National City Chamber of Commerce chairman Victor Gonzalez, owner of IC Public Safety, said he has friends who are federal government employees. They, like those across the country, have been affected by the federal government shutdown.
“I have a lot of friends who have been impacted — TSA and customs and border. One is stressing out, he just bought a home and his mortgage is still due. He’s had to borrow from family to pay his mortgage,” said Gonzalez. “Other agencies in the federal building downtown, one of my friend’s whole unit is closed.”
Some local businesses and nationwide businesses with locations in Chula Vista and National City are stepping in to help alleviate any financial stress felt by workers facing income insecurity.
“I’m offering 20 percent off to any federal employees who are not receiving a paycheck,” said Victor Lopez, owner of Bonita’s El Pollo Grill.
“Just show an ID from … work. We started last week but the offer will run until the end of the month. We’re all about the community,” Lopez said.
Until the end of the month.Chula Vista’s Zero Waste Society is offering 10 percent off all products on their website, www.zerowastesociety.com, according to owner Fabian Rodriguez. The company sells metal straws, glass straws and other products.
‘I’m a vet,” said Rodriquez, on why he sympathizes with the federal employees working without pay status.
Some banking institutions are also offerring relief to those affected.
“This partial shutdown has affected more than 100,000 out of our 8 million members,” said Tynika Wilson, senior vice president of debit cards and funds services for Navy Federal Credit Union.
“To date, approximately 15,000 members have enrolled in our assistance program, the vast majority of whom received funds on Monday, the first missed pay date for the Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security and several other departments. Navy Federal will continue to accept registration until three business days after your scheduled pay day.”
Navy Federal is offering a zero percent APR advance on direct deposit to eligible members who are impacted. No credit check is required.
“During the shutdown, Wells Fargo will be automatically reversing monthly service and overdraft/non-sufficient fees for a customer who is an employee of an affected federal government agency and whose payroll check was direct deposited into the customer’s account in November 2018. In addition, we will work with customers who do not have direct deposit or are not receiving an automatic fee reversal on an individual basis to assist them.
“Customers can contact us at (800) TO-WELLS or at the number on their credit card, debit card or statement. For customers who are having difficulties making their loan payments, we also can work with them to identify short- or long-term assistance options that may be available to help them get through difficult this time,” according to Brian Lucero, spokesperson for Wells Fargo.
“Citi has a variety of ways to help customers facing hardships. These include fee and interest adjustments, which vary across lines of business. We encourage any customers affected by the federal government shutdown to contact us if they need assistance,” according to Drew Benson, spokesperson for Costco Citicard/Citigroup.
Members of the National City Chamber of Commerce, such as San Diego County Credit Union, are offering relief, according to Jacqueline Reynoso, president/CEO. Visit www.sdccu.com/promotions/government-shutdown-relief/.
Additionally, federal employees can set up a promise-to-pay-arrangement if they are a Verizon customer in their My Verizon app, or in My Verizon with a smartphone, tablet or computer browser.
The longest government shutdown in America’s history, now in its 27th day, has some federal employees — among which are Customs and Border Protection, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Internal Revenue Service — working without pay.
Some businesses are now offering discounts, longer financial grace periods and various forms of relief, among other offers, to those employees who have been impacted.
