As the federal government shutdown continues, Maryland is taking steps to shield residents from its growing economic and household impacts. Governor Wes Moore has announced expanded state programs that provide relief and assistance to affected workers.
Governor Wes Moore has announced new measures to assist Maryland federal workers affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown, which is now the longest in US history. The expanded support includes an additional round of no-interest loans for federal employees working without pay, free transit across all Maryland Transit Administration core services, and $10.1 million in state funding to maintain energy assistance for thousands of households.
Since the shutdown began on October 1, Governor Moore has deployed a series of efforts to protect residents, from providing emergency food assistance to advancing SNAP benefits for November. The latest actions continue that commitment by bridging critical service gaps left by the federal government’s lapse in funding.
The Maryland Department of Labor will now offer a second $700 no-interest loan through its Federal Shutdown Loan Program to help excepted federal employees cover essential expenses. Meanwhile, the Maryland Department of Transportation is extending free rides to all federal employees on local bus, light rail, metro subway, and mobility/paratransit services.
To prevent disruptions to home heating and energy benefits, Governor Moore also authorized $10.1 million from the state’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund to sustain the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, which serves nearly 13,000 households statewide.
In partnership with local leaders, the administration continues to offer additional supports for affected workers, including job placement services, unemployment resources, and assistance related to housing, health coverage, and food access.
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. 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, said Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy.