Active Threat Tracker
4 Known Risks to Member Paychecks — Updated June 2026
⚠The window is open — for now. All agencies are funded through September 30, 2026. That is roughly 116 days. Congress has not passed FY2027 appropriations. Based on three consecutive years of October 1 lapses, plan for disruption.
HIGH RISK
⚡ Sept 30, 2026 Funding Cliff
All FY2026 appropriations expire Sept 30. FY2027 bills not passed. Three consecutive October 1 lapses — DHS is the most likely partial-shutdown target again.
→ Action now: Enroll members in credit unions. Don't wait.
MEDIUM · LONG FUSE
🔄 TSA Privatization Proposal
FY2027 budget proposes cutting 8,400 TSA positions. Private screeners lose FERS retirement benefits. Congressional opposition is bipartisan but FY2027 markups are where it gets real.
→ Monitor: FY2027 DHS appropriations subcommittee.
ONGOING · LEGAL
⚖ Back Pay Guarantee Dispute
The White House has not changed its position that GEFTA doesn't automatically guarantee back pay. Congress reaffirmed it in CRs — but officers who resign forfeit all back pay rights.
→ Key message: Do NOT resign during a shutdown.
WATCH
🔍 ICE/CBP Funding Gap
The April 30 deal excluded ICE and CBP. Congress is attempting to fund those agencies via reconciliation. A stall creates another agency-specific lapse template.
→ Monitor: Senate reconciliation votes on DHS immigration funding.
Call Your Senator
The Permanent Fix — Push Before Sept 30
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) — requires federal agencies to continue paying workers on time during any shutdown. No new spending. No political conditions. Rep. Walkinshaw (D-VA) reintroduced the True Shutdown Fairness Act in February 2026, extending protections to contractors. September 30 is the last best legislative window this Congress.
⚠Critical: The Trump administration has actively argued back pay is NOT automatically guaranteed. Congress reaffirmed it in the February and April CRs — but the White House legal position has not changed. The Shutdown Fairness Act closes this permanently.
Member Resource Toolkit
Verified Programs — Loans · Food · Housing · Utilities
⚠Leniency is running out. This is the third shutdown in six months. Tell members: contact lenders before a payment is due — and in writing. Proactive outreach works; reacting after a miss does not.
💳 Loans
🍎 Food
🏠 Housing
⚡ Utilities
📋 Other
ℹPrograms marked "existing members only" require prior membership. The FONA pathway is the most accessible for workers with no current credit union relationship. Enroll now — before a shutdown.
Relief Line of Credit
Congressional Federal Credit Union
0% APR for 60-day draw period, then 4% fixed. Any federal worker qualifies via FONA ($1+ donation). Best option for workers with no existing credit union relationship.
AccessOpen to all via FONA
Rate0% for 60 days, then 4%
Phone800-491-2328
Zero-Interest Loan
Navy Federal Credit Union
0% APR loan for existing members who are federal workers. One of the fastest approvals for current members. Enroll now if not yet a member.
AmountUp to $6,000
Rate0% APR
Phone888-842-6328
0% Loan — 90 Days
US Senate Federal Credit Union
$5,000 relief loan, 0% for 90 days — interest waived entirely if repaid in time. Warning: if not repaid within 90 days, all accrued interest backdates at 5.99% APR.
AmountUp to $5,000
Rate0% for 90 days
⚠ After 90 days5.99% 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.
Amount$500–$6,000
Rate0%
Phone210-531-8722
Shutdown Assistance
FEEA — Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund
FEEA periodically offers shutdown assistance to eligible unpaid federal employees. Program availability and eligibility change by funding lapse, so review the current guidance before applying.
AvailabilityConfirm current program
Phone202-554-0007
Interest-Free Loan
FedSupport Hub — Partnership for Public Service
Interest-free loans for federal employees affected by the shutdown. Accessible for workers without existing credit union membership.
AmountUp to $7,500
Rate0%
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
Find the nearest food bank to any NYC airport or member's home address. No prior registration required.
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 directly — one of the fastest overlooked resources.
EligibilityIncome disruption qualifies
⚠Act before receiving a notice. NYC protections require proactive outreach before an eviction or foreclosure is filed.
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 in writing.
ActionCall before due date
Emergency Rental Assistance
NYC Human Resources Administration
NYC HRA offers emergency rental assistance for residents facing income disruption. Contact before an eviction notice is filed.
Phone718-557-1399
Free Legal Help
Legal Services NYC — Eviction Defense
Free legal representation for NYC residents facing eviction. 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 in 11 languages. Best first stop for any member needing help.
Programs30+ benefits
Languages11
Electric & Gas
Con Edison — Hardship Payment Arrangement
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
Energy Assistance
HEAP — NY Home Energy Assistance Program
New York State heating and utility assistance. Income disruption from shutdown may qualify workers for emergency HEAP benefits.
Phone800-342-3009
Retirement Fund
TSP Loan — Auto-Protected During Shutdown
TSA workers with a TSP loan remain in good standing even without payments during a shutdown. New TSP loans can still be requested — no credit check. Another reason not to resign: you lose TSP contributions accrued.
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. Act within 30 days of back pay arriving — timing is critical.
Phone855-411-2372
ActionFile dispute immediately
All-In-One Search
FindHelp.org — NYC Social Services by ZIP
Search by ZIP code for every available program near any NYC airport — food, housing, financial aid, childcare, healthcare. Free and anonymous.
CostFree — anonymous