Union Plus gives hope to AFGE member during 2025 government shutdown
AFGE member, Sarah Lamm, explains how the Union Plus Mortgage Program gave her peace of mind during the November 2025 government shutdown.
Sarah Lamm is a proud federal employee who works in the Social Security Administration. She is also a loyal American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2369 member who gives back by serving on the board.
“I am our Local’s women’s and fair practices coordinator who ensures fairness in the workplace and equal opportunity,” Lamm says.
Professionally, Lamm is a claims specialist who processes filings for new retirees and survivors of retirees. She loves her job.
“I just love helping people,” she says.
When the historic 43-day government shutdown began in the autumn of 2025, Lamm continued working without pay.
“We were looking at quite a financial gap as we were not going to be paid until the shutdown ended,” recalls Lamm. “I’m a single mom. I own my own home. I have one job. I really can’t afford to not get paid.”
As she thought about the implications of a long-haul shutdown, Lamm said she knew one thing was safe: her home. She had intentionally purchased her house through the Union Plus Mortgage Program for times like this, since the program includes access to mortgage assistance.
The Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program provides interest-free loans and grants to eligible union members to help them make their mortgage payments in the event they become disabled, unemployed, locked out, or go on strike.1
“I don’t know what I would have done without this program,” says Lamm. “There was a lot happening, and not having to worry about my house through that process was a gift.”
Both of Lamm’s sons were in the thick of school with sporting events and academics, and this relief gave them a sense of stability and confidence.
“Having access to this sort of program during such a stressful moment in our lives gave me hope that we could make it through,” she says. “I want every union member to know about it. I consider myself a 100% Union Plus advocate.”
Visit unionplus.org/mortgage.
1The Union Plus® Mortgage Assistance Program is provided and administered through the AFL-CIO Mutual Benefit Plan ("The Plan"), which is not affiliated with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Additional information about The Union Plus® Mortgage Assistance Program and eligibility criteria can be obtained at unionplus.org/mortgageassistance.