Lakewood, CO – In spite of generous donations from the BlueCross/BlueShield Association, GEICO and GEBA, and nearly 100 individual donations in the last week, FEEA is forced today to suspend new furlough-related loans to civilian federal employees.
“FEEA’s Board and staff are distraught by the necessity of suspending new furlough loans to federal employees. It is always our goal to be able to assist every fed, every time, however, financial circumstances compel us to take a different path at this time. We remain hopeful that new donations and sponsorships will allow us to continue serving needy federal employees as sequestration continues and additional budget constraints threaten federal families.” said FEEA Board president Robert Tobias.
Since the start of FEEA’s fiscal year on May 1, 2013, emergency loan volume has nearly doubled each month, reaching a record high of more than $235,000 out the door in August alone. Average loan volume for FEEA is less than $50,000 per month. Total emergency loans in the first four months of the fiscal year have topped $500,000, or nearly 90% of annual loan volume for the past several years. This unprecedented need has created cash flow problems for the organization, which now must dramatically cut back new loans in order to remain solvent.
Donations to FEEA’s General Fund are urgently needed in order for FEEA to resume providing assistance to furloughed employees and to prepare for continued sequestration-related cuts affecting federal employees as soon as October. Donations may be made via credit card on FEEA’s web site at www.feea.org/Give. Donations via check made out to “FEEA” may be sent to: FEEA Headquarters, 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80227. Corporations interested in becoming FEEA sponsors should contact Robyn Kehoe at rkehoe@feea.org or 202-554-0007.
Employees who have recently submitted applications for furlough loans will receive an email from FEEA explaining the current situation. The charity will retain the applications of those it is unable to help at this time in hopes the financial situation will improve and it will be able to re-evaluate those applications. FEEA will continue providing no-interest emergency loans to federal employees who meet FEEA’s general guidelines for financial need. Employees must be having trouble paying for basic living needs like rent/mortgage or utilities due to emergency circumstances beyond their control that have created a significant drop in income or a considerable increase in expenses. Furloughed employees may still apply if they have other life circumstances beyond furloughs that have created the financial hardship. Those seeking FEEA loans should complete the regular Emergency Assistance application available at www.feea.org/furloughs.
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FEEA is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency, primarily funded through federal employee contributions to FEEA CFC Pledge #11185 and donations to special relief funds. Since 1986, FEEA has provided more than $11.5 million in scholarships to civilian federal employees and their dependents. The FEEA Emergency Assistance Program has provided more than $9.75 million in financial assistance to federal families experiencing natural disasters such as floods, fires and hurricanes, and to those experiencing unforeseen personal emergencies such as illness or death in the family. FEEA also receives both monetary and in-kind support from corporate sponsors BlueCross/BlueShield Association, GEICO, Long Term Care Partners, Engility Corporation, Compass Rose Charities, GEBA, and Federal News Radio. For more information about FEEA, visit www.feea.org or call 303-933-7580.
