For federal employees who are missing their regular paychecks, there is help out there! Take a look at some of these banks and other institutions offering assistance.

No one I know could last long without a paycheck. During the current partial governmet shutdown, the 800,000 federal employees impacted all over the country can turn to several financial institutions and utilities for help.

Navy Federal Credit Union

NFCU is offering a zero percent APR Loan during the government shutdown for all eligible federal employees and active-duty servicemembers of the Coast Guard. You must have already set up direct deposit in order to take advantage of this offer.

Visit the NFCU website for shutdown assistance and request a one-time loan. Once your pay resumes, the amount credited to you as the loan will be automatically deducted as repayment. Keep in mind: This loan program is constantly evolving and will be making disbursements in conjunction with the regular scheduled paydays.

Wells Fargo

Banking giant Wells Fargo has established a full page of customer service options for help with mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, student loans, auto loans, and banking loans for affected federal employees. Their public statement directs members to call the numbers listed on the shutdown assistance page to ask about loan forbearance or alternative options.

Justice Federal Credit Union

JFCU has issued a statement of special assistance to its members of the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security who are currently affected by the shutdown. They will be offering unsecured, low-interest rate loans and deferred loan payments for eligible credit union members.

Members can call (800) 550-5328, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. EST, and Saturday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. EST.

Provident Bank

New Jersey's Provident Bank is allowing impacted federal employees to make early withdrawals from CDs (certificates of deposit) without penalties and canceling late fees for mortgage and credit card payments. You can also request up to three refunds on checking account overdraft fees under this current plan.

These are just some of the many reported banks stepping up to help out furloughed and essential federal employees who are going without pay. Because this situation is changing on a daily basis, be sure to scan national news stories for updated offers from other institutions.

Assistance with utilities

Banks aren't the only ones helping with the financial impacts of the shutdown. In the DMV, Washington Gas customers can request payment deferments, a gas budget plan to spread out expenses over 12 months, or help from the Washington Area Fuel Fund. Clients should sign in to their Washington Gas account to view their current status and call (844) WASH-GAS to discuss their options.

Dominion Energy has always had a robust customer service program for high bills but wants its customers to know that it extends to those affected by the shutdown as well. Dominion customers can request payment arrangements to spread out balances and also apply for energy assistance.

If you find yourself in dire straits, reach out to your creditors and see if they have any options for deferments or refinancing. Check with your bank to see what sort of low or no-interest rate loans they may have. There are lots of stones out there; don't leave any unturned!

**All photos in this article are courtesy of Pexels.

Have you found additional financial assistance for federal employees? Tell us about it in the comments below.