Launch Credit Union announced Wednesday it is offering a 0% loan program to assist local federal and contract employees who are missing paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The special loan is designed to provide immediate financial relief, allowing qualified members to borrow up to $5,000 at 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for up to 12 months. An option for up to 24 months at 5.99% APR is also available.

Loan Eligibility and Details
To qualify for the assistance, applicants must be an existing federal or contract employee directly affected by the shutdown, resulting in missed pay. The deadline to apply for the special loan is Nov. 30, 2025. You can apply at the following link:  https://www.launchcu.com/news/government-shutdown-loan/

Individuals who are not current Launch Credit Union members can become eligible by opening a savings account with a minimum $5 deposit. All applicants must provide proof of a government job and a copy of a recent paystub.

Members can apply for the loan online at launchcu.com or receive assistance from a loan specialist at any Launch CU branch. Launch Credit Union is rated ‘excellent’ by Bauerfinancial.com and serves all who live, work, worship, or attend school in the counties it serves.

Aiding the Community
“We realize many people in our area are challenged with missing paychecks due to the continued government shutdown,” said Launch CU President and CEO Joe Mirachi. “As a credit union and a strong community leader, we are here to help our members during this difficult time.”

“We’ve been here for 60 years helping people meet their financial needs, through good times and bad times,” Mirachi added.

The credit union, which has 17 branches and $1.4 billion in assets, is emphasizing its “people helping people” philosophy during this period of financial uncertainty for government workers.