Local Food Pantries
Provides free groceries, nonperishable items, and essential household goods to families in need. Availability and hours vary by location.

Second Harvest Food Bank
Distributes food and groceries to individuals and families through community partners and pantries across Southeast Louisiana. Use the searchable map at no-hunger.org/map to find locations near you.

Catholic Charities
Provides case management, SNAP enrollment, mortgage/rent help, and counseling in the Northshore region.
985-605-5840

Feeding America
Operates a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 pantries providing groceries to federal workers.

Full Cart
Virtual food bank that ships free groceries directly to households; currently operating on a waitlist due to high demand.
info@fullcart.org

NOLA Community Fridges
A network of public refrigerators across New Orleans providing free food to anyone in need, stocked through community donations.
nolacommunityfridges@gmail.com

Ruby Slipper Café
Free entrée (up to $20) for furloughed employees, Mon–Fri through Oct 31 with valid ID.

St. Vincent de Paul Society (Parish Chapters)
Delivers housing, utility, and food aid through local parish networks.

Salvation Army – Northshore
Offers emergency housing, mortgage, and food assistance to struggling families.

Your Local School District
Parents can apply for free school breakfast and lunch programs due to furlough-related income loss.

Capital Area Finance Authority (CAFA) – Mortgage Grant Program
Provides up to 4% in non-repayable grants toward mortgage payments, down payments, or closing costs. Eligibility: up to 115% AMI, must meet credit standards and be a resident of Tangipahoa, Washington and Plaquemines Parish.
225-413-1166 | 225-999-2399| info@thecafa.org

Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West – Homeownership Center
HUD-certified counselors provide homebuyer education, mortgage readiness, and home repair assistance.
985-893-3172 (ext. 246)

HUD Housing Counselors
HUD-approved counselors provide free, confidential help for homeowners seeking mortgage forbearance or loss mitigation options.
Find a counselor | (800) 569-4287

Pathway Mortgage Relief – Louisiana
Assists with loan restructuring and rate reductions, cutting payments by up to 30% and interest rates reduced by up to 3%.

St. Bernard Parish Home Mortgage Authority
Connects residents with lenders offering CAFA and SMAP programs for mortgage assistance.
Cross Country Mortgage: Claude Maher  (504) 610-8734
Gulf Coast Bank: Pam McLaurin Lee (504) 275-0225
Hancock Whitney Bank: Dana Duhe  (504) 874-3517

St. Tammany Parish Community Action Agency (CAA)
Offers emergency mortgage and rental assistance, utility support, and rapid re-housing for low-income residents in crisis. Additional information: St. Tammany Parish Government

Union Plus
Offers one-time grants (up to $300) and mortgage-assistance programs for eligible Union Plus members.
800-472-2005 |  info@unionplus.org

If you’re having trouble making your mortgage payments, reach out to your mortgage servicer as soon as possible. Ask about forbearance, loan modification, or repayment plans — these options can help you avoid foreclosure and stay in your home.

Use this sample letter to formally request mortgage assistance from your lender.

National Apartment Association (NAA) – Rental Home Assistance
NAA is providing resources for our affiliate partners and members to assist in managing through the

Louisiana Works
This document provides frequently asked questions for federal employees during the government shutdown.

FEEA Shutdown Grants
Federal workers earning under $59,999 can receive $150 micro-grants for groceries, gas, and essentials.

MyFEDBenefits
Shutdown Assistance Map identifies locations where various relief is available to federal employees affected by the shutdown. 

Congressional Federal Credit Union
Provides interest-free Relief Line of Credit for furloughed federal employees, typically for 60 days. Membership required.
800-491-2328 |  memberservices@congressionalfcu.org

First Command Financial Services
Federal Employee Support — Offers zero-interest payroll advances, penalty-free CD withdrawals, and loan assistance to federal employee clients.
1-800-443-2104 |  info@firstcommand.com

Kashable
Low-interest personal loans designed for federal employees impacted by shutdowns.

NAMI Government Benefits Assistance
Lists mental health and financial resources for individuals impacted by government shutdowns.

Navy Federal Credit Union
Offers 0% interest payroll-advance loans for federal employees with direct deposit.
1-888-842-6328 |  info@navy.federalmembers.net

Spectrum’s Federal Government Shutdown Relief Program
Allows deferred or flexible payment plans for federal workers impacted by income delays.

United States Senate Federal Credit Union
Provides 90-day 0% APR loans (up to $5,000) to members affected by the federal shutdown.

