Are you one of the 15,000+ federal workers in greater Cincinnati who is furloughed during the government shutdown? Here are some free resources for you:
Understanding your rights
- 10 Questions about Furloughed Employees Answered (from the Society for Human Resource Management)
- The Partnership for Public Service has compiled resources for furloughed federal workers.
- Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs (from the Office of Personnel Management)
- The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services has some guidance for federal workers about filing for unemployment. The OhioMeansJobs Cincinnati-Hamilton County Center has an Unemployment Services representative on-site every Thursday. Call ahead to schedule an appointment with the rep: 513.946.7200
- Check your local labor groups to see what resources they are offering
- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) District 6, Local 2031
- The National Treasurer Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 73
Getting services
- Call United Way’s 211 line 24/7 for information about community resources available for needs like housing/rent assistance, food pantries, mental health supports, and more.
- Tap into your spouse or immediate family member’s Employee Assistance Program available through their place of employment.
Stretching your budget
- Check with your bank or credit union to see if they offer short-term loans, deferred loan payments, and financial counseling to help federal employees bridge financial gaps.
- The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library’s 41 locations all offer:
- Free meeting/study/space
- Free Wi-Fi, computer use, faxing, printing
- Free workshops
- Free E-learning classes, modules, videos on everything from mental health tips to learning a new language (free with a free library card)
- Free book, film, and audiobook borrowing (free with a free library card)
- Free passes to area museums and attractions