A government shutdown creates financial uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of federal employees, both those furloughed and those working without immediate pay. During these periods, businesses across various sectors often step in to provide support through discounts, free meals, and waived fees. These initiatives aim to alleviate the burden on affected individuals and families while the political impasse continues.
The offers available during a government shutdown span multiple categories, including food and dining, telecommunications, financial services, and entertainment. Eligibility for these deals typically requires proof of federal employment, such as a government ID or documentation of furlough status. While many businesses publicize these offers to support their communities, federal ethics guidelines regarding gift acceptance apply, though specific exemptions exist for broad-based discounts.
Food and Dining Offers
Restaurants and food service establishments are among the most active participants in providing relief during a shutdown. Offers range from free meals to extended happy hours and discounted menu items.
Major Chains and Restaurant Groups TGI Fridays offered a specific promotion for Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and air traffic control workers, providing a free meal daily through October 23. This initiative acknowledged the critical role these workers play in maintaining national transportation security.
Celebrity chef José Andrés’ restaurant group is providing significant support in the Washington, D.C., area. Federal workers can receive a free lunch Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The offer includes a choice of specific items from various group restaurants: a sandwich from Jaleo, a donburi from China Chilcano, a durum or pita from Zaytinya, or a torta from Oyamel Cocina Mexicana.
IKEA locations in College Park and Woodbridge are offering free breakfast to furloughed government employees and contractors. This provides a basic meal to help start the day without additional expense.
Local and Regional Establishments Homegrown Restaurant Group, operating in the D.C. area, has a history of providing support during difficult times, dating back to 2013. Bill Blackburn of the group noted that while a free pulled pork sandwich does not cover major expenses, it serves as a token of appreciation and solidarity.
In the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region, several specific deals are available: * Paisano’s: Offers 30 percent off all pizzas for government employees with a valid ID. The code "TOGETHER" is used to redeem this deal, which is valid until the government reopens. This is available at multiple area locations. * NiHao: Part of the Peter Chang restaurant family, offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on dishes during happy hour, available Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. * Dip & Sip: Federal workers can enjoy a signature dip paired with a signature cocktail, house wine, or beer for $15. This requires a valid federal ID and is available at a specific location in Fairfax. * Barrel: Offers an "Unhappy Hour" with select cocktails for $10 and select beers for $6, available all day. * Butterworth's: Features a government shutdown sale including $5 Welsh rarebit, $6 mini Guinness, $10 "furlough-rita," and $10 "continuing rye-solution" cocktails. * Carmine's: Offers an all-day Happy Hour for the duration of the shutdown, including $5 meatball sliders and $8 specialty cocktails, available to everyone. * Compass Coffee: Provides a free pastry with the purchase of any drink upon showing a government ID. * Cork Wine Bar: Offers discounts on select food and glasses of wine, starting at 3:00 p.m.
Activity-Based Offers Businesses outside of traditional dining also offer food-related perks. Bennett’s Curse Haunted House and Creepywoods Haunted Forest in Baltimore and White Marsh, Maryland, offer a "Furlough Fear Deal" to federal employees affected by the shutdown.
Telecommunications Support
Phone companies recognize that bill payment is a major concern during a pay hiatus and have structured programs to assist federal workers.
- Verizon: The company waives late fees and offers a "Promise to Pay" program. This program allows federal workers to set future payment dates. Instructions on how to access this program are available on their website.
- Sprint: Customer Care is authorized to work with employees who need short-term payment solutions.
- AT&T: This phone company adjusts late fees and provides extensions for workers not receiving a paycheck.
- T-Mobile: Workers can contact T-Mobile to discuss deferring payments.
Financial Services and Loans
Financial institutions and credit unions are offering specific lending products and payment extensions tailored to the shutdown situation.
One Detroit Credit Union This credit union provides two main types of assistance for members and non-members: * Payment Extensions: Members with existing loans can receive payment extensions. * New Loans: The credit union offers new loans with a 60-day payment deferment.
Eligibility and Application Process To participate in these programs, individuals must provide proof of the notice or letter received from the Government indicating their furlough status or pay stoppage. * When applying for a new loan on the website, applicants should select "Personal Loan/Consolidation" as the loan type. * When asked for the purpose of the loan, the comment "Government Shutdown" should be entered. * For payment extensions on existing loans, members should call the Contact Center or visit one of the three branches.
Entertainment and Cultural Activities
Several cultural institutions and entertainment venues offer free or discounted access to federal workers, providing leisure opportunities during the furlough period.
Museums and Estates * Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens: Located at 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., this museum offers complimentary admission to federal workers who present a government ID. The estate was formerly owned by heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and features a grand home and gardens.
Performing Arts * George Mason University Arts: Federal employees and government contractors impacted by the shutdown can receive free tickets to select Mason Arts performances. These include professional and student performances at the Center for the Performing Arts, Harris Theatre, the Hylton Performing Arts Center, and the Science and Technology campus in Manassas.
Haunted Attractions * Bennett’s Curse and CreepyWoods Haunted Forest: These attractions in Baltimore and White Marsh, Maryland, offer a "Furlough Fear Deal" for affected federal employees.
Sports * Local Sports Teams: One local sports team is offering free admission to an upcoming game, though specific details on the team and game are not provided in the source material.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
When businesses offer freebies and deals to government employees, questions regarding federal ethics guidelines often arise. Federal employees are generally subject to strict limits on accepting gifts, defined as anything of value. The standard limit is $20 per gift, with a total value cap of $50 from the same entity in a calendar year.
However, the federal ethical guidelines contain a critical exception relevant to shutdown deals. Discounts offered to all federal employees or to the general public are not considered gifts under the ethics rules. This means that businesses can legally provide these discounts to federal workers without placing them in an ethical compromising position. Legal experts emphasize the importance of this exemption, noting that it allows businesses to support workers during difficult times without inadvertently causing ethics violations.
Conclusion
During government shutdowns, a variety of businesses step up to support federal workers through a range of freebies, discounts, and deferred payment options. The offers primarily focus on essential needs like food and telecommunications, but also extend to entertainment and financial services. Eligibility generally requires proof of federal employment or furlough status. Importantly, the structure of these offers typically falls within federal ethics guidelines, as broad-based discounts are not considered prohibited gifts. Federal workers affected by a shutdown can utilize these resources to help manage their finances until regular pay resumes.