January 3, 2018

Guidance for Federal Employees Facing Financial Insecurity

The Boston Bar Lawyer Referral Service will be closely monitoring the government shutdown, how it will affect federal government employees, particularly those in Massachusetts, and will continue to post relevant resources and guidance. If you have any questions at all, please connect with one of our intake staff at 617-742-0625, and we will connect you to resources and referrals for legal assistance. You can also connect with a lawyer referral 24/7 though our online referral platform by clicking here.

As a result of the partial government shutdown, some federal employees and their families may be experiencing financial insecurity due to the lapse in pay, and the uncertainty of when they will be paid next.

Below is some information about what to do about your bills and other debts if you think you will have trouble paying them.

• The National Consumer Law Center has many resources about surviving though financial difficulty, including which debts to pay first, dealing with student loans, credit card debt, and more. Here are some of the main topics of relevance to those facing pay freeze or loss of wages:
  • Prioritize Debts Whose Non-Payment Immediately Harms Your Family
  • Student Loan Repayment Rights
  • What Every Homeowner Should Know About Mortgage Payments
  • Defending a Home from Foreclosure
• MassLegalHelp has basic legal information online about consumer debts, what to do if you cannot pay your bills, and how to contact your creditors.
  • www.masslegalhelp.org/consumer
• The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office Consumer Advocacy Division provides information specifically for Massachusetts consumers, including rights and protections that you may have against unfair debt collection.
  • www.mass.gov/service-details/fair-debt-collection
• The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts has information for debtors about bankruptcy options.
  • www.mab.uscourts.gov/mab/faqs-debtors

If you are unable to pay for a lawyer, the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder can help you connect with pro bono legal aid programs, nonprofits and court programs offering assistance for free.

In addition, some information on the range of issues which federal government employees are affected have been released by the Office of Management and Budget (OBM) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Details about what to expect with regards to your pay and benefits should be relayed to you from the OBM or OPM directly. Their websites also have some general information and guidance on steps you can take. This information is intended to provide general guidance, but you should always consult with a lawyer if you have specific questions.