NARFE supports the Help Federal employees During Shutdowns (Help FEDS) Act H.R. 5572/S. 2948, introduced by Rep. Sarah Elfreth, D-MD, Sen. Angela Alsobroosk, D-MD, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-MD. This legislation would expand Unemployment Insurance eligibility to excepted federal government employees who must work without pay during a shutdown. 

On October 1, the government shut down after Congress failed to agree on the proposed funding bill. During a government shutdown, federal employees are either deemed essential (excepted) or placed on furlough until the shutdown ends. Excepted federal employees are required to report to work without receiving pay to ensure that necessary agencies within the government continue to function. These employees won’t receive pay for this work until after the government opens.

The Help FEDS Act would provide essential federal employees with access to unemployment benefits, giving them a sense of financial security during this tumultuous period. 

Please use the sample letter below to urge your members of Congress to support federal employees working during the shutdown under the Help FEDS Act. If your lawmakers are already cosponsors, the system will prompt you to send a “Thank You” letter instead. 
 
Personalized and unique messages are more effective in influencing a legislator's perspective. Please add a few sentences to this letter about how this legislation would affect you or the greater federal community.