Credit unions in every state, congressional district and community have been stepping up to serve workers affected by the government shutdown, CUNA has told Members of Congress in weekly communications throughout the shutdown. Using information that credit unions are sharing with CUNA, the shutdown assistance page is helping to reinforce the people helping people philosophy at the core of the credit union makeup.

“Members of Congress are rightly concerned about the effects of the shutdown on more than 800,000 affected workers, and we wanted to make sure they stay up-to-date about how credit unions are working hard around the country to come to members’ aid,” said CUNA Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer Eli Joseph.

The messages highlight services like 0% APR loans, skip-a-payment penalty forgiveness, withdrawal and other fee waivers and more, available to federal workers affected by the shutdown.

CUNA has also responded directly to several legislators that have reached out for information on how financial institutions are responding to the shutdown.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), chair of the House Financial Services Committee, reached out at the beginning of the week, and CUNA responded with its full list of credit unions assisting members.

This list was also sent to Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Mary.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), of the Senate Banking Committee, on Thursday in response to a letter to credit unions and other financial institutions asking what they are doing to aid workers impacted by the shutdown.

CUNA is continuing its push to collect credit union products and services available for federal workers who have now missed at least one paycheck, instances of which can be sent to CUNA Director of Public Affairs Stephen Fitzmaurice at sfitzmaurice@cuna.coop.