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Deals for East TN furloughed federal employees during government shutdown

The end of the country's longest government shutdown is still unclear so local, state and national groups are offering deals to federal employees.

The partial federal government shutdown continues on, and the end of the country's longest shutdown is still unclear.

This uncertainty has many federal employees are feeling the financial pressure as debates continue. 

RELATED: Here's what will and won't close during the government shutdown

In an attempt to ease this burden, many local, state and national groups are offering deals from free meals to flexible cell phone payment options.  

Local:

K Town Tavern is offering a 50 percent discount on the entire food bill for up to four people to all government employees. Be sure to show your work ID at the restaurant. This discount is for food only and does not include alcoholic beverages.

Milano's Pizza & Family Buffet in Newport is offering a free meal to all federal employees.

Yassin's Falafel House is offering free meals to government employees. All you need to do is show your employee ID to the cashier.

WATCH & READ: Yassin's offers free meals to federal employees during government shutdown

Whole Earth Grocery in Gatlinburg is offering a free lunch to all local federal employees.

RELATED: Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley to provide pet food to furloughed employees  

The Tennessee School of Beauty at 4704 Western Avenue is offering free haircuts for government employees, furloughed or not, impacted by the shutdown. If you are interested, contact 865-588-7878 to make an appointment.

The Douglas J Aveda Institute on Gay Street is offering all furloughed federal workers a complimentary hair cut. Show your employee ID at checkout.

RELATED: Second Harvest packs food boxes to help feed TSA workers affected by shutdown

Tanger Outlets in Sevierville is offering a $20 gift card to furloughed government employees. Bring your federal ID now thru Jan. 28 to get a gift card.

KyBRa Athletics is offering free strength and conditioning classes for federal employees. For more information, call 865-999-3126 or email david@kybraathletics.com. Walk-ins are also welcome. 

RELATED: Smokies to reopen some campgrounds, restrooms

The Salvation Army is offering assistance to federal employees. Call the Knoxville office at 865-525-9401 Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. for more information. 

Financial:

ORNL Federal Credit Union has created the Furlough Assistance Loan Program to assist members who are federal employees and not receiving a paycheck due to the recent government shutdown. Contact the credit union at 865-688-9555 or 800-676-5328 or stop by any ORNL FCU branch for more information.

Restaurants:

Potbelly Sandwich Shops nationwide are offering federal government employees buy-one-get-one free entrees from Wednesday, Jan. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 27. All you need to do is show your employee ID.

Fazoli's is offering a free pizza baked spaghetti to federal employees during the government shutdown. Present a valid federal government employee ID through Sunday, Jan. 27.

Romano's Macaroni Grill is offering all furloughed federal government employees a free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with federal ID until the government shutdown ends. The offer is not valid at airport or international locations.

State Resources:

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development said federal employees may be eligible for unemployment as long as they and can apply for benefits through the state’s workforce development website, www.Jobs4TN.gov. This is also the website where claimants complete their weekly job search certifications.

RELATED: Tennessee SNAP renewal deadline today; recipients warned to budget during shutdown

The University of Tennessee said it is working with students who are unable to get federal forms related to their financial aid due to the government shutdown. UT students with questions should call One Stop Student Services, 974-1111. 

Service Providers:

AT&T is offering flexible payment options to customers affected by the shutdown. It said their customer service team will adjust late fees, provide extensions and coordinate with customers on revised payment schedules. 

Verizon is also offering flexible payment options to customers impacted by the shutdown with its Promise to Pay program, which allows you to set a future date for payment quickly and easily. You can set up in the My Verizon app or in My Verizon with your smartphone, tablet or computer browser.

T-Mobile is also working with customers who are federal government employees and need short-term account assistance to arrange flexible payment options that allow customers to spread their service payments over time. Payment deferral is also an option. T-Mobile is offering the same support to government account customers. To discuss how T-Mobile can help, call 611 from a T-Mobile device or 1-877-746-0909 from any phone. 

Sprint Customer Care is working with federal government employees seeking short-term payment solutions. Call 888-211-4727 or go online to chat with a Care representative. Additional information about Sprint payment options are available Sprint.com. 

Rosetta Stone is offering a free three-month trial to federal government employees. Email expandyourworld@rosettastone.com during this offer period to claim a 3-month, no-cost online subscription for any of the available languages. Include the name of the government department or agency you work for. This offer is good through Jan. 31. 

RELATED: If you stopped getting paid today, could you survive on your savings?

This article will be updated as the shutdown continues and 10News learns about other deals.

 

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