The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation published a bulletin asking insurers to provide relief to federal workers impacted by the government shutdown.

The shutdown has been ongoing since October 1, and federal employees may be either furloughed or required to work without pay. These workers may be facing financial hardship during this time, at no fault of their own. The Oregon Employment Department estimates there are 30,000 federal workers in Oregon, 10,000 of whom are affected by the shutdown.

The Division asks insurers to give affected residents a grace period of at least 30 days for premium payment, and potentially longer if the shutdown persists. Insurers are also asked to not issue cancellations or non-renewals to those affected. Insurers may waive late fees or extend deadlines to report claims or submit other communications. Lastly, insurers are asked to provide clear and proactive communication with customers and to provide them with all available options and resources.