The longest shutdown in United States history has made life difficult for federal workers, Coast Guard members, and their families. With no end to the shutdown in sight, many of these people will not receive a paycheck for the foreseeable future.

The uncertainty around the entire situation has forced some people to make tough financial decisions. Because of this, a lot of businesses and organizations, nationally and locally, have decided to reach out and help those who need it as the shutdown goes on.

Here is a list of some of the programs and efforts underway across New Jersey to help the estimated 6,700 federal workers and Coast Guard members.

Financial and Medical Assistance

A number of banks and financial institutions have announced they will assist federal employees who are trying to get by while not being paid. Discover, Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo are just a few of the many businesses offering help.

OceanFirst Bank, through its Mortgage Relief Program, will suspend mortgage and home equity loan payments for up to 90 days, without tacking on additional fees and interest.

Sturdy Savings Bank announced it is offering assistance to customers who are being affected by the government shutdown.

The nation's four major cell phone companies, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon & AT&T have announced they will help its customers through a variety of methods, such as holding late fees and creating flexible payment plans to keep their customers phones on.

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Hackensack Meridian Health is pleased to announce that we will waive co-pays and deductibles for emergency visits at all... Posted by Hackensack Meridian Health on Friday, January 18, 2019

Hackensack Meridian Health says it will be waiving copays and deductibles for emergency visits at all of its network hospitals and urgent care centers for furloughed federal employees and their insured family members. The locations include Hackensack University Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

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Cape Regional Urgent Care would like to assist the families directly affected by the government shut down. We will... Posted by Cape Regional Urgent Care on Friday, January 18, 2019

Cape Regional Urgent Care is also waiving copays and deductibles at its three urgent care facilities. The company says "any out of pocket expenses" incurred by government workers or their families will be waived if workers bring their government identification and notify the receptionist when arriving at one of the facilities.

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Andrew Miller | For NJ.com

Education

Middlesex County College announced it would defer tuition payments for students and parents of students who are federal employees or a federal contractor. For those who apply for the college's payment plan, the application fee will be waived and the first payment will not be due until two weeks after the end of the shutdown. More information can be found at www.middlesexcc.edu/shutdown.

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Thomas Edison State University said Coast Guard students will still be able to be enrolled in the school even though the federal tuition assistance has stopped because of the shutdown. The university, which has 135 active-duty members, 27 of whom are registered for February classes, stated its foundation is helping by deferring their tuition until their tuition assistance is once again available.

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Colette Doudin

Food Drives and Collections

Virtua Health System announced it was conducting an emergency food drive through Jan. 25. Virtua employees will be collecting and dropping off items to its Marlton-based corporate headquarters and other Virtua locations. The company also announced it will be offering free produce through its Mobile Farmers Market program.

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Public Affairs Public Notice Dear Nutley Residents Due to the recent government shutdown, I’m sure you are aware that... Posted by Township of Nutley, NJ on Wednesday, January 16, 2019

The Township of Nutley is collecting gift cards for federal employees to purchase groceries and other items. Federal employees who would like to receive the gift cards can contact the township's Department of Public Affairs and their identities will remain confidential. Anyone wishing to donate can drop the gift cards off at 149 Chestnut Street in Nutley. For more information, contact Sharon Bozza at (973) 284-4976.

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A GoFundMe page was set up to help pay members of the Coast Guard during the partial government shutdown. Coast Guard members are not receiving pay because the military branch falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security. The page has set a goal of $1 million. At the time of this posting, the page has received $12,179.

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Bethany Grace Community Church in Bridgeton has a free food pantry and clothing closet for those who need help. The pantry and closet will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday Jan. 19 at the church.

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We got married not far from the U.S. Coast Guard base in Cape May, NJ. Because of going without pay due to the gov.... Posted by Jenny & Tyler on Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Lighthouse Church in Cape May is also helping out members of the Coast Guard, asking for gift cards, toiletries, and other items to give to members and their families.

