Advice, help available for those facing furloughs Published May 31, 2013 By Mike W. Ray Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- With furloughs looming for several thousand Tinker civilian employees, base officials reiterated this week that a variety of services and programs are available to help Airmen and their families cope with thinner paychecks. Furlough days -- two per pay period, starting no earlier than July 8 -- will be spread out over the last three months of the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Of course, a prudent first step in preparation would be to set aside a portion of your wages and to reduce your expenses wherever possible, particularly discretionary spending. The Employee Assistance Program provides a variety of services that are available to civilians, including financial, emotional, relationships, family, alcohol, job concern and legal advice, said Stephanie Lewis, Federal Occupational Health EAP Field Consultant. The EAP is staffed around-the-clock and can be contacted toll-free at 800-222-0364, or at www.FOH4you.com. Although financial management counseling at the Airman and Family Readiness Center is not available for civilians, "we can help them with basic budgeting in a group setting if requested by their commander," A&FRC Director Rickie Smith said. Civilians who need financial management counseling are referred to off-base resources. The A&FRC supplied the following list of financial resources available on base and in the local community: Air Force Sustainment Center Potential Impacts of Sequestration website (click on Tinker AFB Civilian Support Services link on right side of page): www.afsc.af.mil , 739-7624 Air Force Aid Society (for military retired civilian employees): www.cccsok.org Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund: www.feea.org, 734-6687, 734-6691 Consumer Credit Counseling of Oklahoma: 789-2227, www.cccsok.org Tinker Federal Credit Union: (800) 456-4828, www.tinkerFCU.org FNB Community Bank: 732-4571, www.fnbmwc.com Oklahoma Regional Food Bank: 972-1111, www.regionalfoodbank.org Community Action Agency of OKC: 232-0199, http://caaofokc.org/communityactionagency American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma: 228-9500, www.redcross.org/ok/oklahoma-city The State of Oklahoma has a free service called "Oklahoma 211-Get Connected-Get Answers" that is available to anyone in need. By dialing 2-1-1 on any landline or cell phone, a caller will be connected to a certified specialist at a local call center. The specialist will assess a caller's needs and determine what service provider in the area is best equipped to assist. The 2-1-1 line also assists with financial, health, medical, food, shelter, utilities, gambling, suicide prevention and other issues. For more information, visit http://www.211oklahoma.org/.