Feds' Advice To Furloughed Workers: Try Bartering For Rent

(CBS News) -- The agency that oversees federal workers has some advice for the 800,000 furloughed workers who are entering a seventh day without pay: Try bartering for your rent payment.

The Office of Personnel Management on Thursday provided sample letters that furloughed workers can send to their landlords in case they can't make their rent payments. One of the letters suggests the cash-strapped workers could barter handyman services in exchange for rent money.

"I would like to discuss with you the possibility of trading my services to perform maintenance (e.g. painting, carpentry work) in exchange for partial rent payments," the letter states. It also asks the landlords if they would consider a partial rent reduction because of the government shutdown.