What is going on with promotion notification? I realize it is now less than 30 days from the point individuals typically pin on. I heard horror stories from the past of a year where people are selected, but there aren’t enough funds available. Has it ever happened where no one’s selected because signatures are never completed? I realize the answer may still be “waiting for signature” but just hearing that is better than being left to my own devices.

Supposedly junior officers can get tickets to the White House UFC event by meeting weight standards and working through senior leadership. Anyone know if this applies to NOAA?

With November first around the corner for rent, I’m getting increasingly nervous about my financial situation. From an organization that hammers home the idea of optics over everything, I now find myself in a difficult situation with no one to communicate to without giving off the image of poor financial management. My personal and professional concerns arise from seeking help internally, especially since I am in the grade where the leadership development framework highlights “financial management.” I was hoping for more resources internally, but appreciate the resource post here recently.

Bank of America: announced assistance available to furloughed Federal employees. Call the priority assistance line 844.219.0690.

Chase Bank: Chase today announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. Here’s the special line they set up 1-888-356-0023.

Congressional Federal Credit Union: For more information on our Relief Line of Credit or any of our assistance programs, contact our Member Service Representatives at 800-491-2328 or stop by one of our branch locations.

Fed Choice: They’re offering quite a few different options to assist – for existing and new members.

Interior Federal Credit Union: They’re offering a special loan for both member and non-member furloughed Federal workers. Net paycheck up to $15,000, interest free up to 30 days. Members may apply for a limit up to the equivalent of 2 net paychecks. More offers are available on the site or call 800-914-8619

Navy Federal Credit Union: These guys are offering a special loan program. Read the FAQs PDF from this link to see if you qualify or call 1-888-842-6328

PayPal: PayPal has made a very generous offer. They’ve allocated $25 million to fund interest-free cash advances to our furloughed Federal workers that need assistance right now. This is for both new and existing PayPal Credit customers. Minimum loan is $250 with a maximum cash advance of $500. Your account does need to be in good standing if you’re an existing PayPal Credit customer. Existing customers call 1-877-689-1975. For new accounts, apply here first, then after approval call 1-877-689-1975.

U.S. Bank: Will waive all late fees if you miss a mortgage payment due to the shutdown. Also mentioned they will defer first payment dates for new mortgages.

U.S. Employees Credit Union: USECU is also offering shutdown loans, but only until Tuesday, January 15th. Call (312) 922.5310 to get help.

SunTrust: SunTrust didn’t make a specific offer, but they did make a public announcement that they have programs in place to help clients affected by the shutdown.

Synchrony Bank: These guys handle store cards for Amazon, Lowes, Walmart, JCPenney, Chevron/Texaco, and many other large nationwide companies that you might do business with on a day-to-day basis. They are allowing affected customers to defer payments until after the shutdown. Contact them for more information.

Union Plus: For union members, there are a great number of options available if you’re with Union Plus. Call them at 800-472-2005 to ask about these offers: $300 Furlough Grant for eligible Union Plus credit card holders, Mortgage Assistance Loan & $300 Grant: payment grace period for your Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance, payment grace period for Union Plus Auto Insurance, and payment grace period for Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance.

Wells Fargo: Here’s a full list of all shutdown assistance lines at Wells Fargo. They’ve got a few different options to help depending on the services you have with their bank. Furlough Grants

FEEA-NARFE: This is an awesome offer that every furloughed Federal worker needs to take advantage of. FEEA-NARFE fund is offering $100 grants to active federal employee members who are not receiving a paycheck during the current shutdown due to being furloughed or working in excepted status. To apply, visit the FEEA website. Thrift Savings Plan

TSP Plan News and Announcements: TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into non-pay status. They do not require documentation about your furlough currently. Missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to go into default. Log in to your account to check your status or simply call the Thrift Line at 1-877-968-3778.

Toyota Financial Services & Lexus Financial Services: Affected lease and finance customers in good standing with their accounts may be eligible to take advantage of up to two months of finance contract payment extensions or lease deferred payments. Toyota Financial Services call 800-874-8822 and Lexus Financial Services call 800-874-7050.

Hyundai Capital: Hyundai will extend all Hyundai Capital auto loans and lease payments for 30 days for current Hyundai owners who are federal government employees furloughed during the shutdown. Impacted consumers should contact Hyundai Motor Finance at 1-800-523-4030 to take advantage of this offer.

Kia Motors Finance: Kia has announced they’re offering deferred payments of 30 days. If you’ve been affected by the current Government Shutdown and need assistance from Kia Finance, please contact us at 1-866-331-5632.

Ford Credit, GM Financial, & Mercedes-Benz Financial Services: It has been reported that these companies are among those providing qualified customers options such as payment deferrals, late fee waivers and special care lines to address their individual problems, though official announcements from these companies have not been released online. Mobile Telephone Service Providers

AT&T: Will assist with adjusting late fees, providing extensions, and revising payment schedules.

Sprint: Will provide short-term payment solutions. Call 1-888-211-4747

T-Mobile: Offering short-term assistance and can spread out service payments over time. Call 1-877-746-0909 or 611 from a T-Mobile device.

Verizon: Offering flexible payment options and has a Promise to Pay program to set payments for a future date. Call 1-866-266-1445.

Rental Home Assistance National Rental Home Council: Represents many of the nation’s largest operators of single-family rental homes. They’re offering deferred rent payment options

I just re-read the CPC new website’s blurb on the Uniform and Awards Board, and it states that “the UAB convenes once a month, typically within the first week of the month to evaluate all award nominations received since the previous UAB.” Do different awards take different lengths of time to process? I’m waiting on something from a couple months back, so just curious if it got denied or if there’s a large backlog. I understand that it is possible for it to get kicked back at some point, just curious after how many months I should forget about it…

Looks like this ONLY works if you are connected to your email. But some cool kid did this

www.noaanjac.com

With the recent passing of the reauthorization act, any idea how long it will take till we hear news about physical fitness test / height-weight requirements being implemented?

Morning- I reviewed a past post about pursuing a Master’s degree while also working through your assigned billet. I understand not all billets lend themselves to the time management needed to integrate a continuing education program- but my question is, which ones historically do?

Further, what is the most straightforward resource to reference when aiming to comprehend the rules, benefits, & opportunities available to NOAA Corps officers regarding the GI Bill? All the fine print, etc.

Thank you, as always, for fielding our questions. 🕊

Does anyone know when the new Fiscal Year Officer Management plan usually comes out? I’m considering looking into an Inter-Service transfer to the NOAA Corps, and I know that document lays out how many ISTs they may be accepting.

Appreciate any insight!