As always, we stand prepared to provide support for all who need it — but are hoping to avoid yet another “natural” disaster.
Think about the last natural disaster. Maybe you were in the midst of it. The fear, the worry and then the hundreds or maybe thousands of people rushing to get aid. When a disaster strikes, circumstances change in a moment and basic human needs are threatened — food, water, shelter.
In a natural disaster, those closest to the edge often are the first to feel disruption to their daily lives. In its own “natural” disaster, the United States government shutdown has caused many federal employees who have not been paid since Dec. 22,2018, to have their financial lives turned upside down. Their basic needs are at stake.
A recent report from employment website, CareerBuilder, showed that 78 percent of workers live paycheck to paycheck, which means that many of those government workers who missed last Friday’s paycheck are already starting to miss paying bills, credit cards, loans and wondering if they will be able to feed themselves and their families.
If you own or rent a home, you are expected to pay the mortgage or rent even if you are a federal employee not getting paid. If you owe on a student loan, you are expected to pay. If you have credit card debt, some are provided relief, but unpaid federal workers may be more likely to default, resulting in credit issues and penalty fees.
