Local Government Help for furloughed federal workers

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
CCPS Supports Families During the Government Shutdown

Calvert County families that have lost income due to the government shutdown may immediately apply for their children to receive free or reduced-price meals (FARMs). Families that would not ordinarily qualify for the FARMs program could be eligible for the remainder of the school year because of the current loss of income.


Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Superintendent, said, "We want to be sure our children, who are directly affected by this shutdown, have everything they need to be successful."


The application for the FARMs program is available on the Child Nutrition Program Information page on the school system website ( http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/child_nutrition/nutrition_program_information ). Copies are also available in each school. Parents and guardians need only submit one application per household.


Completed applications may be returned to your child's school or dropped off at the Brooks Administration Building, located at 1305 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Contact the Child Nutrition Office at 443-550-8680 with any questions.


In addition, staff members in the Department of Student Services, including school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers, are prepared and available to assist students who may be experiencing anxiety due to their family's current situation. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their child's school for further information.
 

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
Charles County Help Available for Furloughed Employees

Charles County Government is working to assist furloughed employees by offering payment plans for water and sewer billing. The county is lowering the standard first payment deposit from $50 to $25. Furloughed customers may push the final payment into their next bill and pay in full by the end of their second week into their new quarterly billing period.
As the furlough continues, the county will revisit this policy. Identification or information proving they are a Federal Government employee is required.
For additional questions, you may call the Water and Sewer billing office during normal business hours at 301-645-0624.

http://www.charlescountymd.gov/alerts/help-available-furloughed-employees
 

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
Charles Co. System offering temporary increase in meal credits for students

The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Food and Nutrition Services Department has increased the amount of meal credits students can use on their school accounts. The temporary increase was approved by staff to help families affected by the recent closing of most federal government agencies. Parents are still responsible for paying any negative meal account balances for their child, including any meal credit provided.


The increase is effective as of Jan. 4 and will remain in place for 30 days after the federal government reopens. The following is the temporary meal increase limits for students.


--- Elementary school students - $55 (standard limit is $25)


--- Middle school students - $45 (standard limit is $15)


--- High school students - $40 (standard limit is $10)


Parents of students with any negative meal account balances will still receive automated phone calls once the standard limits are reached. The $30 increase per level is set to provide students with about two weeks of meal credits for purchases.


Although the increase allows students to have additional time to receive regular meals at school, parents are still responsible for paying any negative meal account balances. Credits are given only for students who attempt to purchase meals and have no money on their account. Once a student uses all of the credit, they will receive an alternate main entrée per Superintendent's Rule 3842. The Rule outlines how the school system manages unpaid meal balances. Payment of the account includes the credit given by the school system.


Contact the Food and Nutrition Services Department at 301-392-5570 or your child's principal with questions about alternate meals and unpaid meal balances. Parents can sign up for My Payments Plus, the online system CCPS offers for parents to add money to their child's meal account, at https://www2.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome .
 

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
Comptroller Franchot Announces Help for Federal Workers Affected by Shutdown

For those on payment plans, financial relief offered


ANNAPOLIS, Md. (January 15, 2019) - As the partial federal government shutdown extends into its fourth week, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced a plan to provide financial relief to impacted federal workers unsure when their next paycheck will arrive.


Federal contractors, furloughed employees, and those working without pay currently on payment plans with the State may be granted reduced or even suspended payments while the shutdown drags on.


"The longer this government shutdown lasts, the more financial hardship it is causing federal workers, some of whom may never get repaid," said Comptroller Franchot. "My agency recognizes that Marylanders affected by this prolonged impass face a greater burden to make ends meet and to fulfill their tax obligations. As always, we stand ready to help Marylanders facing these challenging times."


The assistance provided by the Comptroller's Office will help federal workers with personal income liabilities and other outstanding tax obligations. As specific circumstances vary, each request will be handled on a case-by-case basis.


Affected federal workers, including federal contractors and federal employees working without pay, who may have outstanding Maryland tax obligations, are encouraged to contact the Comptroller of Maryland's Ombudsman's Office via email at ombudsman@comp.state.md.us or via telephone at 410-260-4020.


To further assist taxpayers, an email address (govshutdownrelief@comp.state.md.us) has been created to receive specific shutdown-related inquiries.
 

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
CCPS Will Fast Track Furloughed Government Employees to be Subs

Calvert County Public Schools will assist community members who have lost pay due to the government shutdown by fast tracking individuals who are interested in becoming substitute teachers. Substitute training sessions will be held on Tuesday, January 22 and Thursday, January 24. In order to be considered, the following procedures must be followed:


--- Complete an online application here on the school system website - Job #1709: https://phl.applitrack.com/calvert/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute


--- Provide have three completed references.


--- Upon completion of application, fingerprinting will be scheduled at no cost to applicants.


--- Present your government employee identification for verification purposes.


For more information, please contact the Department of Human Resources at 443-550-8318.
 

