RESOURCES FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIANS AFFECTED BY NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION POLICIES

Since January, I’ve been closely monitoring the concerning developments in Washington that have left many in our community in need of support. Given our region’s large concentration of federal workers who have been under attack by the Trump administration, my office has been preparing for an increase in constituents seeking assistance. To facilitate this, we’ve created this webpage with information from federal partners to provide you a comprehensive list of resources.

As always, if you need assistance with a state agency, you can get help here.

Sincerely,

Senator Saddam Azlan Salim

Virginia Senate District 37

Resources for Federal Workers

If you are having problems with the Virginia Employment Commission, please visit our assistance form: salimva.com/cs

If you are a government employee with information related to the politicization of the federal workforce, the firing of civil servants, or waste, fraud, or abuse of taxpayer dollars, you may reach out anonymously to the Democrats on the U.S. House Oversight Committee.

You can review your employment rights under federal law here:

https://37e4c107-a967-40ce-911a-b00433def4b6.usrfiles.com/ugd/37e4c1_69bc72f1388542a8aa74112d28b26f95.pdf

Federal agencies are required by law to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees with disabilities. Learn more here: https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants

To understand statutory whistleblower protections and accompanying resources, click here: https://whistleblower.house.gov/resources/resources-whistleblowers

To understand prohibited personnel practices including the right to appeal, visit here:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/employee-relations/employee-rights-appeals/

And for a basic primer on civil service law, click here: https://guides.loc.gov/federal-civil-service-employment-law

For information on the OPM Deferred Resignation Program, please learn more here: https://www.afge.org/globalassets/documents/generalreports/2025/facts-opm-deferred-program-flyer_feb5.pdf

Resources for Immigrants

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes:

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

If you are an immigrant in need of legal services, please visit: https://www.valegalaid.org/issues/immigration

For a list of resources provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services, please visit here: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/community/ona/immigrant_services/websites_and_resources.cgi

Resources for LGBTQ+ Virginians

For a list of resources in Northern Virginia, please visit: https://safespacenova.org/resources/

For a comprehensive list of Virginia resources, please visit the Virginia LGBTQ Advisory Board resources page here: https://www.lgbtq.virginia.gov/resources/

Additional Resources for All Virginians

The Capital Area Food Bank is providing free food to federal workers and contractors, and is committed to at least doubling the amount of food at each location because demand has far outstripped initial estimates. Learn more here: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/dmv-help/

For assistance with electric bills from Dominion Energy, please call 1-866-DOM-HELP. Their consultants can assist with:

Reviewing with the customer flexible payment plans, budget bill program and bill payment assistance options.
- If the customer is interested in flexible payment plans or our budget bill program, the agent will handle the enrollment.
- If the customer is interested in bill payment assistant options, the agent will refer them to 2-1-1 who will provide the customer with the local VDSS agency for bill payment assistance.
- If the account has a disconnect for non-payment notice, the agent will suspend the disconnection for 30 days and will advise the customer to call back if additional time is needed.

Virginias credit unions serving our region are providing a wide range of relief options designed to help affected individuals and families maintain financial stability, including:

Emergency and furlough loans — often at 0% or low interest — to bridge the gap in missed paychecks.
Skip-a-Pay and loan deferral programs to ease short-term financial pressure.
Waived fees and penalty-free certificate withdrawals to give members access to their funds without added costs.
Free financial counseling to help families budget and plan during this period of uncertainty.

A running list of credit union assistance programs is available on The Virginia Credit Union League’s website and updated weekly.

Fairfax County Public Schools has free and reduced price meals for students of families impacted by the shutdown. Learn more and apply here: https://www.fcps.edu/frm Furloughed federal employees can also sign up to become substitute teachers to help supplement their income during this difficult time.