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City of Jacksonville stepping up to help furloughed workers

As the president and lawmakers remain at an impasse in D.C., furloughed workers can only wish their bills would stand still, as well.

But for many, the debt keeps mounting.

“I'm juggling. I'm robbing Peter to pay Paul. I'm hoping that all this will get done and we can get back to normal,” said Transportation Security Administration worker Dwayne Ellis.

With no end in sight, cities like Jacksonville are stepping in.

The mayor’s office sent out an email detailing all the options available to local families affected by the shutdown.

The city's Social Services Division has more than half-million dollars in the form of small grants to help local families who are impacted.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: 

At least four Jacksonville families have already received some of that grant money.

In order to qualify for the assistance, workers will need to demonstrate a need and document their furlough.

Other assistance includes bill management programs through JEA and interest free loans for active-duty U.S. Coast Guard members.

Local nonprofits like the United Way and the USO are also stepping up.

The United Way can help refer you to agencies that help with rent and mortgage payments.

And the USO is working to get donations over to Coast Guard families who aren’t getting a paycheck.

For many, it’s the generosity of strangers that is giving them hope.

"This means a lot because not a lot of people are thinking how hard it’s affecting us till they don't know how long it's going to be,” said TSA worker Hannah Morrison.