ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced a wave of state resources on Wednesday to assist Maryland’s substantial federal workforce affected by the government shutdown.
Maryland, which is home to over 60 federal facilities, 260,000 federal workers, and more than 200,000 federal contractors, is anticipated to feel the shutdown’s impact significantly. State officials stressed the importance of supporting this large group of public servants during the federal funding lapse.
“The federal government is stepping away from its basic obligations to Maryland and our people,” Moore said. “In this state, we live Mission-First, People-Always. I encourage federal government workers to take full advantage of these resources.”
The state’s announced resources are primarily aimed at providing immediate financial relief and career support.
Financial Assistance and Unemployment
The Maryland Department of Labor will launch the Federal Shutdown Loan Program on Oct. 6 for “excepted” federal employees who are required to work without pay and are not eligible for unemployment benefits. This program offers a $700 no-interest loan to help with essential expenses, which must be repaid after the worker receives federal backpay.
Furloughed federal employees — those not working or being paid — may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits through the federal program Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees. Furloughed employees of federal contractors may be eligible for state unemployment benefits. Recipients of these benefits will be required to repay them once they receive retroactive federal pay.
Additionally, the Federal Worker Emergency Loan Program offers a zero-interest, $700 loan to former federal workers in Maryland experiencing financial hardship due to layoff during the shutdown.
Job Search and Other Support
Maryland is also offering comprehensive career services, including support in finding a new job through 33 American Job Centers and a specialized Professional Outplacement Assistance Center. These resources provide career guidance, résumé workshops, mock interviews, and job search strategies. The state also hosts a weekly virtual workshop for former federal employees and contractors.
The Moore-Miller administration affirmed it will work to ensure that major federal programs — including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, Head Start, and veterans’ services — continue to operate, assuming the state is reimbursed for eligible federal expenses.
The state has also made information about resources related to health coverage, housing, and food, cash, and other assistance available on dedicated state and Department of Labor websites.
More than 160,000 federal civilian jobs are located in Maryland. Past government shutdowns have had direct financial repercussions in the state, with the 2018-2019 partial shutdown estimated to have cost Marylanders $778 million in wages.
Governor Moore’s full press conference can be viewed below.
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