U.S. Employees Credit Union
Shutdown Loan — Interest-free loan program repaid within 60 days or upon receipt of back pay. Membership required.
312-922-5310 |  info@usemployees.org

Union Plus
Offers multiple hardship relief programs for union members impacted by the government shutdown, including grants, financial aid, and mortgage assistance.
1-800-472-2005 |  info@unionplus.org

Union Plus Credit Card
Provides a $300 Furlough Grant for eligible Union Plus credit cardholders furloughed or excepted during the shutdown (membership in good standing required for at least 3 months).
1-800-622-2580 |  creditcard@unionplus.org

Union Plus Mortgage
Offers mortgage assistance loans and $300 grants for qualifying members facing furloughs lasting at least 15 days, covering up to six months of payments interest-free.
1-800-472-2005 |  mortgageassistance@unionplus.org

Ally Financial
Hardship Relief — Offers refunds of transaction fees, penalty waivers, and payment extensions for Ally Bank customers with accounts or loans affected by the shutdown.
1-877-247-2559 | support@ally.com

Bank of America
Offers payment-deferral options and a dedicated priority-aid line for customers affected by the shutdown.
844-219-0690

Chase Bank
Provides hardship assistance and payment-deferral options for affected customers.
1-888-356-0023

Discover Card
Customer Assistance — Provides payment skips and late fee reversals for Discover card members impacted by the government shutdown.
1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683) | customerservice@discover.com

Hancock Whitney
Offers shutdown loans up to $6,000 for affected customers.
1-800-448-8812

Judicial & Justice Federal Credit Union
Provides furlough loans up to $2,000 at 4.99% APR for qualifying members.

Keesler Federal Credit Union
Offers paycheck-relief advances to assist members during pay interruptions.
1-888-533-7537

M&T Bank
Provides early withdrawal penalty waivers on CDs, deposit account fee refunds, and 3.99% APR personal loans for federal employees affected by the shutdown.
1-800-724-2440 |  customerservice@mtb.com

MetLife Auto & Home
Grace Period Program — Offers a one-time 30-day grace period on policy payments for affected policyholders; call for eligibility.
1-800-GET-MET8 (1-800-438-6388) |  metlifeservice@metlife.com

Regions Bank
Offers payment-deferral plans and emergency loans to customers experiencing hardship.
1-800-221-7471

The Hartford Insurance
Payment Relief — Provides temporary payment grace periods and hardship support for policyholders affected by the federal shutdown.
1-800-393-0864 |  customerservice@thehartford.com

Toyota Financial Services
Hardship Assistance — Provides loan and lease extensions (up to two months) and flexible payment options for Toyota Financial customers impacted by furlough.
1-800-874-8822 |  customerservice@toyotafinancial.com

USAA
Provides 0% shutdown loans up to $6,000 and payment-relief options for eligible members.
855-764-4617 (banking) / 800-531-USAA

Wells Fargo
Hardship Relief – Offers payment deferrals, fee waivers, and case-by-case forbearance for customers affected by the shutdown.
1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557) |  customercare@wellsfargo.com

United Methodist Church (Local Congregations)

Many congregations offer emergency assistance for utilities, housing, and essentials.

AT&T
Hardship Support — Offers flexible payment arrangements and deferred billing for wireless, TV, and internet customers affected by the shutdown.
 1-800-288-2020 | attcustomercare@att.com

Entergy
Offers help managing and paying an energy bill.

T-Mobile
Account Assistance — Provides payment deferrals and flexible account support for furloughed federal employees with proof of impact.
 611 (from T-Mobile device) | 877-746-0909 |  tmobilecare@t-mobile.com

Verizon
Offers flexible payment plans and “Promise to Pay” arrangements.
1-800-837-4966 or 1-800-VERIZON

Air Force Aid Society
Provides grants and Falcon Loans for Air Force and Space Force members.

Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Provides rapid, zero-interest loans to active-duty Soldiers if military pay is delayed. Loans equal one net paycheck (up to $6,000) to bridge financial gaps until operations resume.
 1-866-878-6378 |  info@aerhq.org

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)
Offers interest-free loans to Coast Guard military and civilian employees to help with essential expenses such as rent, insurance, and childcare, up to the member’s monthly housing allowance.
1-800-881-2462 |  assistance@cgmahq.org

EANGUS We Care for America Foundation
Grants and loans for National Guard service members experiencing hardship.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Supports active-duty Sailors and Marines with financial assistance and grants.

VFW Unmet Needs Program
Provides up to $2,500 in grants (not loans) for basic necessities; funds go directly to creditors.

AFL-CIO State Shutdown Resources
State-by-state guide to financial aid and legal rights for affected employees.

Congressional Research Service Report R47716
Data report showing federal civilian employment by state and district.

Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS)
Comprehensive furlough resource packet for civilian federal employees.

Federal News Network Coverage
Updates on new assistance programs, grants, and support efforts.

Partnership for Public Service — Resources for Federal Employees
Centralized hub for financial, mental-health, and career resources during shutdowns.