Government shutdowns create significant financial uncertainty for federal employees and their families. When a lapse in appropriations occurs, many workers are furloughed, meaning they are placed on temporary unpaid leave. In response, a variety of businesses and organizations have historically offered freebies, discounts, and assistance programs to help affected individuals during these challenging periods. This guide details the types of support available, eligibility requirements, and how to access these offers, based on information from previous shutdown events.
Understanding Shutdown Furloughs
A shutdown furlough is an emergency furlough that occurs due to a lapse in annual appropriations, as defined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). When funding expires and no new appropriations or continuing resolutions are passed, agencies must shut down activities funded by annual appropriations. This typically results in little to no lead time for planning, affecting hundreds of thousands of employees. Some agency functions with alternative funding sources may continue, but most employees subject to a shutdown furlough are placed on unpaid leave for the duration of the lapse.
Types of Freebies and Assistance for Furloughed Employees
During past government shutdowns, a range of businesses and service providers have stepped up to offer support. These offers generally fall into several categories: food and beverage discounts, retail and service discounts, financial assistance, and cultural or recreational access.
Food and Beverage Offers
Many restaurants and food establishments provide free or discounted meals to furloughed federal employees. These offers typically require proof of employment, such as a valid federal government ID.
- TGI Fridays: During a previous shutdown, TGI Fridays offered a free meal daily through October 23 to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and air traffic control workers. The offer included a choice from a special menu featuring items like a cheeseburger with fries, chicken fingers with fries, or a Chicken Caesar Salad. The deal was valid at more than 80 U.S. locations, excluding Atlanta airport locations which had an independent deal. The offer was limited to one free meal per day per employee.
- Local Restaurants in North Carolina: A variety of local businesses in the Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina area offered free meals to furloughed employees. Examples included:
- Trophy Brewing: Offered one small pizza to a single federal employee or a large pizza to two federal employees at its Raleigh locations.
- State of Beer: Provided one free sandwich or salad.
- Smashed Waffles: Offered a free Smashedwich every day during the shutdown.
- Yin Dee: Provided a free $8 meal (or $8 off an order) for furloughed government employees in Morrisville, NC.
- Fullsteam Brewery: In Durham, NC, furloughed employees could show a government ID for one free beer a day.
Retail, Service, and Retail Discounts
Beyond food, various businesses offered services or products at no cost or a discount.
- Haircut Services: Bishops (Dillon) in Raleigh, NC, offered free haircuts for all furloughed federal employees during the shutdown, requiring a federal ID.
- Fitness: CORE Fitness Studio Raleigh provided a free month of unlimited classes to furloughed employees, simply by stopping by with a government ID.
- Dining Discounts: Thompson Restaurants offered a 20% discount to all government employees at their restaurants (including Matchbox, Milk & Honey, Makers Union, and Hen Quarter) in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The discount applied to the entire check and table but excluded alcohol and was valid for the duration of the shutdown.
- Cultural Access: The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University in Durham, NC, offered free general admission for furloughed government employees and up to five family members during the shutdown, requiring a valid federal government ID. Children 17 and under were always free.
Financial Assistance Programs
Financial institutions have also created programs to help furloughed employees manage cash flow during the shutdown.
- USAA: The bank offered 0% interest loans equal to furloughed workers' net pay, ranging from $500 to $6,000. This program was designed to provide short-term financial relief without accruing interest.
Eligibility and Access Requirements
Access to these freebies and assistance programs is generally straightforward but requires specific documentation. The primary requirement across most offers is proof of federal employment during the shutdown.
- Proof of Employment: A valid federal government ID is the most commonly requested document. This could be a badge, employee ID card, or other official identification issued by a federal agency.
- Eligibility Scope: Some offers are targeted to specific groups, such as TSA and air traffic control workers (e.g., TGI Fridays), while others are available to all furloughed federal employees (e.g., many local restaurant offers).
- Geographic Limitations: Many offers are location-specific. For example, the restaurant and service offers in North Carolina are concentrated in the Raleigh-Durham area. National chains may have offers available at most locations, but some, like the TGI Fridays deal, excluded certain airports.
- Time Limits: Offers are typically valid only for the duration of the government shutdown. Once funding is restored and employees return to work, these deals usually expire.
How to Find and Verify Offers During a Shutdown
During an active shutdown, information about available freebies and deals can spread quickly through social media and news outlets. However, it is crucial to verify offers directly with the business or organization.
- Check Official Business Channels: Look for announcements on the official websites, social media pages, or press releases of the businesses offering support.
- Contact the Business Directly: If in doubt, call the specific location to confirm the offer's availability, required documentation, and any restrictions.
- Consult Official Government Resources: While the OPM provides guidance on furlough procedures, it does not typically list external business offers. However, understanding the official status of a shutdown can provide context for the availability of these programs.
- Use Reputable News Sources: Articles from established news outlets, like the one from USA Today referenced in the source material, often compile lists of verified deals. However, always cross-reference with the business itself.
Important Considerations and Limitations
While these support programs are valuable, they have limitations.
- Temporary Nature: All offers are tied to the shutdown period. They are not a substitute for regular income.
- Limited Scope: The offers listed here are examples from past shutdowns. During a new shutdown, the specific businesses and deals will differ, though similar types of support may re-emerge.
- Not a Comprehensive Safety Net: These freebies are voluntary community or corporate gestures. They do not replace the financial and logistical challenges of an unpaid furlough, which may require employees to seek other resources like unemployment benefits, payment plans for bills, or loans (such as the USAA program).
Conclusion
Government shutdowns place a significant burden on federal employees, but community and corporate support can provide some relief. From free meals and haircuts to discounted services and interest-free loans, a variety of freebies and assistance programs have been offered during past shutdowns. For furloughed employees, accessing these offers typically requires a valid federal ID and may be subject to location and time restrictions. While these gestures are appreciated, they are temporary solutions. Employees should always verify any offer directly with the providing business and consult official government resources for guidance on their furlough status and broader benefits.