Government Shutdown Resource Hub
Aurora Chamber of Commerce – Serving the Greater Buckley Region
With the federal government in partial shutdown, many in our community — including service members and federal workers — are facing uncertainty. The Aurora Chamber has compiled key resources to help navigate this period and will continue updating as support expands.
Last updated: November 3, 2025
Disclaimer: This page is a best-effort compilation of public resources. Programs and eligibility may change; verify details with the listed organizations. The Aurora Chamber does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, availability, or timeliness of external links or programs.
About this resource: This list draws on multiple sources, including the Partnership for Public Service, Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA), government agencies, and community organizations.
Nationwide Resource Hubs
- Partnership for Public Service — Shutdown Resources for Federal Employees (regularly updated)
- MyFedBenefits — Searchable Shutdown Assistance Map (find local help by location/category)
Current Status & Federal Resources
- OPM — Shutdown Guidance — FAQs, fact sheets, and sample letters.
- U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) — Agency operations & pay restoration updates.
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) — Pay & allowances info for military/civilian defense.
- TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) — Loan payment suspension during non-pay status; 1-877-968-3778
- BENEFEDS — FEHB/vision/dental billing & enrollment during transitions
Military & Veteran Support Programs
Legal Protections (SCRA)
- Eviction protections; court order required for certain actions.
- Stay of civil/administrative proceedings when duty affects attendance.
- Limits on repossession, liens, and non-judicial foreclosure.
- Find a military legal office • Navy/USMC Legal Assistance
Emergency Financial Assistance
- FEEA — Emergency Hardship Loans (0% up to $1,500 for eligible federal civilian employees)
- FEEA — Shutdown Grants & Microgrants (income-based; includes $150 microgrants for essentials)
- PayPal Assistance Fund (phone) — reported $250–$500 short-term loans; verify current terms and eligibility
Financial Institutions
Credit Unions
- Navy Federal Credit Union • 1-888-842-6328 — 0% APR options during paycheck disruption
- USAA — shutdown assistance / no-interest loans for eligible members
- PenFed Credit Union — furlough relief assistance
- Congressional Federal Credit Union • 800-491-2328 — Relief Line of Credit
- Interior Federal Credit Union • 800-914-8619 — interest-free loans up to 2 net paychecks (30 days); some contractor eligibility
- U.S. Employees Credit Union (USECU) • (312) 922-5310 — shutdown loans
- FedChoice Federal Credit Union — member assistance options
Major Banks
- Bank of America • 844-219-0690 — priority assistance line
- Chase • 1-888-356-0023 — assistance line for U.S. government employees
- U.S. Bank — late fee waivers / deferrals (verify current programs)
- Wells Fargo — shutdown assistance programs
- Truist (SunTrust) — client support programs
Credit Cards
- Synchrony Bank (Amazon, Lowe’s, Walmart, JCPenney, Chevron/Texaco) — payment deferrals by request
Student Loans
- Federal Student Aid • 1-800-433-3243 — income-driven plans, forbearance, deferment
State, County & Community Relief
Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE)
Main hub for Unemployment Insurance (UI): ColoradoUI.gov
- Filing Your Claim (step-by-step)
- Reemployment Support
- Shutdown Resources for Federal Workers
- Additional UI Resources
County & Community Services
Food Security & Basic Needs
- Feeding America — Find Local Food Banks
- FoodPantries.org
- School District Free Meal Programs — notify your district about furlough status for emergency meal access
- Care & Share Food Bank (Southern CO)
- Food Bank of the Rockies
- Eastern Hills Community Church — Marketplace
- Soldiers’ Angels
Housing & Utilities Assistance
Healthcare & Prescriptions
- FEHB — Coverage & Premiums During Furlough (coverage continues; premiums may accrue)
- GoodRx — prescription price comparisons/discounts
- NeedyMeds — patient assistance programs
- RxAssist — prescription assistance directory
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) Locator — sliding-scale primary care, dental, mental health, pharmacy
Family, Counseling & Support
Mental Health & Crisis
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — dial 988
- Colorado Crisis Services
- 988 Colorado
- Empower Work — text WORK to 510-674-1414 (free, confidential)
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) — 24/7 treatment & support referral
- DU Sturm Center
- DU CUB Clinic
- Aurora Mental Health & Recovery
Childcare & WIC
- Child Care Aware of America • 1-800-424-2246
- MilitaryChildCare.com
- Local School Districts — extended day or emergency childcare (check your district)
- Arapahoe County WIC
- Adams County WIC
- Douglas County WIC
Legal Aid & SCRA
- Rocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project
- Legal Services Corporation — Find Legal Aid
- ABA Free Legal Answers
- Armed Forces Legal Assistance (locator)
- Navy & Marine Corps Legal Assistance
Use SCRA and OPM sample letters to request deferred/reduced payments, rent relief, and stays of proceedings; seek legal advice as needed.
Utilities, Carriers & Insurance
Mobile Carriers
- AT&T — late fee adjustments, payment extensions
- Sprint: 1-888-211-4747 — short-term payment solutions
- T-Mobile: 1-877-746-0909 (or dial 611) — spread payments over time
- Verizon: 1-866-266-1445 — Promise-to-Pay scheduling
Auto Loans & Leases (contact lender to request deferral/waiver)
- Toyota Financial Services — up to 2 months deferred payments
- Lexus Financial Services — deferred payments
- Hyundai Capital — 30-day extensions
- Kia Motors Finance — 30-day deferrals
Insurance
- MetLife Auto & Home — 30-day grace period on premiums
Rental/Misc.
- Rent-A-Center (Benefits Plus) — involuntary unemployment waiver (up to 4 months / $1,000 max)
Pet Care Assistance
- Pet Food Bank Project — find pet food banks
- Pets of the Homeless — pet food & veterinary assistance
- RedRover Relief — emergency veterinary financial aid
Nonprofits & Foundations
Immediate Action Steps
- Apply for FEEA emergency assistance (if eligible).
- Contact your bank/credit union about 0% loans or fee waivers.
- File for unemployment if furloughed (CDLE UI).
- Adjust student loan payments at studentaid.gov.
- Use prescription discounts (GoodRx/NeedyMeds) to lower costs.
- Call your auto lender to request payment deferral/waiver.
- Arrange payment extensions with your phone carrier and utilities.
- Check local food banks and school meal programs.
- If stressed, text WORK to 510-674-1414 or dial 988.
Contractors & NAF Employees
- Check with your company HR for any company-specific relief programs.
- Community resources typically do not require federal employment status (food banks, FQHCs, legal aid).
- Some credit unions (e.g., Interior FCU) serve contractors; verify eligibility.
- State unemployment may be available depending on status; check CDLE rules.
Contact
Point of Contact:
For adding or updating information to this page, please contact:
Rob Devall — Director of Military Affairs, Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Email: rdevall@aurorachamber.org