How an Emergency Financial Kit can Support You during a Government Shutdown

For many DOI employees, volunteers, retirees, and contractors, life often feels steady until something unexpected interrupts it. A government shutdown, delayed paycheck, or unplanned expense can quickly shift a manageable routine into something far less certain.

At Interior Federal Credit Union, we know these moments aren’t just financial challenges. They’re personal. Many of our members have lived through shutdowns and understand the quiet stress that comes with waiting, adjusting, and doing your best to keep things moving forward without clear answers.

That shared experience is what led us to create the Emergency Financial Kit. It’s designed to offer steady, practical support so you’re not left trying to figure everything out on your own when life shifts.

When the Unexpected Meets Everyday Responsibilities

Unexpected expenses rarely come at a convenient time. A sudden doctor’s visit, a prescription you didn’t plan for, or a car repair that can’t be postponed often shows up alongside bills and responsibilities that don’t pause.

Having support in place ahead of time doesn’t make challenges disappear, but it can make them feel far more manageable. When financial tools are already available, there’s less pressure to make rushed decisions. Instead, you can focus on what needs attention now, knowing you have options to lean on.

That sense of preparedness sits at the heart of the Emergency Financial Kit. It’s about staying grounded and maintaining control when life feels unpredictable.

What’s Included in the Emergency Financial Kit

The Emergency Financial Kit brings together a small set of thoughtfully selected tools, each serving a specific role. Individually, they’re helpful. Together, they’re designed to provide flexibility before, during, and after a disruption.

The kit includes:

• A Personal Line of Credit for quick access to funds when timing matters
• A Credit Card to help cover everyday expenses if income is delayed
• Platinum Debt Protection on eligible credit products for added support during qualified life events
• An Emergency Savings Account, to help build a financial cushion over time

Access to Funds, Without the Last-Minute Scramble

A personal line of credit is meant to be ready if and when you need it. Once approved, it’s available as a resource you’re not required to use unless a situation calls for it.

For many members, the reassurance comes from knowing access is already in place. During a shutdown or delayed paycheck, the last thing anyone wants is to navigate new applications or wait through approvals.

If an unexpected medical bill arrives or a necessary home repair can’t wait, you can address it thoughtfully, using only what you need. Interest applies only to the amount you borrow, helping you stay in control as circumstances unfold.

Keeping Everyday Expenses Moving

When income is delayed or disrupted, it’s often everyday expenses that feel most urgent. Groceries still need to be purchased. Gas tanks still need to be filled. Life continues, even when paychecks don’t.

Having a credit card already established can help maintain that day-to-day continuity. Our Rewards Credit Card is designed with flexibility in mind, helping members manage routine expenses during uncertain periods.

Reward points can be used toward fuel discounts, offering some relief for costs that don’t go away during a shutdown. Other card features include cash back, charitable donations, travel credits, and more.

Interior Federal also caps credit card rates at 18%. While responsible use is always important, this structure can help members manage balances more comfortably when budgets are already under pressure.

Extra Protection When Life Changes Quickly

Some events are simply outside anyone’s control. Illness, job disruptions, or government shutdowns can change financial circumstances with little warning, even when you’ve planned carefully.

Platinum Debt Protection offers additional reassurance during these moments. When added to eligible credit products, it can help cancel loan payments or remaining balances if a qualified life event occurs, including involuntary unemployment related to a government shutdown of 30+ days.

This added layer of protection is meant to help ease financial strain when sudden changes make things feel heavier.

Building a Safety Net, One Step at a Time

While access to credit provides flexibility, savings can offer stability. The Emergency Financial Kit includes an emergency savings account, created specifically for unexpected situations.

Keeping this account separate from everyday savings helps ensure funds are set aside for when they’re truly needed. Members are encouraged to build this balance gradually through small, recurring transfers that fit comfortably into their routine.

Even modest contributions can grow into meaningful support. Setting aside $50 each payday can add up to $1,300 after 26 pay periods, plus dividends. Over time, this savings can help cover things like an unplanned doctor’s visit, a prescription, or a necessary repair, without adding extra stress.

How the Kit Supports You Over Time

Financial disruptions rarely happen all at once. They tend to unfold in stages, bringing different challenges along the way.

Having multiple forms of support already in place allows you to respond thoughtfully as situations evolve. You’re not locked into a single solution. Instead, you can adjust, reassess, and choose what makes sense at each step.

That’s where the Emergency Financial Kit works best. It provides room to think clearly, maintain flexibility, and move forward without constant financial pressure. The goal isn’t to prepare for one specific expense, it’s to help you navigate whatever comes next with steadier footing.

Built for the Realities of DOI Employees and Families

Through our work with DOI employees, volunteers, retirees, contractors, and their families, Interior Federal has seen firsthand how shutdowns and funding disruptions affect everyday life. These moments don’t just impact finances, they interrupt routines, plans, and peace of mind.

As a member-owned credit union, Interior Federal exists to serve the people behind public service. Our close connection with the Department of the Interior and its extended community has shaped how we support members when circumstances are shifting or unclear.

That perspective guided the creation of the Emergency Financial Kit. It’s grounded in real experiences and designed to offer steady, practical support as needs change, whether this is your first shutdown or one you’ve navigated before.

Moving Forward, When You’re Ready

Preparing for a shutdown or life emergency isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about caring for yourself and the people who rely on you before challenges arise.

When you’re ready, you can start by applying for a personal line of credit and marking YES to establish an Emergency Financial Kit. From there, our team will guide you through the remaining steps, helping you put the right support in place at a pace that feels comfortable.

Interior Federal is here to help you move forward feeling prepared, supported, and steady, wherever you are and whatever comes next.