Hebrew Free Loan fund to help federal workers in region

The Hebrew Free Loan Association has created a fund to assist federal workers in the Pittsburgh region who are affected by the government shutdown.

The association will make interest-free loans of up to $2,500 available to furloughed federal employees effective immediately.

The loans do not have to be repaid until the workers are reinstated and receiving paychecks.

“We try to respond to financial needs in the community as they arise,” said Aviva Lubowsky, director of marketing and development for the association based in Greenfield.

The association last week was contacted by an employee of the U.S. Coast Guard and one from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh seeking assistance.

“We became aware the employees were going to miss their first paychecks so we put together a proposal” to help them, she said.

To qualify, the government workers must live in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington or Westmoreland counties.

All federal workers not being paid including those qualified as essential, nonessential or contractors are eligible.

Although contractors are not guaranteed to receive back pay when the shutdown ends, the association included them in the program because of the need among federal workers to cover day-to-day expenses, said Ms. Lubowsky.

She declined to disclose the total amount set aside for the loans.

To keep up with expected demand for the loans, the nonprofit association is seeking donations from the public.

The association, founded in 1887 by a congregation of Jewish immigrants in the Hill District, typically makes about 100 loans a year that average $6,000 to $8,000.

For more details and to apply or donate, go to www.hflapgh.org.