Here are a list of resources that are available for those who will need assistance due to the shutdown.

RESOURCES:

Bank of America: announced assistance available to furloughed Federal employees. Call the priority assistance line [844.219.0690](tel:844.219.0690).

Chase Bank: Chase today announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. Here’s the special line they set up [1-888-356-0023](tel:1-888-356-0023).

Congressional Federal Credit Union: For more information on our Relief Line of Credit or any of our assistance programs, contact our Member Service Representatives at [800-491-2328](tel:800-491-2328) or stop by one of our branch locations.

Fed Choice: They’re offering quite a few different options to assist – for existing and new members.

Interior Federal Credit Union: They’re offering a special loan for both member and non-member furloughed Federal workers. Net paycheck up to $15,000, interest free up to 30 days. Members may apply for a limit up to the equivalent of 2 net paychecks. More offers are available on the site or call [800-914-8619](tel:800-914-8619)

Navy Federal Credit Union: These guys are offering a special loan program. Read the FAQs PDF from this link to see if you qualify or call [1-888-842-6328](tel:1-888-842-6328)

PayPal: PayPal has made a very generous offer. They’ve allocated $25 million to fund interest-free cash advances to our furloughed Federal workers that need assistance right now. This is for both new and existing PayPal Credit customers. Minimum loan is $250 with a maximum cash advance of $500. Your account does need to be in good standing if you’re an existing PayPal Credit customer. Existing customers call [1-877-689-1975](tel:1-877-689-1975). For new accounts, apply here first, then after approval call [1-877-689-1975](tel:1-877-689-1975).

U.S. Bank: Will waive all late fees if you miss a mortgage payment due to the shutdown. Also mentioned they will defer first payment dates for new mortgages.

U.S. Employees Credit Union: USECU is also offering shutdown loans, but only until Tuesday, January 15th. Call [(312) 922.5310](tel:(312) 922.5310) to get help.

SunTrust: SunTrust didn’t make a specific offer, but they did make a public announcement that they have programs in place to help clients affected by the shutdown.

Synchrony Bank: These guys handle store cards for Amazon, Lowes, Walmart, JCPenney, Chevron/Texaco, and many other large nationwide companies that you might do business with on a day-to-day basis. They are allowing affected customers to defer payments until after the shutdown. Contact them for more information.

Union Plus: For union members, there are a great number of options available if you’re with Union Plus. Call them at [800-472-2005](tel:800-472-2005) to ask about these offers: $300 Furlough Grant for eligible Union Plus credit card holders, Mortgage Assistance Loan & $300 Grant: payment grace period for your Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance, payment grace period for Union Plus Auto Insurance, and payment grace period for Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance.

Wells Fargo: They’ve got a few different options to help depending on the services clients have with their bank.

Furlough Grants

FEEA-NARFE: This is an awesome offer that every furloughed Federal worker needs to take advantage of. FEEA-NARFE fund is offering $100 grants to active federal employee members who are not receiving a paycheck during the current shutdown due to being furloughed or working in excepted status. To apply, visit the FEEA website.

Thrift Savings Plan

TSP Plan News and Announcements: TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into non-pay status. They do not require documentation about your furlough currently. Missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to go into default. Log in to your account to check your status or simply call the Thrift Line at [1-877-968-3778](tel:1-877-968-3778).

Toyota Financial Services & Lexus Financial Services: Affected lease and finance customers in good standing with their accounts may be eligible to take advantage of up to two months of finance contract payment extensions or lease deferred payments. Toyota Financial Services call [800-874-8822](tel:800-874-8822) and Lexus Financial Services call [800-874-7050](tel:800-874-7050).

Hyundai Capital: Hyundai will extend all Hyundai Capital auto loans and lease payments for 30 days for current Hyundai owners who are federal government employees furloughed during the shutdown. Impacted consumers should contact Hyundai Motor Finance at [1-800-523-4030](tel:1-800-523-4030) to take advantage of this offer.

Kia Motors Finance: Kia has announced they’re offering deferred payments of 30 days. If you’ve been affected by the current Government Shutdown and need assistance from Kia Finance, please contact us at [1-866-331-5632](tel:1-866-331-5632).

Ford Credit, GM Financial, & Mercedes-Benz Financial Services: It has been reported that these companies are among those providing qualified customers options such as payment deferrals, late fee waivers and special care lines to address their individual problems, though official announcements from these companies have not been released online.

Mobile Telephone Service Providers

AT&T: Will assist with adjusting late fees, providing extensions, and revising payment schedules.

