The FONA Pathway
Best Available Resource — Verified March 2026
⭐ Open to All Federal Workers — No Prior Membership Required
Donate Any Amount.
Access Up to $10K.
Access Up to $10K.
Congressional Federal Credit Union offers a 0% APR Relief Line of Credit for 60 days to all members — and any federal worker can qualify by donating any amount to the Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA). That means for the price of a single dollar, a TSA worker unlocks access to a $10,000 credit line with no interest for 60 days. This is the least-known, highest-value resource available right now.
STEP 01
Donate Any Amount to FONA
Even $1 qualifies. Visit fona.org — donate to become a member instantly.
STEP 02
Join Congressional FCU
FONA membership = eligibility. Call 800-491-2328 or apply at congressionalfcu.org.
STEP 03
Apply for Relief Line of Credit
0% APR for 60-day draw period. Then 4% APR fixed for 36 months on remaining balance.
STEP 04
Repay When Back Pay Arrives
Repay within 60 days and you pay zero interest. Back pay is legally guaranteed.
⚠ Read the fine print: The 0% rate applies only during the 60-day draw period. After day 60, a 4% APR applies to the remaining balance for up to 36 months. Repay within 60 days and you owe nothing in interest. All credit subject to approval. Call 800-491-2328 to confirm current terms before applying.
Call Your Senator
The Permanent Fix — Bipartisan Bill in Congress Now
H.R.5801 / S.3012 · 119th Congress · Formally Endorsed by AFGE
The Shutdown Fairness Act
Introduced January 16, 2026 by Reps. Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) — this bipartisan bill requires federal agencies to continue paying workers on time during any shutdown. No new spending. No political conditions. Just a guarantee that paychecks don't stop. It also bars mass firings during shutdowns. AFGE and 6 other major labor organizations have formally endorsed it. March 27 is the last day Congress is in session before a two-week Easter recess. The window is closing.
⚠Critical context: The Trump administration has actively argued that back pay is NOT automatically guaranteed. Congress reaffirmed it in the February CR — but this loophole needs to be closed permanently. The Shutdown Fairness Act does that. This is AFGE's #1 legislative priority right now.
NYC Union Contacts
3 Locals · JFK / EWR / LGA
ℹAll three NYC airports fall under AFGE TSA Council 100. The Council 100 President is based at JFK — making this a direct line to the most senior TSA union leader in the country outside national HQ.
🔴 Start Here
✈ JFK International Airport
AFGE Local 2222
Council 100 President's Home Local · JFK + Newark Region
◎Council 100 President is Local 2222 president — the most senior TSA union leader in the U.S.
◎Local website: afgelocal2222.org
◎Council 100 national: afgecouncil100.org
◎AFGE national: (202) 737-8700
◎Media contact: Tim Kauffman · (202) 374-6491 · [email protected]
🟡 Region 1 VP
✈ Newark Liberty International (EWR)
AFGE Local 2222 — Newark Chapter
Council 100 Region 1 VP · Covers Entire Northeast
◎Newark falls under Local 2222 — one contact reaches the entire NE region
◎Contact via Local 2222: afgelocal2222.org
◎Council 100 contact: afgecouncil100.org/contact
🔵 Via Council 100
✈ LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
AFGE TSA Council 100 — LGA
AFGE District 4 · NY State Federal Workers
◎LGA TSA officers covered by Council 100 — reach via District 4 or Council 100 national
◎TSA contact form: afge.org TSA Contact
◎AFGE national: (202) 737-8700
Member Resource Toolkit
Verified Programs — Loans · Food · Housing · Utilities
⚠Leniency is running out. This is the third shutdown in six months. Creditors who waived fees twice before are doing so far less readily now. Tell members: contact lenders before a payment is due — and in writing.
💳 Loans
🍎 Food
🏠 Housing
⚡ Utilities
📋 Other
ℹPrograms marked "existing members only" require prior membership. The FONA pathway and Congressional FCU below are the most accessible for workers with no current credit union relationship.
Relief Line of Credit
Congressional Federal Credit Union
0% APR for 60-day draw period, then 4% fixed for 36 months. Any federal worker qualifies via FONA membership (donate any amount at fona.org). Best option for workers with no existing credit union relationship. See the FONA Pathway above for step-by-step instructions.
AccessOpen to all via FONA ($1+)
Rate0% for 60 days, then 4%
Phone800-491-2328
Zero-Interest Loan
Navy Federal Credit Union — Paycheck Assistance
0% APR loan for existing members who are federal workers. Call to confirm if new member eligibility applies — this varies by program period. One of the fastest approvals for current members.
AmountUp to $6,000
Rate0% APR
AccessMembers — confirm eligibility
Phone888-842-6328
0% Loan — 90 Days
US Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU)
$5,000 relief loan, 0% interest for 90 days — interest waived entirely if repaid within 90 days. Warning: if not repaid within 90 days, all accrued interest backdates at 5.99% APR. Any federal worker can join via American Consumer Council membership.
AmountUp to $5,000
Rate0% for 90 days
⚠ After 90 days5.99% APR backdates
Phone800-374-2758
No-Interest Loan
USAA — Government Shutdown Program
No-interest loan for existing USAA members with federal direct deposit. Also offers payment relief on auto and property insurance. Members only — no path for new members.
Amount$500 – $6,000
Rate0%
AccessExisting members only
Phone210-531-8722
Paycheck Protection
PenFed Credit Union
Zero-interest loan equal to missed paycheck for members with direct deposit. Also offers 1-month skip-a-payment on qualifying loans and home loan hardship assistance.
AmountMissed paycheck equiv.
