Thank you for your support
The federal government shutdown ended after the U.S. House of Representatives voted on November 12 to pass the spending bill. President Trump signed the bill shortly after, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history at 43 days. The bill funds most government agencies through the end of January and provides funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September 2026.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the United Way 211 Emergency Relief Fund. Your generosity provided critical support to federal employees who were furloughed or working without pay during the shutdown, and Utahns who rely on federal work supports. Together, we stepped up to help our neighbors when they needed it most.
We distributed relief funds to local organizations supporting families affected by the funding lapse including Salt Lake City International Airport employees, Utah Community Action, and the Catholic Community Services Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank.
Additionally, we provided essential resources and support through the 211 Navigation Center which saw a huge spike in Utahns requesting help throughout the shutdown.
While this emergency has ended, United Ways in Utah remain ready to jump back into action to support Utahns in need in the event of a future government shutdown or other emergency.
United Way 211 Emergency Relief Fund
United Way of Salt Lake, United Way of Northern Utah, and United Way of Central & Southern Utah partnered to provide emergency relief during the federal government shutdown. The historic shutdown was the longest in U.S. history at 43 days, and thousands of Utahns were impacted.
There are an estimated 40,000 federal employees living in Utah who were furloughed or working without pay. Additionally, the federal funding lapse delayed payments for programs like SNAP, leaving upwards of 86,000 households without benefits. The emergency relief fund helped ensure the basic needs of Utahns were still met during the shutdown.
Your donations were used to bolster local organizations that supported families affected by the funding lapse and helped provide essential resources and support through the 211 Navigation Center.
Corporate Partners Extended Grace to Utahns
In addition to corporate philanthropy, we called on Utah’s business community to extend grace to their monthly customers facing elevated hardship during the federal shutdown. From extending payment deadlines to waiving penalties and fees, every degree of flexibility and forgiveness helped impacted families make ends meet.
We are proud to partner with the following companies who stepped up in these ways.
Get Connected to Resources
Through 211 Utah
Although the federal government shutdown has ended, 211 Utah can still connect you to the help you need. Call 211 or visit 211utah.org to get connected to 10,000+ services and resources.
