The FONA Pathway
Best Available Resource — Verified March 2026
⭐ Open to All Federal Workers — No Prior Membership Required
⚠
Back pay is coming Monday — but your debts don't disappear with a deposit. The executive order covers ongoing pay and back pay, but workers who took out loans, maxed credit cards, or missed bills during 41 days without a paycheck still need this bridge. Apply for the FONA pathway now to cover what you owe. If you repay within 60 days, you pay zero interest.
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. Congress left for Easter recess on March 27 without resolving the shutdown. Senators return April 10. The window to demand they pass the Shutdown Fairness Act before the next crisis is open right now. Call your senator during recess — their district offices are open.
What Happens Next — Timeline
Mar 27
Congress left for Easter recess. No legislative action possible.
Mar 27–28
✅ Executive order signed by Trump. DHS confirms back pay arriving Monday, March 30.
Mar 30
✅ TSA back pay expected via direct deposit. Check your account Monday morning.
Apr 4
Easter — Congress in recess, no action possible.
Apr 10
Congress returns. Full DHS funding fight resumes. Make your calls now.
⚠The executive order is a band-aid, not a fix. TSA workers are being paid via redirected funds — a legally contested mechanism that could be challenged in court. FEMA, Coast Guard, and CISA workers are still unpaid. Congress returns April 10 with no deal in place. The Shutdown Fairness Act would permanently guarantee all federal workers are paid on time during any future shutdown, closing this loophole forever. AFGE President Kelley said it plainly: "pass the Shutdown Fairness Act so that no politician, of either party, can ever hold a public servant's paycheck hostage again." Call your senator during recess. This is the fight that matters now.
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
✅ Updated — March 28, 2026
Executive Order Signed — What It Means & What Comes Next
Trump signed the executive order Friday, March 27. DHS confirmed paychecks start arriving Monday, March 30. Here's the full, honest picture:
✅ SignedFriday, March 27 — order is official
💵 Back payStarting Monday, March 30 via direct deposit
✅ What it coversTSA officers — back pay + ongoing pay
❌ What it doesn't coverFEMA, Coast Guard, CISA — still unpaid
⚠ Shutdown statusNot over — Congress returns April 10, no deal passed
💡 What to do nowUse this toolkit to manage debt from 41 days without pay
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
More Resources
Detailed Pages
🤝
NYC Union Contacts
Direct contact info for AFGE Local 2222 at JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia — including the Council 100 President and AFGE national media contact.
View Contacts →
⚡
Take Action
Concrete next steps for union leaders, TSA workers, everyday travelers, credit unions, press, and elected officials — 4 actions per group.
Choose Your Role →
📨
A Message to Union Leaders
Why we built The Frontline Fund, what we're building next, and our three asks — none of which cost you anything.
Read the Pitch →