Tens of thousands of federal government workers live in Prince George’s County, and many have been furloughed, laid off or even terminated since President Donald Trump took office in January.
“This administration has treated our federal government workers like trash, said Prince George’s County Council Chair Ed Burroughs. “It’s so important that this community come together to let our federal workers know that they are not alone,” said Prince George’s County Council Chair Ed Burroughs.
He’s partnering with 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County to set up a $1 million federal worker relief fund.
But there are eligibility requirements: you have to live in District 8, and you have to be impacted by federal furloughs, layoffs and the shutdown.
“The government shutdown and workforce reductions have placed families under financial burden, uncertainty and in many cases, genuine crisis,” said Marquez Ball, the president of 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County.
Burroughs says $800,000 will come from MGM Casino impact grants and the rest from the council grant fund.
He described the need as extraordinary. Burroughs said he’s used to having people calling his office .. asking for help with rent and other needs, but he said, “I am not used to seeing our federal workers drive up in BMWs and Mercedes Benz, literally there because they can’t afford to go to the grocery store.”
Burroughs says the amount of assistance will depend on how many apply, but he anticipates each person getting at least $1,000 to use as they need, whether it’s for food, gas, housing and child care.
“It’s not going to solve the problem, but this is our fight back,” Burroughs said.
The deadline to apply for that one-time assistance online is Nov. 21, and residents can apply here.
Burroughs says residents in his district will also receive a mailer with information about the relief fund.
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