You are eligible to receive assistance from the Federal Shutdown Loan Program if:
- You are Maryland resident;
- You are employed by the federal government; and
- You must report to work but are not being paid because of a full or partial federal government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations (that is, you have been designated as an “excepted” worker during the shutdown).
The current shutdown is a partial shutdown, involving only the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). To be eligible, you must be a current DHS employee, and you must be required to work without pay during the shutdown due to a lapse in federal appropriations.
Additional Resources
- The State of Maryland’s website Maryland Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Actions outlines additional available resources, and we recommend taking a look to see if they would be helpful for you. These include housing resources, utility assistance, food assistance, and veterans resources.
- Workers impacted by the partial federal shutdown are also encouraged to contact their credit unions and banks to inquire about loan programs or other relief they may be offering.
- If you are ineligible for the February 2026 Federal Loan Shutdown Program due to an outstanding balance from the October 2025 shutdown loan program, you may become eligible for the new loan once your outstanding debt from the previous shutdown loan has been repaid.