Rate0%
AccessMembers w/ direct deposit
Phone1-800-247-5626
Emergency Grant
FEEA — Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund
One-time $150 emergency grant — not a loan, no repayment required. For employees earning $59,999 or less working unpaid. Small but instant with zero strings attached.
Amount$150 — free money
Income cap$59,999 or below
RepaymentNone — it's a grant
Interest-Free Loan
FedSupport Hub — Partnership for Public Service
Interest-free loans for federal employees affected by the shutdown. Run by the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service. One of the more accessible programs for workers without existing credit union membership.
AmountUp to $7,500
Rate0%
AccessAll federal employees
Food Bank
Food Bank For New York City
NYC's largest food relief org with 750+ programs across all five boroughs. Federal workers experiencing income disruption qualify immediately. No documentation required at most pantries.
Phone866-888-8777
CostFree
National Network
Feeding America — ZIP-Code Food Bank Finder
Use the locator to find the nearest food bank to any NYC airport or to a member's home address instantly. No prior registration required.
CoverageAll NYC ZIP codes
CostFree
School Meals
NYC Free School Meals — Emergency Enrollment
Income disruption due to shutdown qualifies a household for free meals for children immediately. Contact the school district directly — this is one of the fastest, most overlooked resources.
EligibilityIncome disruption qualifies
ActionContact school directly
Airport On-Site
Airport Food Drives — JFK / EWR / LGA
Multiple U.S. airports (Seattle, Denver, Dallas) have opened on-site food pantries for TSA workers. Contact Port Authority of NY/NJ directly to advocate for this at NYC airports.
StatusConfirm with Port Authority
⚠Act before receiving a notice. Many NYC protections require proactive outreach before an eviction or foreclosure is filed. Waiting significantly limits options.
Mortgage Relief
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac — Forbearance
Both agencies have instructed servicers to offer forbearance and waive late fees for federal workers. Contact servicer proactively before the payment is due — and reference the shutdown in writing.
TypeForbearance / deferral
ActionCall before due date
Emergency Rental Assistance
NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
NYC HRA offers emergency rental assistance for residents facing income disruption. Federal workers experiencing shutdown-related hardship may qualify. Contact before an eviction notice is filed.
Phone718-557-1399
ActionBefore eviction notice
Free Legal Help
Legal Services NYC (Eviction Defense)
Free legal representation for NYC residents facing eviction. If a member has already received an eviction notice, this is the first call. Free, no income qualification required in many cases.
CostFree
Phone917-661-4500
Benefits Screener
Access NYC — 30+ Benefits in 5 Minutes
NYC's official tool screens eligibility for 30+ city and state benefits — cash, childcare, healthcare, housing and more. Available in 11 languages. Best first stop for any member needing help.
Programs30+ benefits
Languages11
CostFree
Electric & Gas
Con Edison — Hardship Payment Arrangement
Con Edison offers extended payment arrangements and shutoff protections for customers facing financial hardship. Notify Con Ed of shutdown status in writing before a bill is overdue.
Phone800-752-6633
ActionCall before bill is due
Energy Assistance
HEAP — NY Home Energy Assistance Program
New York State heating and utility assistance program. Income disruption from the shutdown may qualify workers for emergency HEAP benefits. Apply through NY State OTDA.
Phone800-342-3009
Administered byNY State OTDA
Internet Access
NYC Connected — Free & Low-Cost Internet
NYC provides free and low-cost internet access for residents in financial hardship. Important for workers applying for assistance programs from home.
CostFree / low-cost
CoverageAll NYC residents
Retirement Fund
TSP Loan — Auto-Protected During Shutdown
TSA workers with a Thrift Savings Plan loan remain in good standing even without payments. New TSP loans can also still be requested. No credit check required — frequently overlooked.
Existing loansAuto-protected
New loansStill available
Credit Protection
CFPB — Credit Reporting Dispute Guidance
Federal workers can dispute negative credit marks from shutdown-related missed payments. The CFPB has urged lenders to work with affected workers. File a complaint if a missed payment appears on a credit report.
Phone855-411-2372
ActionFile dispute immediately
All-In-One Search
FindHelp.org — NYC Social Services by ZIP
The nation's largest social care network. Search by ZIP code for every available program near any NYC airport — food, housing, financial aid, childcare, healthcare. Free and anonymous.
CoverageZIP-code based
CostFree — anonymous
A Message to Union Leaders
From The Frontline Fund
"The House and Senate have had weeks to fix this and they have barely been in the same building. Members of Congress have walked past our TSA members at airport security checkpoints more often than they've met to negotiate."
— Everett Kelley, AFGE National President · March 2026
We built this toolkit because you're right — and because your members are running out of runway. Officers are sleeping in their cars, selling plasma, and handing in badges they earned. We're not here to pitch you a platform or tell you how to do your job. We're here because the resource navigation problem is real, it's solvable, and you deserve a partner who shows up before being asked.
We're building The Frontline Fund — a free, mobile-first tool that matches any TSA worker to their best available resources in under 90 seconds, and a permanent coalition of credit unions that pre-commits to activating on Day One of any future shutdown. No blockchain. No catch. Just a faster, cleaner version of what your team is already trying to do manually, with no staff and no budget.
Three asks — none of them cost you anything:
ASK 01
20 Minutes of Your Time
Tell us what your members actually need and what's not working. We build around your reality, not ours.
ASK 02
One Email to Your Chapter
Send the FONA pathway to your distribution list. It could put $10,000 in a member's hands this week, zero interest.
ASK 03
Tell Us What We Got Wrong
If any resource on this page is inaccurate or doesn't work for your members, we want to fix it today, not eventually.
We're not the solution to this shutdown. Congress is. But until they act, we can make sure every TSA worker in New York knows exactly where to turn — before they take out a payday loan, before they hand in their badge.