NorthBeachPerso

Honorary SMIB
Calvert County Public Schools will assist community members who have lost pay due to the government shutdown by fast tracking individuals who are interested in becoming substitute teachers. Substitute training sessions will be held on Tuesday, January 22 and Thursday, January 24. In order to be considered, the following procedures must be followed:


--- Complete an online application here on the school system website - Job #1709: https://phl.applitrack.com/calvert/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute


--- Provide have three completed references.


--- Upon completion of application, fingerprinting will be scheduled at no cost to applicants.


--- Present your government employee identification for verification purposes.


For more information, please contact the Department of Human Resources at 443-550-8318.

Does the school system actually expect these new sub's to stay once the government reopens?
 

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
St. Mary's County Public Schools Supports Families During The Government Shutdown

St. Mary's County Public Schools' families that have lost or reduced income due to any change in family circumstances, including the government shutdown, loss of job, or another similar event, may immediately apply for their children to receive free or reduced-price meals (FARMs). Families that would not ordinarily qualify for the FARMs program could be eligible for the remainder of the school year because of the current loss of income.


The application for the FARMs program is always available on the Food and Nutrition Services page on the school system website (https://www.smcps.org/dss/food-services) and can be used at any time during the school year when a family's income level changes. Copies are also available in each school. Parents and guardians need only submit one application per household.


Completed applications may be returned to your child's school or dropped off at the Food and Nutrition Services Office in the Division of Supporting Services building at 27190 Point Lookout Road, Loveville, MD 20656. Contact the Food and Nutrition Services Office at 301-475-4256, extension 5 with any questions.


In addition, staff members in the Department of Student Services, including school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers, are prepared and available to assist students who may be experiencing anxiety due to their family's current situation. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their child's school for further information.
 

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
Md. AG Advisory for Unpaid Furloughed Federal Workers Facing Financial Hardship

BALTIMORE, MD (January 23, 2019) – The Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division advises federal workers affected by the Trump administration's partial shutdown to use these consumer-related resources to maintain financial fitness through these tough times. Federal workers who are not receiving their paychecks and are having difficulty making mortgage, student loan, and/or rent payments should be aware that there are resources available to help address certain financial challenges they experience during the shutdown.


Mortgage Payments – Many banking institutions have released statements indicating willingness to work with furloughed federal employees who are having trouble making their mortgage payments. Your bank may offer a modified or deferred payment schedule to keep you on track and out of danger of falling behind on your payments. You should immediately visit the official website for your mortgage lender to view what assistance is being offered, or contact their customer service by telephone (a list of some of the major lending institutions with websites and telephone numbers can be found here). In addition, the Consumer Protection Division's Mediation Unit may be able to assist you in seeking a modification, depending upon your circumstances.


Rental Payments – If you are having trouble making rental payments to your landlord, a good place to start is to seek help from the housing assistance office in your county or Baltimore City. A list of these offices is available here. If you have sought assistance from your county or directly from your landlord, but were unable to negotiate a plan regarding your rent payments, the Consumer Protection Division's Mediation Unit may be able to help negotiate on your behalf. To see if our office can help, you will first need to file a Landlord/Tenant complaint by visiting our website at www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov. Be sure to note in your complaint that you are a furloughed federal employee.


Student Loan Payments – Despite the partial government shutdown, the federal government is still collecting payments on its student loans. If you have a federal student loan for which you are having trouble making payments, you should contact your loan servicer to ask if there are any options in light of your financial hardship. (Federal student loans are generally processed through a company called a loan servicer; the name of your loan servicer will be on your bill. A list of the most common loan servicers is available here.) One option that may be available is a forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making payments for a month or more. This option generally comes with other conditions, such as increased indebtedness due to deferred interest.


"I highly encourage those federal employees impacted by the shutdown to reach out for help before falling behind in important payments," said Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh. "As much as we hope this partial shutdown will end soon, falling behind financially can have devastating and long-term effects. If you need help, get it now."


In addition to mortgage, rent, and loan payments, if you are a furloughed federal employee who needs help making payments to a public utility (e.g., gas, electricity, water), please contact your utility company immediately. Most Baltimore-Washington area public utilities have agreed to exercise some flexibility with customers affected by the shutdown. You will need to contact the utility directly to get information about these options. If you are not able to receive assistance directly from the utility company, you may file a complaint with the Maryland Public Service Commission. The Maryland Office of People's Counsel is a state agency and utility consumer advocacy office. They may also be able to assist you if you have problems dealing with a regulated utility in Maryland.


If you are experiencing other consumer-related problems and need assistance, please contact the Consumer Protection Division's hotline at 410-528-8662.
 

NorthBeachPerso

Honorary SMIB
I thought it was the other way around. I thought the jobs were posted online and the substitute teacher selected a job if they wanted to work that day.

I don't know if that's the system or not. I'll rephrase: will any of the back to work feds bother to sub now after the big recruitment and fast track backgrounds done?
 
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