ARLINGTON COUNTY, Va. - Arlington is home to many federal workers likely furloughed under the partial shutdown, as well as businesses that could be feeling effects from the shutdown. In response, the County has taken steps to ease the strain on those affected:
"I am hopeful that our efforts as a County will make a difference, but the longer this goes on, the more difficulty we're going to be facing," Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz said. "Until this shutdown is over, I am asking every Arlington resident and business-owner to be on the lookout for opportunities to help those who might be in need."
Financial impacts to the County
The County receives only a small percentage of its total revenues from federal sources, mostly in the form of reimbursements for locally administrated assistance programs. The County is continuing to monitor the status of these programs for any potential disruptions.
The shutdown could also impact County tax revenues through lower economic activity. During the last major shutdown, in October 2013, the County saw a decline in sales, meals and hotel tax revenues due to drops in government-related business travel to the area. An absence of federal workers in key business districts on weekdays also brought less spending at restaurants, dry cleaners and other local businesses. The County maintains reserve funds specifically to address such unexpected events and shortfalls in revenue.
Arlington Landlords and Rental Property Owners
The federal government shutdown impacts many families' abilities to support their households. Arlington County urges landlords and rental property owners to exercise flexibilities to not displace or adversely affect households during this difficult period. Residents who anticipate challenges in making their rent payment as a result of the shutdown are encouraged to speak with their landlords about their circumstances.
Flexibilities landlords should exercise with tenants are:
Employment Services for Arlington Residents
The Arlington Employment Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for any impacted federal employees who wish to receive job search and employment case management services or to receive assistance in applying for Unemployment Insurance (UI) through the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). The Arlington Employment Center hosts a VEC office onsite to assist Arlington residents in the application process.
Affected Arlington residents can also apply for Unemployment Insurance through the VEC website at www.vec.virginia.gov or by calling 866-832-2363. To receive Virginia Unemployment Insurance benefits, one's job duty station must be located in Virginia. If one's job duty station is located in the District of Columbia, he or she must apply with the District of Columbia at www.DCNetworks.org. If one's job duty station is located in Maryland, he or she must apply with the state of Maryland's office or at www.mdunemployment.com.
For any questions on employment services, please call 703-228-1300 or visit the Arlington Employment Center at 2100 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22204 - Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.