U.S. government advises workers on staving off creditors amid shutdown

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

POLITICS DECEMBER 27, 2018 / 12:26 PM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As a partial shutdown of the U.S. government stretched into its sixth day, the agency that oversees the federal workforce offered advice on staving off creditors to the estimated 800,000 employees who could be affected by a lapse in pay.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) suggested furloughed workers could offer partial payments to mortgage lenders and posted on its website form letters they could use.

“I am a Federal employee who has recently been furloughed due to a lack of funding of my agency,” said one of three templates offered by the agency. “Because of this, my income has been severely cut and I am unable to pay the entire cost of my mortgage, along with my other expenses.”

In a Twitter post, OPM said idled workers should contact personal attorneys if they needed advice on dealing with creditors.

-snip-


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-shutdown-workers/u-s-government-advises-workers-on-staving-off-creditors-amid-shutdown-idUSKCN1OQ1A3

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Link to tweet

[James48]

1. I'm good.

I get my last paycheck next Tuesday.

The first one I will miss is two weeks after that. But I’m ready- I’ve been stocking up on food, my Federal Employee Union has an emergency fund for members if need be, and I just want that bastard to find out nobody supports his position.

I expect to be out until January or February. I’m fine with that. I want to see his ass indicted, and his piddely VETO over-ridden. Eventually even republicans in Congress will vote to override his veto.

Stand fast- Federal employees in unity against this clown.

As long as it takes- I’m good.

[erronis]

10. Me too. I saw that the gummint was going to crash so I bought guns and ammo.

When there's no money to pay the mortgage my weapons will take care of it.

If my wife and kids need food, I'll go out and scrounge some from neighbors - friendly or not.

When the gummint hellcopters circle around, I'll be ready.

We're the Real Americans, the Great Americans.

Now, where's our pResident off to?

Marde-Largo?

[Solly Mack]

2. lol

Sorry. My husband is one of the essential workers who are now working without pay.

Those letters might work with some but this "advice" is meaningless really.

[tanyev]

3. Be sure to consult the attorney you can no longer afford to pay.

[flibbitygiblets]

7. I know, what a clueless thing to say to someone with no money

Surprised they didn't say "get a loan from your rich dad"

[IronLionZion]

4. And many contractors are screwed and will never get back pay

and some were forced to dip into their retirement funds early and withdrew money while the stock market is low.

But it was satisfying to unfriend Trump supporters gloating online about this.

[niyad]

5. and wal-mart trains its employees on applying for assistance like food stamsps, etc.

what a sad, sad commentary on the state of "government" in this country.

[mwooldri]

6. A lot of creditors know this already and will work things out.

From my times at American Express, during shutdowns federal workers were given time to pay.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

12. In the early 1990s, I lost my job and was out of work for over a year.

I had a fair amount of credit card debt, and was able to reach arrangements with all except one of my creditors. The sole exception was American Express. They treated me like crap. Apparently, showing consideration for debtors with financial problems was not part of the company culture.

[No Vested Interest]

8. Any advice on Federal employees staving off creditors should come directly from 45's voice,

since he is "proud" to take credit for the Trump shutdown.

He should read the statement, (pre-written for him, of course), and it should be played over and over as a "public service message", until he decides that perhaps the Wall is not so important after all.

[Just a Weirdo]

13. The furloughed should send their past due bill to Trump

Demanding that he pays for the bills related to the shutdown.

[AKing]

9. Not many people living paycheck to paycheck have a "Personal Attorney'. Stupidity knows no bounds.

[NCjack]

11. Missing from the list is this advice:

In every election in the future, even for dog catcher, water board, school board, etc., you must vote DEM for every position -- like your economic well-being depends on it.

[SWBTATTReg]

14. And all of this suffering and running around to cover bills etc. to pay for a stupid wall. ...

Pathetic to say the least...there are more important things to worry about, than a non-existent problem that exists only in rump's mind, who is mining this issue solely as a political gimmick.

[area51]

15. Republican simple answers to complex problems. Can't afford healthcare?

Barter with chickens.

[nitpicker]

16. In contrast, one Federal Credit Union offered zero-percent loans to cover paychecks

https://www.navyfederal.org/about/press-releases.php

Although those automatically eligible include just impacted Federal employees and active-duty Coast Guard, they invited other members to "visit a branch or call to discuss their situation with a representative." They might actually have a clue that it often takes two incomes to keep afloat.

Check to see if your institution has similar arrangements.

[ooky]

17. Wonder why he doesn't just go out to his money tree and subsidize the federal employees

like he did with the farmers who were victims of his trade war? He certainly hasn't shown any reservations about increasing his deficit spending.

M$M has been reporting a poll showing 33% of respondents blaming democrats for his shutdown. Really? Want to bet that 33% number would drop if the same poll was conducted only among the 800,000 federal workers going without paychecks?