Benefits Guidance During a Government Shutdown

1. Continue to process FEHB transactions during a lapse in appropriations (shutdown furlough); can enroll or make changes in enrollment due to a qualifying life event (QLE).
2. Coverage continues even if premium payments are not made on time and a debt accumulates until there is sufficient pay, then DFAS takes double deductions (pre-taxed) until paid back.

1. Coverage continues up to 12 months in a non-pay status.
2. Retroactive premiums are withheld from retroactive pay; premiums are collected only for pay periods in which you receive pay.

1. If contribution is percentage (%), contribution amount may be less if pay is reduced.
2. If contribution is dollar ($) amount, contribution is the same if pay is sufficient to cover election.
3. TSP loans are still required to be paid.
4. TSP loans can be taken while on continuous furlough for 30 days or less.
5. Investment activity continues.

Should a lapse in appropriations occur, find additional information on the TSP Shutdown web page. For those placed on an administrative furlough, review this TSP Fact Sheet.

1. Coverage continues if there is insufficient pay to cover premiums and a debt will accumulate until there is sufficient pay, then BENEFEDS will take double deductions (pre-taxed) until paid back.
2. If insufficient pay exceeds 3 consecutive pay periods, BENEFEDS mails a direct bill to the employee. Bill must be paid timely to continue coverage.

1. Coverage continues if there is sufficient pay for premiums to be deducted (not pro-rated).
2. Coverage continues if there is insufficient pay without debt for 30 days.

1. Coverage continues, however, if premiums are paid by payroll deductions and the lapse period is less than 3 consecutive pay periods, premiums will be deducted (not pro-rated) when the lapse in pay ends.
2. Coverage continues and after 3 consecutive pay periods, the company bills the employee directly.

1. Coverage continues if there is sufficient pay for premiums to be deducted (not pro-rated).
2. If pay is insufficient to cover allotments:
   1. Incurred health care expenses are not reimbursed until allotments are restarted.
   2. Incurred dependent care expenses are reimbursed up to the balance in the account.
3. Once pay has been restarted, remaining allotments are recalculated over remaining pay periods to match the employee’s annual election amount.

1. Retirement deductions are paid if there is sufficient pay.
2. If pay is insufficient for retirement deductions:
   1. No deductions are made and no debt accumulates.
   2. No effect on Retirement Creditable Service (unless non-pay exceeds 6 months).
   3. No effect on high-3 average pay (unless non-pay exceeds 6 months).

1. Annual and Sick Leave accrues as usual (not pro-rated).
2. If employee accumulates a total of 80 hours of non-pay status from the beginning of the leave year (either in 1 pay period, or over the course of several pay periods), the employee does not earn annual and sick leave in the pay period in which that 80-hour accumulation is reached. If the employee again accumulates 80 hours of non-pay status, the employee again does not earn leave in the pay period in which that new 80-hour total is reached.

WGIs may be delayed by the amount of the non-pay period when the non-pay status [i.e., leave without pay (LWOP)] exceeds: