Clinton Township, MI (October 8, 2025) |
In response to the ongoing federal government shutdown, FreeStar Financial Credit Union is stepping up to support members and families affected by furloughs and missed paychecks. As a financial institution founded by the military and rooted in community service, FreeStar Financial is offering a range of assistance options designed to ease the burden for those facing financial hardship.
“Supporting our members through tough times is what the credit union philosophy is all about—people helping people,” said Drema D. Isaac, President and CEO of FreeStar Financial Credit Union. “Several of our members are active-duty military, veterans, or federal employees who serve our country every day. We are proud to be there for them now when they need us most.”
FreeStar Financial has activated its Government Shutdown Assistance Program, which offers three relief options for furloughed members:
- Skip-A-Pay Program: Members may skip up to three monthly payments on eligible loans, freeing up funds for essential expenses.
- Special Assistance Signature Loan: A “no credit pull” loan of up to one month of take-home pay (maximum $10,000), with no payments for 90 days and a special low rate of 9.24%.
- Standard Signature Loan with 90-Day No Payments: For those with less than six months of government direct deposit or for new members on furlough, this loan provides flexible terms and the same 90-day payment deferment.
Each option helps members maintain financial stability during the shutdown without added stress, for whichever assistance is most helpful to them. To qualify, members simply need to provide documentation verifying their furlough status.
“We have programs ready to activate whenever our members face unexpected hardships, such as emergencies or government shutdowns,” said Jennifer Martines, Chief Growth Officer at FreeStar Financial Credit Union. “While we don’t yet know how long this shutdown will last, we want our members to know we’re here for them—with financial relief options and personalized support to help them through.”
FreeStar Financial Credit Union encourages members affected by the shutdown to contact their local branch or call 586-466-7800 to discuss personalized support options.