ALBANY, N.Y.—New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a debt relief program for workers and families in New York who were affected by the partial shutdown of the federal government.
“Over the course of the shutdown, countless New Yorkers were impacted directly or indirectly, forcing them to forgo income and business. Even though the shutdown is over, the pain felt by those impacted continues. In an effort to support these workers and families and ease their financial burdens, the Attorney General's Office is offering temporary debt relief on certain debt for those furloughed federal employees, contractors, and their families,” the AG’s office stated.
The relief will apply from Dec. 22, 2018 to April 25, 2019, in order to provide those eligible with debt relief from the day the federal shutdown began to 90 days after the end of the shutdown on Jan. 25, 2019.
‘Innocent Victims’
“Too many New Yorkers were innocent victims of the federal shutdown – forced to live without income and forfeit business crucial to their livelihood,” said James. “Offering debt relief to thousands of workers impacted by the shutdown will allow them to get back on their feet without added financial burdens or the fear of penalization. Government is entrusted with protecting its citizens and I am committed to supporting these workers who were unfairly punished.”
The Attorney General’s Office recovers certain debts referred by New York State agencies. This debt relief program will only apply to individuals who have debt that has been referred to the Attorney General’s Office and who were impacted by the shutdown. In addition to federal employees who were furloughed during this time, this relief will also be extended to certain businesses and other workers who lost business or income as a result of the shutdown, the AG’s office stated.