Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, in partnership with Assembly Members Christopher Constant and Jared Goecker, has instituted free bus rides and directed municipal utilities to offer flexibility and assistance to local federal employees and military families going without paychecks during the federal government shutdown.

These steps aim to help impacted Anchorage residents stretch their financial resources when they are missing paychecks. The federal government is one of the largest employers in Alaska, and about 8,400 civilian federal employees reside in Anchorage.

 "Local families are experiencing financial hardship for circumstances beyond their control, and no one should have to choose between putting food on the table for their children or paying a bill," said Municipal Manager Becky Windt Pearson. "This is a community that looks out for its own, and we are committed to helping our neighbors in this time of uncertainty.”  

“For many federal employees, this shutdown means real stress about real bills,” said Assembly Member Jared Goecker, who represents District 2, Chugiak, Eagle River, and JBER. “These benefits won’t solve everything, but I hope it takes at least one burden off their plate while they wait for Washington to do its job.”

Solid Waste Services and Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility can use existing resources and programs to provide customers options. Customer service teams have been instructed to work proactively with those impacted by the federal government shutdown, including federal employees on furlough and military households that may miss paychecks. Residents who are unable to pay their utility bills should contact customer service staff as soon as possible to discuss options.

Assembly Chair Christopher Constant added, “I'm grateful to the administration for determining how the Municipality can do its part to help our neighbors who might be struggling and extend my thanks to Member Goecker for raising the question of how we meet the moment.”

To ride People Mover buses for free, federal employees just need to show a valid federal employee ID to the bus operator when boarding. For AnchorRIDES, let the customer service agent know at the time of booking and show your federal employee ID at pickup.

Solid Waste Services encourages customers experiencing financial hardship to contact customer service to set up a payment plan or find another assistance option. For customers who contact SWS regarding hardship due to the shutdown, SWS will not send these accounts to collections.

Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility is state regulated and is not permitted to waive late fees or alter its billing policies based on individual circumstances. However, AWWU staff can provide referrals to the utility’s Coins Can Count program, which provides assistance to qualifying customers, and to other community support resources. Deferred payment arrangements may be offered to customers in good standing.  

Anyone facing food shortages should contact Alaska 2-1-1 for help connecting with community food resources such as the Food Bank of Alaska or food assistance programs.

Those who need help with rent or other utility bills should contact 2-1-1 to find out whether assistance options are available.

Military households can access food assistance through the Alaska Armed Services YMCA. The ASYMCA Marketplace offers food and personal care products at no cost to active duty, guard, and reserve service members and their dependents. 
 

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