Furlough Resources

Family and MWR  Government Shutdown Services and Resources

Stay active, stay connected! 

Family and MWR offers free and low-cost resources to support the workforce during the government shutdown. For your mental and physical well-being, get outdoors to enjoy our parks and trails, workout at our gyms, swim at your indoor pool, or take the family bowling-all at little to no cost. 

Available Resources

• Redstone Lanes Bowling Center *
  • Furloughed government employees can bowl for only $1 per game (shoe rental not included). Discount cannot be used for leagues, parties or other functions. Lanes are limited after 4 p.m. during the week
• Redstone MWR Library *
  • Enjoy access to free books, movies, games, and more - no rental or late fees. 
• Sports, Fitness & Aquatics *
  • Visit Pagano Gym, COL Scott Fitness, and the Aquatics Center for free access for government civilians. 
• Parks and Pavilions
  • Carroll D. Hudson has a boat launch, fishing, picnic grounds, playground, softball fields, a volleyball court, a basketball court and a path to nature. (pavilion reservations are required)
  • Vincent Park has a playground, disc golf course, walking, biking and hiking trails. Bring your own discs for disc golf or check out some from Pagano Gym.  (pavilion reservation required, small fee applies) 

* Must present ID Card for these available resources. 

FURLOUGHED EMPLOYEE CHECKLIST

DO Make it Better

1. Create a Survival Budget & Communicate Proactively
   • Prioritize essentials to understand what income must be replaced.  Guessing leads to costly mistakes and emotional decision-making
   • Contact banks, creditors, and service providers to ask about furlough hardship options 
2. Take Action
   • Use emergency savings, sell unused items, and/or pick up extra work
   • Tap resources and charitable aid
     1. Military (and Retirees): Army Emergency Relief; Air Force Aid; Navy/Marine Corps Relief; Coast Guard Mutual Assistance; National Guard; Military One Source
     2. Veterans: Still Serving Veterans 
     3. Civilian: Federal Employee & Education Assistance Fund 
     4. Food Banks, Rental & Utility Assistance: dial 211 for United Way; Feeding America
     5. Army Community Service Financial Readiness and local AER Officer: +1(256)876-6299
3. Protect Yourself
   • Remain alert for scams at FBI and FTC, monitor credit  , and boldly set financial boundaries with friends and family

DON’T Make it Worse

1. Don’t Overextend
   • Avoid double-dipping in pay-day loans as repayment terms will overlap
   • Credit is a festering band aid—use only if necessary for essentials & repay quickly
2. Don’t Rob Your Future Self
   • Explore all tax and long-term implications before committing to a TSP hardship loan or property sale
3. Don’t Go It Alone

Seek professional financial information, not peer opinion