ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced additional actions to support Maryland residents impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown, including an expansion of the state’s loan program for federal employees, free public transit for federal workers on core services, and $10.1 million to maintain critical energy assistance benefits.
“In Maryland, we protect our people—no matter the cause or crisis,” said Gov. Moore. “While the Trump administration refuses to follow the law and at a time when Washington is telling Americans you’re on your own,’ Marylanders are stepping up. Extra financial cushion will help ensure our public servants aren’t left in the lurch. But as I’ve said before, the only long-term solution is for President Trump to come to the negotiating table in good faith and open the government.”
Since the start of the shutdown on October 1, the Moore-Miller Administration has taken multiple steps to protect Marylanders, such as announcing resources for public servants; declaring a State of Emergency and distributing $10 million to food assistance organizations; and announcing $62 million to help Marylanders who receive SNAP get benefits in November. Governor Moore also announced actions in February of this year to support Maryland’s federal workers impacted by federal workforce layoffs, firings, and changes to federal funding.
The additional actions to protect Marylanders include:
Second Loan for Essential Employees Working Without Pay: In response to the financial challenges federal workers are facing during the federal government shutdown, Governor Wes Moore activated a second, no-interest $700 loan for “excepted” federal workers through the Maryland Department of Labor’s Federal Shutdown Loan Program. This announcement follows the launch of the program during the shutdown’s second week, and provides an additional financial bridge for essential federal employees.
Additional loan program information and the application are available at mdol.submittable.com/submit.
“Our goal is to provide support to our dedicated federal workers as quickly and seamlessly as possible,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “Federal Shutdown Loans can’t replace a paycheck, but they can help relieve some of the financial strain excepted federal workers are facing right now, as rent, insurance, and other bills come due.”
Free Transit for Federal Workers on Core Services: The Maryland Transit Administration will offer free rides to federal employees for core transit services, including local buses, light rail, metro subway, and mobility/paratransit. These services are in addition to existing free ridership services provided for MARC and Commuter Bus.
“I commend Governor Moore for his leadership in expanding free transit for federal workers across all MDOT MTA services,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle. “So many federal employees—including hundreds of air traffic controllers and TSA agents at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport—are showing up and doing their jobs without getting paid. We’re grateful for their dedication, and we hope free transit rides can help ease some of the stress they're feeling.”
Maintaining Critical Energy Assistance for Marylanders: To address the Trump Administration’s failure to provide October or November funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which supports the Maryland Energy Assistance Program for nearly 13,000 Maryland households, Governor Moore signed an executive order authorizing $10.1 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to bridge the federal funding gap. This funding will ensure Maryland households can continue to heat their homes and power essential household and medical equipment, particularly as colder winter months approach.
“Governor Moore is taking decisive action to keep Marylanders warm as winter approaches and the federal government shutdown threatens life saving benefits,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López. “No Maryland family should be left in the cold because the Trump Administration failed to perform its most basic duty.”
For more information, view the fact sheet on Governor Moore's additional actions to support Maryland’s federal public servants and ensure access to key federal programs.
“We are deeply honored to welcome Governor Moore and his cabinet to Prince George's County today, and grateful for their decisive action to confront the financial crisis that Maryland families, especially those here in Prince George's County, are experiencing due to this unprecedented government shutdown,” said Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy. “Our partnership during this challenging time is vital to ensuring our public servants and communities have the support they need weather the crisis coming from the federal administration.”
As the shutdown continues, Maryland will continue to offer a broad range of supports for federal employees and other workers impacted by federal actions, such as:
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Support in finding a new job through 33 American Job Centers and a specialized Professional Outplacement Assistance Center, including individualized career guidance, résumé workshops, mock interviews, career and skills assessment, effective job search strategies, and networking support;
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Additional career resources, such as information on transitioning to a teaching career;
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A weekly virtual workshop designed specifically for former federal employees and federal contractors, and attended by more than 1,600 workers to date;
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Job fairs and recruitment events;
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Unemployment insurance;
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Resources for veterans;
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Legal resources; and
- Resources related to health coverage, housing, and food, cash, and other assistance.
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