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These PNW spots are offering freebies, discounts to government employees impacted by the shutdown

SEATTLE — Many businesses and organizations around the Pacifc Northwest are stepping up to help federal workers who are impacted by the ongoing government shutdown.

KIRO 7 has compiled a list of freebies and discounts being offered for federal employees:

On Jan. 24, Gov. Inslee announced that the Washington State Employment Security Department is expanding unemployment benefits to federal workers who are working full-time during the government shutdown without pay.

Previously, only federal workers who were furloughed and not working were eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits.

"There are nearly 16,000 Washingtonians who are about to lose a second paycheck because of this record-long federal shutdown.. Washington state will not stand by while our public servants work day after day while struggling to make ends meet. We have got to prioritize people over politics and end this shutdown," Gov. Inslee said in a news reelase.

On Jan. 22, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued a new Executive Order to allow federal empolyees impacted by the government shutdown to defer their city of Seattle Utility payments.

"Every day that the crisis of the government shutdown continues, public servants in Seattle are forced to live without knowing if they can provide for their families – and Seattle is put at risk by the lack of federal services that we rely on, from earthquake monitoring to the Coast Guard to affordable housing support,” Mayor Durkan said in a news release.

Crystal Mountain Resort 

Crystal Mountain is offering free lift tickets to furloughed federal employees due to the partial government shutdown.

"We realize that many federal employees are caught in the middle of the battle that’s going on in D.C. and we’d like to invite them up to the mountains for a day of skiing or snowboarding on us as a show of gratitude for their service,” Frank DeBerry, president and COO of Crystal Mountain, said.

The offer began Thursday, Jan. 17 and offers impacted employees a free weekday lift or gondola ride ticket.

Seattle Humane is offering resources from its Pet Food Bank to federal government employees impacted by the government shutdown, the nonprofit organization announced Tuesday.

“Seattle Humane's Pet Food Bank provides pet food assistance to low-income pet owners and families experiencing hardship,” Seattle Humane said in a news release.

Click here for a list of locations.

Furloughed federal employees are eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets for the remainder of the 2018-2019 Seattle Symphony season.

“Federal employees devote their careers serving the greater nation,” Krishna Thiagarajan, President & CEO of the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall, said. “At a time when they are being asked to make sacrifices, we hope our small gesture can help alleviate some of the burdens they and their loved ones are experiencing.”

The Pacific Science Center is offering free general admission tickets, until the end of January, for federal employees impacted by the ongoing shutdown.

"Be immersed in #science or warm up in the #ButterflyHouse with us! Just make sure to show your gov't ID in person at either entrance," the Science Center said.

Furloughed federal government workers can receive two free tickets to the company's performances of Il trovatore at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 and 23 and at 2 p.m. on Jan. 23.

“We at Seattle Opera are grateful for all that our federal workers do, and wish to show our solidarity and thanks by inviting them to enjoy a night of beautiful music at McCaw Hall,” General Director Aidan Lang said.

The city of Auburn is suspending late fees and service interruptions for residents furloughed during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

“For the duration of the closure, residents of the city who are federal government workers will have late fees waived on city services including water, storm, sewer and garbage. Service interruptions for non-payment will also be suspended during this time,” a city spokesperson said in a news release.

The city of Arlington is offering utility bill assistance to federal employees impacted by the government shutdown.

For more information call (360) 403-3421 or email finance@arlingtonwa.gov.

Schooner Brewing, located in SoDo, is furloughing the food tabs for federal employees impacted by the shutdown.

Those who qualify can get one meal a day (not including alcohol) and pay it back when the shutdown ends.

Mioposto Pizza 

With each passing day of the government shutdown, Mioposto Pizza is offering a matching percentage off their meal purchase (excluding happy hour)

"Beginning today, the 25th day of the shutdown, federal government employees receive 25% off their meal purchase with a valid federal ID at all Mioposto locations. Day 26 of the shutdown increases to 26% and so forth," the restaurant said on Twitter.

KIRO 7 will continue to update this list with more offers as they become available.