By Karla Davis, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, California’s Credit Unions
Ontario, CA (Oct. 9, 2025): California’s Credit Unions today announced a broad package of financial relief options for employees of the federal government impacted by the government shutdown.
Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions that offer services like checking and savings accounts, auto loans, debit and credit cards, low-cost or free financial counseling, and much more.
How Federal Employees Can Get Help Today
According to Congressional Research Services, over 155,000 federal employees work in California. This does not include the thousands of employees who work for federal contractors and may also be impacted.
During the shutdown, credit unions throughout California are offering various support services, which may include:
- Loan Relief: Loan payment deferrals and temporary hardship modifications.
- Emergency Assistance: Short-term, low- or no-interest loans to cover essential expenses.
- Fee Waivers: Waiving late fees, overdraft fees, and penalties.
- Financial Counseling: Access to financial wellness counselors to provide budgeting and debt management guidance.
- Online Resources: Tools and information on our website to help with everyday expenses such as food, utilities, housing and healthcare.
“Credit unions are financial institutions focused on their mission of ‘people helping people.’ This includes times of need and emergencies, such as the government shutdown,” said Stephanie Cuevas, Senior Vice President of Federal Advocacy for California’s Credit Unions. “Credit unions are moving quickly to offer support to federal workers — from TSA agents to air traffic controllers, service members, and more. The goal is to support families during these times of uncertainty while the shutdown is resolved in Washington, D.C.”
Contact, Ask, and Explore
Federal employees can get help today by:
- Contacting a credit union. Those reaching out should mention shutdown-related assistance. You can find a local credit union here.
- Asking about eligibility. Every credit union has its own unique method to serving the community. Be sure to ask about how you can receive support.
- Exploring options. The credit union will want to tailor financial solutions to your needs and circumstances.
California’s Credit Unions
Headquartered in Ontario, CA, California’s Credit Unions exists to help credit unions change people’s lives by supporting their operations, guidance, strategy, and philosophy. Our trade association helps local credit unions in California serve more than 14.4 million members. Credit unions are for people, not profit.
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