AFGE members can receive financial assistance during government shutdowns, if they are laid off from their jobs, or if their ability to work is impacted by illness or disability by utilizing a credit card program exclusively provided to union members and their families.
Issued by Capital One, the Union Plus Credit Card is available to eligible members of participating unions, including AFGE, as well as eligible retirees and family members. Credit approval is required, and terms and conditions apply.
The Union Plus Credit Card program offers everyday purchasing convenience along with access to hardship grants for eligible cardholders – including assistance during qualifying government shutdowns or other hardships.
The program offers three card options: Primary Access, Rate Advantage, and Cash Rewards. Each has no annual fee, with features designed to meet different financial needs. Primary Access emphasizes responsible credit use, Rate Advantage offers an introductory interest rate promotion, and Cash Rewards provides 1.5% cash back on qualifying purchases.
Choosing a card should start with your household budget and how you expect to use it. Members who pay their balance in full each month may value cash rewards, while those considering a balance transfer should compare transfer fees, the introductory period and the interest rate that applies afterward. Review the current offer carefully before applying, since rates and promotional terms can change.
For federal employees, a particularly relevant benefit is the $500 government shutdown hardship grant. Eligible cardholders may qualify if they have been unemployed because of a government shutdown for at least 14 consecutive days and meet the program’s other requirements. The shutdown must begin at least three months after becoming a cardholder, and the account must be in good standing when the shutdown begins. Approved grants do not have to be repaid.
This benefit makes it helpful to understand the program before a shutdown occurs. Opening a card after a shutdown begins would not satisfy the three-month requirement for that event. Members should also review the eligibility rules carefully: an interruption in pay alone does not necessarily establish eligibility, particularly for employees required to continue working without pay.
Separate assistance is available through the $1,000 job loss or furlough grant. Qualifying cardholders must meet the program’s requirements, including at least 45 consecutive days of unemployment resulting from an eligible involuntary job loss, furlough, or layoff. Members should review the applicable grant rules to determine the assistance that fits their circumstances.
Other hardship assistance includes a $2,700 disability grant for eligible cardholders experiencing qualifying income loss because of an illness or disability. Each grant has its own eligibility, documentation and application requirements. Assistance is not automatic simply because someone holds the card.
Cardholders can manage their accounts online or through the Capital One mobile app, making it convenient to check balances and monitor account activity. U.S.-based telephone customer service is available around the clock.
A credit card is a financial commitment, so take time to understand its costs and benefits. For AFGE members facing the uncertainty of federal employment disruptions, knowing about available hardship assistance can be an important part of household financial planning.
To explore card options, review current rates and fees, or learn about hardship eligibility, visit the AFGE Credit Card benefits page.
Efforts to overturn President Trump’s pay freeze and provide all federal employees with a cost-of-living increase next year are building steam on Capitol Hill ahead of crucial budget negotiations set to resume after the midterm elections in November.
Read More
AFGE and other unions who challenged the Trump administration’s illegal mass firing of federal workers during the 2025 government shutdown have reached a settlement agreement in the case that formally ends the termination effort.
Read More
AFGE is urging lawmakers to support new bipartisan legislation that is needed to address persistent shortages of federal workers who are critical to ensuring the safety of our nation’s railroads.
Read More
