HARRISBURG – Some help for furloughed federal workers in Pennsylvania. An emergency response system has been set up to provide information and updates to the workers as the partial US government shutdown continues.
PA 211, the United Way of PA, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Government Employees District 3 have set up for the workers to send a text message. From now until the shutdown is over, those affected can text FEDSD to 898-211 to receive updates and information.
Joanne Troutman, President of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, “We’ve got a lot of local banks offering low-interest loan programs, as well as some utility companies and oil companies who are giving clients sort of a break or walking them through their regular process they would go through.”
The text message system will also direct subscribers to specific resources and how to connect with a 211 center if their need is urgent. Statewide and/or regional resources are also being collected by the coalition. They are available on the Government Shutdown Resources web page.
Troutman says the more the shutdown lingers, the bigger the concerns, “I’ve heard from some partner agencies that are starting to get calls about people needing car repairs, or gas cards and that sort of thing. I know through my social networks that there are people who are very concerned as this shutdown lingers, and even now, we’re going into the place of two missed pay checks as of Friday. It’s going to start getting really scary.”
Troutman says United Way Worldwide has launched a “United for U.S. Fund,” talking to labor union and large corporations on ways to continue getting money to local United Way organizations. Troutman also says the Valley United Way is continuing to work on ways to be ready to act to protect affected families.
Troutman hopes the negative effects of the shutdown will bring more awareness to the community, “I don’t know if there’s a silver lining to be had in all of this, but certainly it would be beneficial if this all got wrapped up peacefully and soon, just because there are thousands upon thousands of people, even in our own community, who are being affected. Hopefully, maybe this brings to light that this can happen to anybody. We do rely a lot on our government to make the right decisions for us.”
The partial government shutdown has now lasted about five weeks.
