Crisis Assistance Ministry helping more federal workers as shutdown temporarily ends

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Crisis Assistance Ministry (CAM) has long helped Charlotte’s homeless and working low income families, but lately federal workers have been coming through the doors as well.

“They are living paycheck to paycheck and the loss of one, and now that second paycheck has made it hard for them to stay on top of their bills,” said Liana Humphrey, the Chief Marketing Officer for CAM.

Friday, hundreds of thousands of federal workers received their second check worth nothing as the shutdown went to 35 days.

“Unfamiliar situation, especially for federal workers who never imagined themselves in this situation,” said Humphrey.

Now, with the agreement reached to the open the government for three weeks, federal employees will have to wait for back pay and also fear the possibility of this happening again in 3 weeks.

“If we don’t get a fair deal from Congress the government will either shut down on February 15th again or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the United States to address this emergency,” President Donald Trump said Friday.

Fortunately, Humphrey said thanks to private and corporate donations, the ministry is able to handle the extra need. They are providing federal workers with financial help for things like rent, utilities, and other essentials.

“Please don’t be embarrassed about having to seek assistance. We understand that this is a really unusual situation for a lot of people,” said Humphrey.

If you are a federal employee, you can click here to learn more about what you can do or if you qualify for support.

Meanwhile, CAM is partnering with other agencies, like Second Harvest Food Bank to try and ease the burden for federal workers or those that receive federal help like food stamps.

February benefits were distributed earlier this month and that will have to last recipients through the end of February or longer.

"What we are encouraging people to do is try and budget those benefits because they do need to make them last through February,” said Humphrey.

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