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Cape May Brewing Company

Cape May Brewing Co. held a Shutdown Donation Day to help raise money and collect donations for Coast Guard members and their families. The brewery company has also said it would donate $1 of each sale of its "Always Ready" Pale Ale or "Always Ready" merchandise sold in its tasting room until the shutdown ends.

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A benefit to help the U.S. Coast Guard will be held Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. in Waretown. The event is being held at Breakers Kitchen & Tap and is being hosted by Backward Flag Brewing Co. and Heavy Reel Brewing Company. The proceeds go to the Chief Petty Officer's Association of the Jersey Shore to help families affected by the shutdown.



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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced an online assistance guide for Federal employees who are... Posted by County of Union, New Jersey on Friday, January 18, 2019

Union County has created an online portal to help people affected by the shutdown. The county also has set up drop-off locations for people to donate items such as diapers, feminine products and other items, or make a donation to the Community Food Bank of NJ. The county says census data shows there are nearly 460 federal employees who live in the county. For more information on the drop-off locations or other programs available to during the shutdown, visit www.ucnj.org/federal-shutdown

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We appreciate you keeping our shores safe no matter what! Neptune, Wall and Seabrite locations too. (Not Available on delivery) Posted by Bubbakoo's Burritos on Thursday, January 17, 2019

Restaurants

Bubbakoos's Burritos announced that Coast Guard members can eat free at its Point Pleasant, Manasquan, Neptune, Wall and Sea Bright locations. The offer is not available for delivery.

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Attention all Federal Employees & their families who aren't being paid during the Government shutdown! Saffron Wyckoff... Posted by Saffron Wyckoff on Sunday, January 13, 2019

Saffron, a restaurant that serves Indian-cuisine in Wyckoff, is offering free lunch every week for all federal employees and family members. To take advantage of the lunch, all federal employees have to do is present their federal identification.

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FREE Lunch to Federal Employees & their families, NOT being paid during this Government shutdown! Downtown Dhaba... Posted by Downtown Dhaba on Friday, January 11, 2019

Another Indian-cuisine restaurant is helping. Downtown Dhaba in Westwood is offering free lunch to federal employees and their families while the shutdown continues.

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📣ATTENTION ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES📣 . . . If you are affected by the shutdown, your Coffee is on us until our government figures out a way to work together again! Posted by Hidden Grounds Coffee on Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Hidden Grounds Coffee is giving out free coffee to federal employees during the shutdown at each of its five locations.

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Gregory's Restaurant & Bar in Somers Point is offering free tacos on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Coast Guard members and federal employees until the shutdown is finished.

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Steve's Burgers in Garfield is offering free burgers and fries to government employees impacted by the government shutdown.

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All workers affected by the government shutdown are welcome to receive a FREE $10 Gift Card. (One gift card per ID, no cash back) #feedtheFEDS PLEASE SHARE!! Posted by Harrison House Diner on Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Harrison House Diner in Mullica Hill will be handing out a free $10 gift card to federal workers who show their government identification cards. There is a limit of one gift card per person.

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Good morning, due to the shutdown if any employees affected, please come to hunger-free Bayonne Saturday morning for... Posted by Hunger Free Bayonne on Thursday, January 17, 2019

Hunger Free Bayonne is offering breakfast and a "special food item" for federal employees who present their federal identification Saturday morning.

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The Greenhouse Cafe announced it will be giving a $20 discount to Coast Guard members serving at the Barnegat Light location.

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As the government shutdown continues we at The Little Daisy Bake Shop understand that our federal friends in the... Posted by The Little Daisy Bake Shop on Monday, January 14, 2019

In Montclair, the Little Daisy Bake Shop is offering furloughed government employees and federal contractors a selection of its "sweet treats" from 5 to 6 p.m. every Sunday as long as the government shutdown lasts.

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We at Collier’s would like to get on board and help the Coast Guard families in any way that we can. These courageous... Posted by Collier's Liquor Store on Friday, January 18, 2019

If a few members of the Coast Guard are looking to lift their "spirits," Collier's Liquor Store in Cape May is offering 15 percent off the entire order for active Coast Guard members and their families who present their identification.

