Government
Shutdown Relief Fund

United Way does not take political positions. Our aim is to help people and strengthen communities. When a government shutdown occurs, it’s not a political matter for the families suddenly without paychecks or the nonprofits struggling to meet a surge in requests for help. We’re stepping in to bridge the gap, ensuring hardworking Louisianans, especially those living under the ALICE Threshold, can access essentials like food, housing, and utilities.

Federal action is critical, and we’re encouraged by efforts to restore operations. But while leaders work toward a solution, families across Southeast Louisiana are missing paychecks and facing urgent bills. Our Government Shutdown Relief Fund provides immediate, local relief to stabilize families and nonprofits until federal assistance resumes. Every dollar donated stays in our region, supporting neighbors directly.

The fund supports federal employees, SNAP participants, and nonprofits affected by the shutdown that are providing food, housing, utility, and other emergency supports. United Way works through our trusted community partners to identify and reach those most in need.

Individuals and nonprofits can find information and resources at UnitedWaySELA.org/ShutdownResources. This page lists available assistance programs and local partners ready to help. Details on how to access aid from the Government Shutdown Relief Fund will be posted on our website and shared across United Way’s social media channels in the coming days as funds become available.

Every dollar donated to the Government Shutdown Relief Fund is restricted to this specific purpose and distributed through our established, audited processes. We will provide updates on how funds are spent and the impact achieved across Southeast Louisiana.

United Way is nonpartisan and does not assign blame. Our priority is people, not politics. We’re calling on all leaders to work together swiftly to end the shutdown and restore stability for Louisiana’s families and economy.

United Way of Southeast Louisiana is in ongoing communication with local, state, and federal officials to share the real-time needs and challenges facing families and nonprofits in our region. We are also part of a bipartisan call for collaboration to end the shutdown and prevent further harm to households already struggling to get by.

ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) describes individuals and families who earn above the federal poverty level but still cannot afford the basic cost of living. Many federal employees fall within this group. When paychecks stop, they have no financial cushion to absorb the shock. Even before the shutdown, we were receiving record levels of requests for rent, food, and utility assistance, evidence that many households were already stretched to the breaking point.

We applaud Governor Landry’s leadership in ensuring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue to flow to Louisiana families during the shutdown. This effort protects a crucial lifeline for thousands of households already struggling to put food on the table. Many SNAP recipients are hardworking people who hold essential jobs that simply don’t pay enough to cover basic expenses.

In Louisiana, nearly one in five residents rely on SNAP to afford food, including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-wage workers. These benefits support the grocery budgets of families who are earning too little to keep up with the rising cost of living. Keeping SNAP active during the shutdown helps stabilize both families and the local economy, as those dollars are spent immediately in neighborhood stores.

Even if the shutdown ends immediately, its effects won’t disappear overnight. Missed paychecks, delayed benefits, and mounting bills leave lasting financial and emotional stress. United Way and our partners will continue to provide support through the Government Shutdown Relief Fund to ensure families and nonprofits recover fully and no one is left behind once operations resume.

The best ways to help are to donate and share:

• 💙 Donate at UnitedWaySELA.org/ShutdownRelief
• 📣 Share United Way’s social posts to spread awareness
• 🤝 Encourage impacted families to visit UnitedWaySELA.org/Shutdown-Resources for local assistance

Together, we can make sure no one in Southeast Louisiana faces this crisis alone.