Government Shutdown: Where Furloughed Workers Can Find Support

We will be compiling a rolling list of companies, agencies and groups that are offering support to furloughed government workers across Ohio but with a special focus on Northeast Ohio. If your organization or company wants to be included in the list, please email us. 

Utilities

 First Energy Ohio: Special payment options. 

• Ohio Edison: 1-800-633-4766
• Toledo Edison: 1-800-447-333
• The Illuminating Co: 1-800-589-3101

​Dominion Energy Ohio is offering "flexible winter bill payment options."

• Dominion customers who have an online Dominion account can make arrangements on the account (www.dominionenergy.com) or they can call the company at 1-800-362-7557.

Columbia Gas of Ohio:

• Payment Plans – Plans to help make home energy costs more manageable.
• Winter Reconnect Order – A program to have service restored or maintained with a payment of $175 plus a small reconnection fee.
• Low-income energy assistance programs available through local community action agencies or Salvation Army chapters.
• Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) – Option for households at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline.
• Budget Payment Plan. Waive late fees and extended payment options.
• Columbia asks that customers call 800-344-4077 to inquire about payment options.

Financial Services

United Consumer Financial Service will defer monthly payments for 30 days.

• Contact: 1-800-338-6507

Stock Yards Bank & Trust: Customers can apply for 90-day, no-fee, interest-free loan of $1500.

•  Contact: 800-625-9066

Fifth Third Bank is offering credit and loan assistance.

• For personal loans and credit solutions, call 866-601-6391 from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET, Mon.–Fri., and from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. ET, Sat.
• For mortgage loans and lines of credit, call 866-601-6391 from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET, Mon.–Fri.
• For Business Banking support, call 877-534-2264 from 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET, Mon.–Fri., and 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ET, Sat. Or email bbgsupport@53.com.

Summit County Treasurer is offering property tax extensions to furloughed workers.

• Request an extension by Feb. 15 by calling 330-643-8472 or emailing summittreas@summitoh.net 

​Lucas County Treasurer is offering property tax extension to furloughed workers.

• Contact: 419-213-4303 or treasurer@co.lucas.oh.us

Hebrew Free Loan Association of Northeast Ohio is offering interest-free micro-loans up to $10,000

Food

Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Inc.: Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Inc. is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Romano's Macaroni Grill: For every day the government shutdown is in effect, Macaroni Grill is offering all furloughed federal government employees a free Mom's Ricotta Meatballs and Spaghetti.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop: Government workers can get a buy-one-get-one free sandwich deal Wednesday, Jan. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 27 when they show a federal government ID.

Freestore Foodbank: Freestore Foodbank is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Senate Restaurant: The restaurant is offering to feed all federal employees and their children for free at both their Over-the-Rhine and Blue Ash locations.

Cincinnati Public Schools: Cincinnati Public Schools: Families affected by the shutdown may qualify for free or reduced meal plans for their children. Registration online. Questions, 513-363-0800

The Foodbank, Inc.: The Foodbank, Inc. is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Shared Harvest Foodbank: Shared Harvest Foodbank is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Mid-Ohio Foodbank: Mid-Ohio Foodbank is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

West Ohio Food Bank: West Ohio Food Bank is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

SE Ohio Foodbank: SE Ohio Foodbank is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio: Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Second Harvest Foodbank of Clark, Champaign, & Logan Counties: Second Harvest Foodbank of Clark, Champaign, & Logan Counties is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank: Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley: Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley is offering food assistance to all furloughed workers affected by the government shutdown.

Health

TriHealth: Will not ask for co-pays if patients alert staff they are a government employee at time of service. Billing for those services will be delayed until the shutdown ends.

Retail and Services

Tanger Outlets: Now through January 28th, Tanger Outlets is offering a free $20 Gift Card to impacted government employees.