​Resources and support for veterans and military families

Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, MD Department of Veterans and Military Families​
Federal Worker Emergency Loan Program, MD Department of Labor

​FINANCIAL 

USAA offers support and resources for military and veteran members affected by government shutdowns. 

Navy Federal offers a Government Shutdown Assistance program, including 0% APR emergency loans for eligible members whose pay is disrupted by a government shutdown. 

VFW offers financial grants (up to $2,000) to active-duty service members (including activated Guard/Reserve) and their families facing unexpected financial hardship. 

 The American Legion offers Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) grants to help minor children of active-duty service members or Legion members when their families face financial hardship. 

Operation Homefront provides Critical Financial Assistance, offering short-term help to military families needing aid with bills, housing, car or home repairs, utilities, groceries, and other immediate needs. 

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides interest-free emergency loans to help Sailors, Marines, and their families with essential needs like food, utilities, car repairs, or travel if their income is disrupted by a government shutdown. 

National Guard Relief Foundation provides loans and grants to assist National Guard Service members and their families with financial hardships. 

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance offers 0% interest “shutdown loans” to support Coast Guard members, civilians, and spouses during a government shutdown for essential needs like housing, utilities, or repairs. 

Army Emergency Relief program provides zero-interest loans and grants to active-duty soldiers, retirees, and their eligible family members for essential needs like rent, utilities, medical costs, vehicle repairs, and emergencies. 

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) offers interest-free loans in a government shutdown to help Airmen, Guardians, and their families with essentials like food, gas, travel, or car repairs. 

​FOOD

The Capital Area Food Bank​ is  distributing food boxes to those in need. To receive food, visitors will need to show a government work ID. The locations in Maryland are:

​

​UTILITIES

BGE​, support options to impacted federal workers to help those customers manage their energy costs and avoid service disconnection.

Pepco​ support includes flexible payment arrangements, budget billing, financial support, and energy saving tools.​​

Verizon Wireless​ offers flexible payment arrangements for Federal workers, military, first responders. Make a payment arrangement to pay your mobile bill.​

WSSC Water​ support for federal employees impacted by the government shutdown to help ensure impacted customers continue to have access to safe, clean and reliable water and wastewater services.​

​​MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health: Schedule a mental health counseling appointment at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals. Both in-person and telehealth appointments are available.

Access online therapy and mental health support through Talkspace, a virtual counseling platform covered by TRICARE. 

There are many resources through Military OneSource and other Defense Department programs that support mission readiness and enhance quality of life for the military community. 

CAREERS

Hiring our Heroes (HOH) helps service members, veterans and military spouses find jobs by connecting them with businesses across the country. 

MySECO (Military Spouse Employment  Program) helps military spouses find education, training, and career opportunities. 

Utilize complimentary LinkedIn Premium and talk to a career coach through the Easterseals Veteran Staffing Network. American Job Centers also provide priority of service to veterans and their eligible spouses.

State Jobs: Apply for Maryland State jobs where veterans and eligible military spouses receive additional hiring credit for all competitive state jobs.