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The doors are open! As a Proud member of our Coast Guard Community, this weekend we are offering 50% off cocktails with... Posted by Nauti Spirits Distillery on Friday, January 18, 2019

Nauti Spirits Distillery is offering 50 percent off cocktails to active duty Coast Guard members. Coast Guard members are asked to bring their active duty identification when they visit the distillery.

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We are now offering 50% off Coast Guard and Federal employee’s meals during the shut down. Must show valid ID. Posted by Harbor Burger Bar on Thursday, January 17, 2019

Harbor Burger Bar in Stone Harbor is offering half-off meals to federal employees and Coast Guard members as long as they bring their federal identification.

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HELP FOR UNPAID FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PET OWNERS DURING GOVT SHUTDOWN. Amwell Pet Supply in Hillsborough NJ will donate a 5... Posted by Hope Valenti on Thursday, January 17, 2019

Humans are not the only ones that are affected by the shutdown. Pets still have to eat. Amwell Pet Supply in Hillsborough is offering a 5-pound bag of dog food, 2.5-pound bag of cat food, or other bags of food for smaller animals to any federal employee who is not being paid during the shutdown.

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We provide energy assistance programs that make it possible for customers to manage their energy bills. If you are... Posted by Atlantic City Electric on Monday, January 14, 2019

Utilities

Atlantic City Electric and PSEG announced it has assistance programs available to help. The utility companies say those who are experiencing temporary or extended financial hardship due to the government shutdown are able to apply for the assistance through the Department of Community Affairs website, a local LIHEAP Agency, or by calling 1 (800) 510-3102.

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Sometimes circumstances make it difficult to pay your energy bill. We'd like to remind our customers, especially those... Posted by PSEG on Thursday, January 17, 2019

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If you are a federal employee or contractor that has been affected by the shutdown, we want to invite you to enjoy free Open Play and a meal. We will continue to offer this until the shutdown is over. Please provide your most recent pay stub to the front desk upon arrival. pic.twitter.com/wYCdB3iTAP — Play City (@PlayCityNJ) January 14, 2019

Entertainment

There are a number of entertainment-related places and attractions offering help to individuals and families during the shutdown.

Play City in Weehawken is offering free "Open Play" and a meal for anyone affected by the shutdown, as long as a recent pay stub is displayed at the front desk when arriving at the location.

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Community is our cause: The Madison Area YMCA is working to help federal government employees with their membership... Posted by Madison Area YMCA (NJ) on Wednesday, January 16, 2019

The Madison Area YMCA is offering a free YMCA membership for one month for federal government employees during the shutdown

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Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

The Harlem Globetrotters announced they would provide two free tickets for furloughed government workers on their ongoing tour while the shutdown continues.

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AirBnb announced it started "A Night on Us," a program in which a federal executive branch employee who hosts either an AirBnb Experience, or three nights in their home over the three months between now and March 18, 2019, will get up to $110 extra from the company.

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Lori M. Nichols | For NJ.com

Lucy the Elephant announced to everyone that she is giving free admission to all federal workers during the government shutdown.

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If you are a local government employee who is not getting paid due to the government shutdown then I'd love to offer my photographic services for a head shot that you can use to seek other employment. Posted by Imma Photography on Friday, January 18, 2019

One unique offer

Photographer Imma Barrera is offering her services for workers who are looking for new employment.

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The offers and support the Coast Guard is receiving is not going unnoticed. The Coast Guard Station in Manasquan Inlet/Shark River shared its appreciation on Facebook Friday.

"We cannot thank our community enough for the tremendous support we continue to receive," the Coast Guard station posted on Facebook. "Please accept our heart felt thank you as we navigate these uncharted waters. Like many of the storms we have weathered, together as a family we live up to our core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty, we will not faultier!!! We will arise through this storm as many in our historical past stronger, closer and more ready to take on future endeavors!!! Our men and Women with their heads held high show why we will always be the worlds premiere life saving service by standing the watch. To our community we will be forever greatful.#ReadyRelevantResponsive

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AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

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Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews or on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Subscribe to NJ.com's newsletters.