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Day 28 of the Government Shutdown

  • Writer: Mason West
    Mason West
  • Oct 28
  • 3 min read

What Working Families Lose and How to Get Help


The federal government has now been shut down for 28 consecutive days — nearly an entire month of stalled operations. For thousands of working Americans — especially federal employees, essential personnel, contractors, and families relying on support programs — the consequences are mounting. This blog explains: who isn’t getting paid, which benefits are at risk, what’s being done, and where you can turn for help.


Government shutdown is affecting working people

1. Who’s Not Getting Paid

According to Fox News, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are either working without pay or furloughed due to the Government Shutdown.

  • Essential employees such as air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and military personnel are still reporting to work but won’t see a paycheck until the shutdown ends.

  • Non-essential workers have been furloughed — sent home with no pay — affecting agencies like the IRS, EPA, and national parks.

  • Federal contractors face the greatest uncertainty because most are not legally guaranteed back pay once funding resumes (Federal News Network).


2. Which Benefits Are Being Affected

The shutdown’s ripple effects are spreading to everyday programs that working families depend on:

  • Food Assistance: The USDA warns that SNAP (food stamps) could be suspended in November if Congress doesn’t pass a funding bill (Fox News).

  • Housing & Rental Programs: Federal Housing Administration loan processing has slowed, delaying closings and leaving renters and landlords in limbo (NCSL).

  • Healthcare Services: Some federal health programs remain funded through mandatory spending, but smaller community health grants and research initiatives have paused.

  • Education & Training Programs: Federal grants for workforce development and Pell Grant processing may be delayed, disrupting schooling for low-income students.


3. What’s Being Done

Lawmakers from both parties continue to negotiate funding bills, but as of this week, no agreement has been reached. Proposals such as the Shutdown Fairness Act, which would guarantee pay for essential employees, have stalled in the Senate (Fox News).

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act ensures federal employees receive back pay once the shutdown ends, but contract workers are not covered under this law. Meanwhile, some states are stepping up to bridge the gap — Tennessee and others have allocated emergency funds to keep vital public services operating temporarily (Brookings).


4. Resources and Support for Affected Families

If you’ve lost pay or benefits during the shutdown, several programs and organizations can help:

  • FEEA (Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund): Offers emergency hardship loans and shutdown grants to eligible workers.

  • Credit Unions: Navy Federal and PenFed Credit Union are providing no-interest bridge loans to furloughed employees (Fox 5 DC).

  • NELP Resource Guide: Details how furloughed federal workers and contractors can file for unemployment insurance during a shutdown (NELP.org).

  • Local Food Banks: Organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland are supporting families facing food insecurity.

  • Community Faith Networks: Many Tennessee churches are offering grocery drives, counseling, and financial aid for struggling families.


5. Why It Matters for Tennessee’s Working Families

The shutdown affects more than Washington — it’s hitting Tennesseans hard. Federal workers in Oak Ridge, Nashville, and Memphis are going without paychecks, while families in smaller towns are feeling the ripple effects of halted benefits and fewer community resources. Working people already stretched thin by high living costs now face added uncertainty — proving again why strong local support networks matter.


Conclusion

Day 28 of the shutdown is more than just a political standoff — it’s a test of resilience for working families nationwide. If you’re affected, know that help is available and your situation matters For the Working People will continue tracking updates, gathering trusted resources, and sharing guidance for Tennesseans navigating this difficult time.


👉 Visit ForTheWorkingPeople.com for a list of verified programs, community links, and ways to stay informed.



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