Sprint: Will provide short-term payment solutions. Call [1-888-211-4747](tel:1-888-211-4747)

T-Mobile: Offering short-term assistance and can spread out service payments over time. Call [1-877-746-0909](tel:1-877-746-0909) or 611 from a T-Mobile device.

Verizon: Offering flexible payment options and has a Promise to Pay program to set payments for a future date. Call [1-866-266-1445](tel:1-866-266-1445).

Rental Home Assistance

National Rental Home Council: Represents many of the nation’s largest operators of single-family rental homes. They’re offering deferred rent payment options with no late fees to any renter who has been furloughed.

OPM Sample Letters for Creditors and Mortgage Companies: OPM created these sample letters for Federal workers to contact their landlords, mortgage lenders, and utilities, to request help during the shutdown.

National Food Resources & Advice

Feeding America: These guys have a nationwide network of 200 food banks. From those food banks, they have 60,000 partner pantries from which they can serve every community across the United States. This is an awesome resource, and they have already begun serving Federal employees affected by the government shutdown.

Your School District: To save on food and ensure your kid eats breakfast and/or lunch free (less stress and worry for you), notify the district of your furlough. No income is an emergency and normally qualifies you for the free meal program.

Home, Auto & Life Insurance Relief

MetLife: For those not receiving a paycheck from the federal government because of the current shutdown, MetLife Auto & Home may grant a one-time, 30-day grace period on your payment of premium on a MetLife Auto & Home policy. Members must request this one-time allowance by calling [1-800-GET-MET8](tel:1-800-GET-MET8). Certain restrictions apply, and premium remains due after delay expires.

Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company: To help the nearly 27,000 AFGE members who currently have a policy with the company during this government shutdown, the company “will keep the policy-in-force by waving the cost of insurance charges for the next 30 days.”. Policies beginning with the letter "Y" call: [844-800-9146](tel:844-800-9146), all other policies call: [888-513-8797](tel:888-513-8797)

Other Notable Mentions for Relief & Assistance.

Rent-A-Center (Benefits Plus Membership): If your account was up to date at the time of furlough and you are a part of benefits plus you may be eligible for a payment waiver based on your state: “Involuntary Unemployment Payment Waiver: Losing a job is hard and making payments while unemployed is even harder. Fortunately, your Membership waives your payments when you are involuntarily unemployed. Whether you were fired, laid off, suspended, or are out of work due to a labor dispute or strike, your payments are covered for up to four (4) months, up to $1,000, or when you’re able to return to work.”

National Freebie Offers

U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Their fact sheet states that federal employees may be eligible for unemployment compensation administered by state unemployment insurance agencies. So, eligibility is determined by state law, not on the Federal level, which may work in your favor.

USAA Are offering deferments for all loans and credit card payments.

Copy, Paste, and SHARE

IN PERSON CE Event!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ONLINE REGISTRATION: https://gwscsw.org/event-6215332

Regulating Racial Reactivity and Defensiveness in Work with Youth and Families

Mark your calendars for the GWSCSW event listed below. Register today and save your spot!

Catholic University

Presenter: Kenneth V. Hardy, PhD  
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Cost: $45 Retiree/Graduate/Student | $75 Member | $120 Nonmember (Please make sure you are logged in to get the correct member pricing)

After you Register Online for GWSCSW Events -- you will have the option of paying by credit card or sending in a check. If you send a check your profile will be updated when the check is received. All checks can be mailed to: PO Box 711 | Garrisonville, VA 22463

NOTE: GWSCSW has applied with the National Board for Certified Counselors to be an authorized sponsor of Continuing Education for licensed counselors.

.  Register today and save your spot! https://www.gwscsw.org/event-6225280

Legislative Town Hall-Connecting Clinical Practice with Recent Legislation
Online ZOOM
Sunday, June 29, 2025 | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM 
Cost:  EVENT IS FREE FOR MEMBERS - COST FOR CEUs IS $15 (Please make sure you are logged in to get the correct member pricing)

After you Register Online for GWSCSW Events -- you will have the option of paying by credit card or sending in a check.  If you send a check your profile will be updated when the check is received.  All checks can be mailed to:  PO Box 711 | Garrisonville, VA  22463

Category 1 - 1 CEU

Please join our fabulous lobbyists-Christine Krone, Mark Smith and Guy Rohling-for an hour long update on June 29^th at 11 am. We will hear what has been going on for the past 6 months regarding social work with the legislatures from DC, Maryland and Virginia. Laura Groshong from the Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA) will also join to give us an update on national issues, including the Interstate Compact. There will also be time for your questions!

