With the federal government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal employees and contractors are facing unpaid leave or delayed pay, putting Maryland at a significant disadvantage. State and local governments are rolling out emergency assistance programs to residents facing layoffs.
According to the state government, Maryland is home to more than 60 federal facilities and over 260,000 federal employees and 200,000 federal contractors. The State Comptroller’s Office of Revenue and Budget reports that the shutdown has resulted in the furlough of most non-essential federal employees, with over 15,000 already laid off and an estimated 10,000 more expected to be laid off.
Essential workers, such as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, military personnel, and federal law enforcement officers, are working but facing delayed pay, while non-essential workers are facing unpaid leave until the shutdown ends. As part of its emergency relief measures, the state government will provide interest-free loans of $700 to federal employees whose paychecks have been delayed, starting on the 6th. Laid-off employees can apply for emergency loan programs. Furloughed federal employees can also apply for unemployment benefits through the Federal Employees Unemployment Compensation Program, and federal contract workers can apply for state unemployment benefits.
The state has also sent letters to state legislators and utility companies requesting deferrals on utility bills, including gas, electricity, and mortgage payments. The state also operates public assistance benefit programs such as Medicaid and the SNAP Food Assistance Program.
Governor Wes Moore stated, “If the federal government shutdown is prolonged, we will announce additional support measures in a phased manner,” including expanded job search programs, legal counseling, special enrollment in health insurance, and food assistance.
For more information on shutdown-related support, please visit the state government (response.maryland.gov) and the state Department of Labor (labor.maryland.gov) websites.
Meanwhile, Howard County operates a variety of support programs, including job search assistance services at the Workforce Development Center, expanded childcare, food assistance, a foreclosure prevention program, mental health counseling, and employment assistance for people with disabilities.