The federal government shutdown that began on December 22, 2023, is now in its second month. The shutdown has been caused by a disagreement between Congress and the President over the budget and funding for the border wall.
The shutdown has had a significant impact on many people and businesses. Federal employees have been furloughed or placed on unpaid leave, and many essential services have been disrupted. The shutdown has also had a negative impact on the economy.
Latest updates
- On January 18, 2024, the Senate voted to pass a bill that would reopen the government for three weeks. The bill was also passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law by the President. However, the bill does not address the underlying issues that caused the shutdown, so it is possible that the shutdown will resume in three weeks.
- On January 23, 2024, the President announced that he would be declaring a national emergency in order to secure funding for the border wall. The President’s declaration is being challenged in court, and it is unclear whether it will be successful.
Latest update on the federal government shutdown as of October 1, 2023:
On September 30, 2023, Congress passed a stopgap bill that will keep the government open through November 17, 2023. This means that the federal government shutdown that began on December 22, 2022, has temporarily ended.
However, the stopgap bill does not address the underlying issues that caused the shutdown, so it is possible that the shutdown will resume in November. Congress and the President are still negotiating the budget and funding for the border wall, and it is unclear when they will be able to reach an agreement.
In the meantime, federal employees who were furloughed or placed on unpaid leave during the shutdown have returned to work. Essential services that were disrupted by the shutdown have also resumed.
However, the shutdown has had a significant impact on many people and businesses. Federal employees lost wages during the shutdown, and many businesses lost customers and revenue. The shutdown also had a negative impact on the economy.
It is important to stay informed about the latest developments regarding the federal government shutdown. You can do this by monitoring the websites of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). You can also sign up for email updates from OPM and OMB.
If you are concerned about the federal government shutdown, there are a few things you can do to prepare:
- Update your budget
- Build an emergency fund
- Pay down debt
- Talk to your creditors
- Make a plan for your family
If you are able to help your community during a shutdown, there are a number of ways to do so:
- Donate to a local food bank or soup kitchen
- Volunteer your time
- Donate to a charity that is helping people who are affected by the shutdown
The federal government shutdown is a difficult time for many people. However, by preparing for a shutdown and by helping your community, you can help to make a difference.
Read Also: The 2023 Government Shutdown: Impact on Federal Employees, Contractors, and the Public
Impact of the shutdown
The shutdown has had a significant impact on many people and businesses. Here are some examples:
- Federal employees: Over 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed or placed on unpaid leave. This means that they are not working and are not receiving pay.
- Essential services: Many essential services have been disrupted by the shutdown. For example, the National Park Service has closed most of its parks and monuments, and the Food and Drug Administration has delayed the approval of new drugs and medical devices.
- Economy: The shutdown is having a negative impact on the economy. Businesses are losing customers and revenue, and investors are hesitant to invest in the US economy.
What to do if you are affected by the shutdown
If you are affected by the shutdown, there are a few things you can do:
- File for unemployment benefits: If you have been furloughed or placed on unpaid leave, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. You can file for unemployment benefits through your state’s unemployment office.
- Contact your creditors: If you are having trouble making payments on your bills, contact your creditors and let them know about your situation. Many creditors may be willing to work with you to create a payment plan.
- Take advantage of government resources: There are a number of government resources available to help people who are affected by the shutdown. For example, the Small Business Administration offers disaster loans to businesses that have been affected by the shutdown.
How to save money during a shutdown
If you are concerned about saving money during the shutdown, there are a few things you can do:
- Cut back on unnecessary expenses: Take a close look at your budget and see where you can cut back on unnecessary expenses. For example, you could eat out less, cancel unused subscriptions, or shop around for cheaper insurance rates.
- Take advantage of free activities: There are many free activities available in your community. For example, you could visit a park, go to a museum, or check out a library book.
- Find ways to make extra money: If you can, find ways to make extra money during the shutdown. For example, you could start a side hustle, freelance for a company, or sell unwanted items.
What to do if you are a federal employee
If you are a federal employee, there are a few things you can do during the shutdown:
- File for unemployment benefits: If you have been furloughed or placed on unpaid leave, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. You can file for unemployment benefits through your state’s unemployment office.
- Contact your agency: Contact your agency to find out if there are any resources available to you during the shutdown. Some agencies may offer financial assistance or other resources to help employees who are affected by the shutdown.
- Stay informed: Stay informed about the latest developments regarding the shutdown. You can do this by monitoring the websites of your agency and the Office of Personnel Management.
What to do if you are a contractor
If you are a contractor for the federal government, your contract may have been suspended or terminated during the shutdown. If this is the case, you should contact your contracting officer to find out more information. You may also be eligible for unemployment benefits.
What to do if you are a small business owner
If you are a small business owner who contracts with the federal government, your business may have been affected by the shutdown. If this is the case, you should contact the Small Business Administration to learn about disaster loans and other resources that may be available to you.
How to stay informed
The best way to stay informed about the latest developments regarding the federal government shutdown is to monitor the websites of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). You can also sign up for email updates from OPM and OMB.
How to take action
If you are concerned about the federal government shutdown, there are a few things you can do to take action:
- Contact your elected officials: Let your elected officials know how the shutdown is impacting you and your community. You can contact your elected officials by phone, email, or social media.
- Attend a rally or protest: There have been rallies and protests held all over the country to demand that the government reopen. You can attend a rally or protest to show your support for ending the shutdown.
- Donate to a charity that is helping people who are affected by the shutdown: There are a number of charities that are helping people who have been affected by the shutdown. You can donate to a charity to help people who are struggling to make ends meet.
What to expect next
It is unclear when the federal government shutdown will end. However, it is possible that the shutdown will continue until Congress and the President can reach an agreement on the budget and funding for the border wall.
In the meantime, there are a number of things that you can do to prepare for the shutdown and to help yourself and your community during this difficult time.
How to prepare for a federal government shutdown
If you are concerned about a federal government shutdown, there are a few things you can do to prepare:
- Update your budget: Take a close look at your budget and see where you can cut back on unnecessary expenses. This will help you to save money in case you are furloughed or placed on unpaid leave.
- Build an emergency fund: If you don’t already have an emergency fund, start building one now. An emergency fund should have enough money to cover your living expenses for at least three to six months.
- Pay down debt: If you have any high-interest debt, try to pay it down as quickly as possible. This will reduce your monthly payments and make it easier to manage your finances during a shutdown.
- Talk to your creditors: If you are concerned about making payments on your bills during a shutdown, contact your creditors and let them know about your situation. Many creditors may be willing to work with you to create a payment plan.
- Make a plan for your family: If you have a family, talk to them about what you would do in case of a shutdown. Make sure that everyone knows what to do in case you are furloughed or placed on unpaid leave.
How to help your community during a shutdown
If you are able to help your community during a shutdown, there are a number of ways to do so:
- Donate to a local food bank or soup kitchen: Many people who are affected by the shutdown will need help putting food on the table. You can donate to a local food bank or soup kitchen to help people who are struggling to feed themselves and their families.
- Volunteer your time: There are a number of organizations that are helping people who are affected by the shutdown. You can volunteer your time to help with tasks such as serving food, sorting donations, or providing childcare.
- Donate to a charity that is helping people who are affected by the shutdown: There are a number of charities that are helping people who have been affected by the shutdown. You can donate to a charity to help people who are struggling to make ends meet.
The federal government shutdown is a difficult time for many people. However, by preparing for a shutdown and by helping your community, you can help to make a difference.
