Photo credit: PSNS and IMF
By Lee Burnett
The biggest local impact of the federal government shutdown, now in its third week, appears to be workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.
Most of the 6,700 shipyard employees are working without pay, although some have been furloughed, according to numerous sources. About 500 of those workers live in Sanford, the largest sending community to the yard.
“There are a lot of people potentially impacted,” said State Rep. Anne Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford. “Most people seem to be living paycheck to paycheck … so they can get in trouble very quickly.”
Mastraccio has publicized links to sources of financial help. As a result of legislation passed by the Maine Legislature this year, eligible employees have access to voluntary, no-interest loans during any partial or full government shutdown lasting more than seven consecutive days. Eligible employees can receive up to three loans during a shutdown. Each loan can equal the worker’s monthly take-home pay (after taxes), minus any unemployment benefits, with a maximum of $6,000 per loan, she said.
The program is administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). You can learn more about here.
Kennebunk Savings is participating in the loan program, and People Choice Credit Union and Atlantic Federal are offering similar zero percent loans without FAME backing, according to the Metal Trades Council.
“It would be wonderful if other financial institutions would sign up,” said Alana Schaeffer, president of the council, the largest union at the shipyard. She noted that Kennebunk Savings is “being inundated,” with applications.
“Things are very hectic and confusing for people,” she said. “It’s hard to maintain focus on their job when you are questioning how you’re going to pay the bills.”
In addition to the federal loan program, the Maine Department of Labor (DOL) has published guidance related to unemployment insurance benefits for federal employees who are affected by the federal government shutdown. The filing process for a federal employee is different from the process for other workers. Available resources are on DOL’s website.
https://www.maine.gov/labor/news_events/article.shtml?id=13290516
Federal funding for multiple programs continues to flow into Sanford, despite the shutdown.
In the schools, special education and early intervention programs are unaffected because they are “forward funded,” according to Superintendent Matt Nelson. School breakfast and lunch programs are “guaranteed through October. After that, we’re not sure. We may not get reimbursed,” he said.
The meals programs will continue even if federal reimbursement stops through state and local sources, he said.
At York County Community Action Corp, “our programs are all up and running,” said Carter Friend, executive director of the anti-poverty agency. That includes the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, transportation programs, and home energy programs. He said programs would continue, even through a protracted shutdown due to the diversity of funding sources and state and local partners.
“At this point in time, we do not currently have concerns about our ability to continue programs,” he said.
The agency encourages anyone needing help to check resources available on its website: yccac.org.
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