A government shutdown can be scary and affects people differently. This guide has been built to help you navigate information and resources to help address your questions and concerns during this time period.
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Government Shutdown 101
- Affected Federal Programs & Continuing Resolutions (CR)
- Financial Resources
- Additional Resources
- State Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Helpful Websites & Resources
Disclaimer: The resources in this guide are for informational purposes only. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. Other than for authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreational sites, the United States Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.
Government Shutdown 101
What is a government shutdown?
Many federal government agencies and programs rely on annual funding appropriations passed by Congress. Every year, Congress must pass, and the President must sign budget legislation for the next fiscal year, which consists of 12 appropriations bills, one for each Appropriations subcommittee.
Congress has not yet enacted these 12 bills for FY 2024 that make up the discretionary spending budget. If this process does not happen by the deadline of September 30th, then the government will “shutdown”.
In a “shutdown”, federal agencies must discontinue all non-essential discretionary functions, until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law. Essential services continue to function, as do mandatory spending programs.
What services are affected?
Each federal agency develops its own shutdown plan, following guidance released in previous shutdowns and coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The plan identifies which government activities may not continue until appropriations are restored, requiring furloughs and the halting of many agency activities. Essential services – many of which are related to public safety – continue to operate, with payments covering any obligations incurred only when appropriations are enacted.
In prior shutdowns, border protection, in-hospital medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, and power grid maintenance have been among the services classified as essential, while some legislative and judicial staff have also been largely protected. Mandatory spending not subject to annual appropriations, such as for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, also continues.
Other examples of activities that continue are those funded by permanent user fees that are not subject to appropriations, such as immigration services funded by visa fees. Certain programs that are funded through advance appropriations, such as those within the Veterans Health Administration, have been minimally affected during recent shutdowns.
What federal services will be affected?
Although many programs are exempt, the public is still likely to feel the impact of a shutdown in several ways. For example, in a full shutdown:
- Social Security and Medicare: Checks are sent out but benefit verification as well as card issuance would cease.
- Environmental and Food Inspection: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may halt site inspections for 1,200 different sites that included hazardous waste, drinking water, and chemical facilities, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may delay inspections.
- National Parks: The National Park Service (NPS) may close down more than 400 parks, national monuments, and other sites. Many parks remained open during previous shutdowns, though no visitor services were provided, and damage and trash build-up were reported at many sites.
- Air Travel: Air travel may be strained, as a result of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents working without pay or being furloughed. Travelers will face longer lines at TSA security checkpoints and the possibility of delays at several major airports due to reduce staff.
- Health and Human Services: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would be prevented from admitting new patients or processing grant applications. Some states were forced to front the money for formula grant programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, sometimes described as “cash welfare”).
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): As a result of funds provided in the Inflation Reduction Act, normal IRS operations would continue and all employees would be exempt from furlough.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Though funding for the SNAP program is mandatory, the ability to send out “food stamp” benefits could be affected by a shutdown, since continuing resolutions have generally only authorized the Agriculture Department (USDA) to send out benefits for 30 days after a shutdown begins. In addition, during any shutdown, stores are not able to renew their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card licenses, so those whose licenses expire would not be able to accept SNAP benefits during a shutdown.
This is not an all-inclusive list – please reach out to programs that you currently get support from to see if they will be impacted from a government shutdown.
What is a Continuing Resolution (CR)?
A continuing resolution temporarily funds the government in the absence of full appropriations bills, often by continuing funding levels from the prior year.
Traditionally, CRs have been used to give lawmakers a short period of time to complete their work on remaining appropriations bills while keeping the government open. CRs sometimes apply to only certain appropriations, but they can also be used to fund all discretionary functions for as long as the entire year.
When a CR is passed, it allows some or all of the government to reopen for a time period, which gives congress more time to pass a full operating budget.
To learn more: https://www.crfb.org/papers/government-shutdowns-qa-everything-you-should-know
Financial Resources
Missing a paycheck can be a financial disaster for some. During a government shutdown, your pay may be delayed for one or more pay periods. Listed below are resources and information that may help you during this time of uncertainty.
Interest Free Payday Loans: Some financial institutions will offer a zero- interest loan that covers part or all of your normal direct deposit. Check with your financial institution to see if they offer any type of relief if you are impacted by the government shutdown.
USAA: USAA members can apply for a no-interest loan equivalent to one missed paycheck (up to $6,000) if they are employed by an impacted federal agency. More information on USAA loan eligibility and financial assistance is available at https://www.usaa.com/inet/wc/ent-gov-shutdown-assistance-landing-mkt? vurl=vurl_relief&akredirect=true
Navy Federal Credit Union: You can register on the Navy Federal mobile app or at navyfederal.org, or call us at 1-888-842-6328
EANGUS We Care for America Foundation is a National Guard Relief Foundation that offers grants and loans for Service members (enlisted and officer). More information can be found at https://eangus-wcfa.org/
PenFed members may qualify for an interest-free loan in the amount of their net pay (up to $6,000) through its government furlough Direct Deposit Assistance program. PenFed also offers an emergency relief loan at the lowest available rate for a personal loan product.
Thrift Savings Plan will continue its normal daily operations and the ThriftLine will remain open. The TSP will post additional information on www.tsp.gov/shutdown, if a lapse in appropriations occurs.
