-1-1 from an AT&T mobile phone or (800) 331-0500

T-Mobile

• Short-term account assistance for customers who are federal workers including payment deferral and “flexible payment options” that allow customers to spread their service payments over time
• Customers can call T-Mobile Customer Care to discuss options at 6-1-1 from a T-Mobile device or (877) 746-0909 from any phone

Verizon

• Flexible payment options and a “Promise to Pay” program that can be set up in the My Verizon app or website
• Further assistance is available by calling (866) 266-1445

Resource Websites

• Fairfax County Shutdown Resource Guide (specific to this shutdown)
• Fairfax County Resource Guide (available year-round)
• Secretary of the Commonwealth's Federal Employee Resource Guide

*For members only, Rabbi Widzer is available for counseling, conversation, and access to additional financial resources.