This event is free to membership, but you must register to join. I look forward to seeing you there!

Judy Gallant, LCSW-C  
Director, GWSCSW Legislation and Advocacy

 

https://www.gwscsw.org/event-6153739

https://www.gwscsw.org/Behavior-and-Conduct-Guidelines

All GWSCSW CEU events are designed to be professional, ethical, safe spaces to further learning, skill-building and discussion about topics of interest within the field of clinical social work. To that end, we request that both participants and presenters take responsibility to cultivate an environment where optimal learning takes place, by:

1. Encouraging ethical, diverse, and inclusive conversation that represents the culture of clinical social work.
2. Embracing differences, promoting honest and curious discussions, responding with questions rather than ultimatums and keeping a collegial and open mind to further understanding.  
3. Behaving with respect: Not using disparaging terms, verbal insults, bullying statements, offensive racist, hateful, homophobic or sexist language, or any forms of harassment.   

5 Social Work Trends for 2025: What They Mean for the Profession

https://online.marymount.edu/blog/5-social-work-trends-2025

https://djph.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/djph-101-05.pdf

Social Work Compact implementation timeline

SW-Commission-Timeline.pdf

Town Hall: Keeping Ourselves Centered

Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 5:30-7:30 PM Eastern Time on Zoom

CSWA is offering another opportunity for members to connect! Staying centered personally and professionally is an important part of being a Clinical Social Worker, and CSWA is happy to offer this member benefit that supports both the clinician and the social work profession. This free and confidential event is moderated by CSWA's Director of Policy and Practice, Laura Groshong, LISCW. Information about returning to our offices, insurance coverage, self-care, the ASWB report, telemental health, the progress of the Compact, as well as whatever participants want to discuss, will be on our agenda. The more we can help each other, the more we can help our patients. This event will not be recorded.

https://www.clinicalsocialworkassociation.org/event-6160501

Legislative Alert: 2024 Mental Health Parity Rule Rescinded

May 20, 2025

A week ago, the Trump Administration announced its intention to stop the passage of the 2024 Mental Health Parity Rule that would have made the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Parity Act (MHPAEA) enforcement much stronger. As most CSWA members are aware, the implementation of this 16-year-old law has been a challenge [laws are the beginning of the legislative process which are implemented by rules]. The constant problems LCSWs have dealing with prior authorizations, network adequacy, reimbursement rates, timely reimbursement of claims, and more would have been largely resolved in the 2024 rule proposed by the Biden Administration. (View the proposed rule at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/09/23/2024-20612/requirements-related-to-the-mental-health-parity-and-addiction-equity-act.)

Also about a week ago, the Trump Administration stopped putting new rules out for public comment, making it difficult for CSWA and other organizations to have a voice in the development of new rules. This is a major attack on the democratic process which allows the public to have a voice in the implementation of our laws.

One way we CAN affect rules is by contacting our members of Congress to ask that they informally influence the administration and agencies that carry out the proposed rule. An excellent summary of the dangers of eliminating the proposed rule can be found at KFF by visiting https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/trump-biden-mental-health-parity-insurance-law-coverage-deadline/. These helpful materials can be used to develop a bill in Congress to implement this rule. Even though the current administration has announced that they are unwilling to implement any of the 2024 proposed rule, we can let our members of Congress know that we as constituents want them to push back on this attempt to allow insurers to continue practices that hurt LCSWs and our patients.

Here is a template for that you can use to send a message to your members of Congress at https://www.congress.gov/contact-us: “I am a licensed clinical social worker, a constituent, and a member of the Clinical Social Work Association. I am writing to ask you to oppose the intent of the Trump Administration to stop the 2024 Rule for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Parity Act. For 16 years this Act has languished because passing meaningful rules has been opposed by insurers and the corporations that have become the groups that control our health care system. Please give our citizens the access to the mental health and addiction services they need by pushing for the passage of the 2024 MHPAEA Rule.”

As always, please let me know when you have sent your messages.

Laura Groshong, LICSW, CSWA Director of Policy and Practice

lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org

Affiliated society members: If you are receiving this communication from your state society but did not also receive it directly from CSWA then you are not an active CSWA member. Membership in a state society does not equate to membership in CSWA. Membership in both organizations is highly recommended. Please consider joining CSWA today - your support is instrumental in maintaining CSWA's ability to work nationally on your behalf and on behalf of the field of clinical social work. Please visit our membership information and registration page for additional information.

Clinical Social Work Association
The National Voice for Clinical Social Work