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Maryland Expands Shutdown Relief With Second $700 Loan, Free Transit and $10.1 Million for Energy Aid

The state moves to cushion unpaid federal employees during the shutdown's seventh week.

Overview

  • Gov. Wes Moore authorized a new round of no‑interest $700 loans for excepted federal workers who are required to work without pay.
  • State officials report more than 2,200 applications and over 1,500 processed loans under the Federal Shutdown Loan Program.
  • Both $700 loans must be repaid within 45 days after the federal shutdown ends, and furloughed or laid‑off workers are not eligible.
  • Maryland expanded free fares for federal employees across MDOT MTA core services, including local buses, light rail, Metro subway and mobility/paratransit, supplementing earlier free MARC and commuter bus service.
  • An executive order shifts $10.1 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to support LIHEAP, and a separate Nov. 3 action provided $62 million to ensure full November SNAP benefits.