Military OneSource, Personal Financial Counselors and Military Family Life Counselor services will continue to provide career, financial and non-medical counseling as these services are paid by already funded contracts. Visit https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
Air Force Aid Guard and Reserve Air Force and Space Force members (regardless of duty status) and their eligible family members. To learn more about grants and falcon loans, visit: https://afas.org/
VFW Unmet Needs Program is available to help America’s active-duty service members (to include activated Guard/Reserve members) and their families who have run into unexpected financial difficulties because of deployment or other military-related activity or injury. The program provides financial assistance up to $2,500 to assist daily necessities in the form of a grant – not a loan – so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, we pay the creditor(s) directly. Visit: https://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants
Additional Resources
Military & Family Readiness Offices: It is unknown at this time if our offices will be open during a government shutdown. Please reach out to your National Guard Military and Family Readiness Staff prior to an official shut down to request support or additional community resources that may be available.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP is for Air Force civilian personnel. They offer free, confidential services to help you and your household members manage everyday challenges and work on more complex issues. Call 1-866-580-9078 or visit https://www.afpc.af.mil/Airman-and-Family/Personal-and-Work-Life/ for more details.
Unemployment Benefits: You may be able to file for unemployment benefits during a government shutdown – but know that you will most likely have to repay any benefits received if you get your paycheck from the federal government. Unemployment is a state benefit, but you can find out more information at: https://www.usa.gov/unemployment-benefits
Food Insecurities: When money gets tight, you make face some food insecurity. For some it may be not having the funds to purchase food, and for others it may be the decision about what type of food they can afford to purchase. To find local food banks, visit: https://www.feedingamerica.org/need-help-find-food
Loan Payments/Mortgages: If you are not receiving a paycheck or won’t receive one until the end of the government shut down, you can call your creditors and request a deferment. This is basically a postponement of a payment, which would be added to the end of a loan. There is no requirement for creditors to honor your request, but it never hurts to ask!
Credit Card Payments: Fortunately, some credit card issuers have waived late fees for those impacted by the shutdown. Check with your issuer and explain that you’re experiencing the financial fallout from the government shutdown.
If your credit card company isn’t offering relief and you’re less than 30 days late, your next move is to ask the issuer to (please) remove the late fee from your statement. Don’t put off asking for help, because once you’re more than 30 days late, the issuer can report your tardiness to the credit bureaus.
You can also call your credit card company and ask to speak with the hardship department. Explain your situation and ask if you can get help. You might get a lower minimum monthly payment or be given more time to make your next payment.
State Resources
211 – Dial 211 to get connected with local resources like Red Cross, United Way, Heat for Heroes.
County Veterans Service Offices – contact your local CVSO to see if they have additional resources available to offset the hardships caused by the shutdown.
Wisconsin National Guard Grant Grants
C.A.R.E.S.
VFW – local Posts – Possibly
VFW National Organization – Unmet Needs as well if they are members or join the VFW – application at https://vfwwi.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=5646
American Legion local Posts may be able to provide some assistance
- American Red Cross – Red Cross Southwest WI – 1-877-618-6628
- Many churches provide small amounts in financial assistance to individuals in need
- Military One Source – 1-800-342-9647
Government Assistance and Cash – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services helps the low income meet their basic needs. Get help with paying energy costs, medical bills, free food, medications, gas for work, clothes, and other living expenses. A wide variety of government and public resources are administered. Learn more on public assistance in Wisconsin.
FoodShare Wisconsin – SNAP Food Stamps – FoodShare was created to improve the nutrition and health of Wisconsin residents. It is the state’s version of food stamps and is focused on low-income families, single parents, the elderly and others to help stop hunger. The government FoodShare program will help families with limited incomes buy the groceries they need for good health. Call 608-266-1865.
Food banks like Second Harvest, River Food Pantry, etc…
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are “excepted” employees?
In the context of shutdown furloughs, the term “excepted” is used broadly to refer to employees whose work is funded through annual appropriations but who are not furloughed because they are performing tasks that, by law, are allowed to continue during a lapse in appropriations.
Those tasks are referred to as “excepted work.” Such tasks may include emergency work involving the safety of human life or the protection of property or the performance of certain other types of “excepted work activities” as defined in DOJ and OMB guidance.
Who are “exempt” employees?
Employees are “exempt” from furlough if they are not affected by a lapse in appropriations. This includes employees whose functions are not funded by annually appropriated funds. Employees performing those functions will generally continue to be governed by the normal pay, leave, and other civil service rules.
What about employees or do not fall in the “excepted” or “exempt” category?
Employees whose work is funded through annual appropriations but is not designated as excepted work are barred from working during a shutdown, other than to perform minimal activities as necessary to execute an orderly suspension of agency operations related to non-excepted activities. These employees will be furloughed.
How do I determine if I am an “excepted” or “exempt” employee?
Each agency will determine the method and timing of notifying employees of whether their work has been determined to be excepted.
Can I volunteer to do my job during the government shutdown?
No. According to 31 U.S.C. 1342, Unless otherwise authorized by law, an agency may not accept the voluntary services of an employee.
May employees take on different jobs while on furlough?
While on furlough, an individual remains an employee of the Federal Government. Therefore, executive branch-wide standards of ethical conduct and rules regarding outside employment continue to apply when an individual is furloughed. Check with your local agency to inquire if you may take on a different job during this time period.
I was furloughed, will I get paid?
In the past, backpay for furloughed employees was not guaranteed, though Congress could and did act to ensure those workers were compensated for lost wages once a shutdown ended. Now, however, backpay for furloughed works is automatically guaranteed as a result of legislation that was enacted in 2019. Employees deemed “essential” and required to work were already guaranteed backpay after a shutdown prior to the passage of that legislation.