The Maryland Department of Labor has rolled out the Federal Emergency Loan Program, giving eligible former federal employees a new way to access no-interest emergency loans. Applications can now be submitted through an online portal.

This program was established under the Protect Our Federal Workers Act, which Governor Wes Moore signed into law in April.

Qualified applicants can receive a $700 interest-free loan, which must be repaid within 180 days. If financial difficulties continue, there’s an option to request a 90-day extension.

Former federal employees may qualify for the loan by meeting the following criteria:

• A resident of Maryland
• Terminated from federal employment due to a mass layoff, relocation, or closure of a unit of the federal government, or similar circumstances beyond the the individual’s control
• Termination occurred within the six months before applying for the loan, and on or after January 1, 2025 
• Experiencing financial hardship, which might include difficulty making on-time payments for a mortgage or rent, utilities, healthcare, childcare, a car loan or car insurance, credit cards or loans, or other household expenses.

The loan application is now available at mdol.submittable.com/submit.

For more information, visit the MD Labor website and see the program FAQs.