Government Shutdown Help

How PNWFCU is Here for Our Members During the Government Shutdown

When the federal government enters a shutdown, many Americans are understandably concerned about the ripple effects on their finances, especially those who rely on federal paychecks or services. At PNWFCU, we want to reassure our members: we remain financially strong, fully operational, and ready to support you.

Your Money Has Been Safe with Us for Over 80 Years

Credit unions are not-for-profit, member-owned institutions. Unlike banks, our mission is centered on people – not profits. That means during times of uncertainty, like a government shutdown, our priority is clear: supporting our members’ financial well-being.

Here’s how we’re able to stay resilient:

Federally Insured Deposits: Your deposits remain safe and insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
Independent Funding: Our operations are not dependent on congressional appropriations. This means we continue to operate even when other government agencies pause.

Financial Assistance

Whether you’re facing a temporary income disruption or just need reassurance, we’re here to help. Our financial assistance options include:

Penalty-free certificate withdrawals for those directly affected.
Our Skip a Pay Program, allowing you to skip one loan payments per calendar year (check online for eligibility).

We will post other options here if the shutdown continues for an extended period. If you have questions or need assistance, please call 800-444-5858 or email us. Our team is ready to support you through this time.

FAQs

What is a government shutdown, and how might it affect me as a credit union member?

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass funding legislation that authorizes the resources needed to maintain specific or broad government programs. This can result in furloughed federal employees, delayed government contracts, and ripple effects on the economy.

Are my funds at risk during a government shutdown?

No, your funds are safe and insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUA) up to $250,000 per individual depositor, just like FDIC insurance for banks.

Who and what will be impacted by a partial government shutdown?

Benefit payments, like social security checks, are usually safeguarded from shutdown-related interruptions; however, customer service-related activities such as card replacements, benefit verifications and customer support could experience delays due to furloughed staff and reduced operations.
Most federal agencies will shut down operations except for essential employees that carry out national security, law enforcement, safety, and essential functions, such as TSA and air traffic controllers.
During a shutdown, federal employees generally fall into three categories:
- Workers whose salaries are financed through means other than annual government appropriations and so they continue to work and be paid (i.e., US Postal Services),
- Workers who are furloughed, and,
- Workers who continue to work without pay, also known as “essential” or “excepted” employees.

Neither furloughed nor excepted employees receive pay for the duration of a shutdown, but they may be repaid after funding is reestablished and the government reopens.

Military personnel’s pay could be impacted during a shutdown, but in recent shutdowns, most military pay has been maintained by congressional action.

Will the shutdown impact my ability to access government-related financial services (e.g., tax refunds, federal loans)?

Certain government processes, like IRS operations or federal loan disbursements, may be delayed.

Your Financial Partner for Life

We know this can be a stressful time and we are here to be Your Financial Partner for Life. Call 800-444-5858 or email us if you have any questions about your National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund coverage, financial assistance, or if there is anything else we can do to help you.