Missed Meals and Paychecks: A Timeline on the Impact of the Government Shutdown

"First, more than 600,000 federal workers were furloughed, and an even larger number were forced to work without pay. Then, funding lapses began to endanger critical antipoverty programs that tens of millions of Americans rely on, like food stamps and nutritional programs for women and children. And on Wednesday, when the government shutdown became the longest in American history, Trump officials said they would slash air traffic at 40 major airports."

"Trump suggests furloughed employees may not receive back pay once the government reopens. The Trump administration notifies thousands of federal workers that they will be laid off later this year. (A federal judge temporarily blocked the layoffs). The Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo close their doors. Most federal workers receive only a partial paycheck this week. All unpaid federal workers miss their first full paycheck this week."

"A federal judge orders the Agriculture Department to quickly partially or fully fund SNAP. A voucher program providing benefits for 6.7 million women and young children received last-minute additional funding for the month of November. An additional 134 Head Start programs, which serve more than 65,000 children and families, run out of federal funding. Low-income families begin to miss SNAP deposits."

The government shutdown, the longest on record, furloughed more than 600,000 federal workers and forced many others to work without pay. Thousands of federal employees were notified of potential layoffs and many received only partial paychecks while unpaid workers missed a full paycheck. Furloughed health workers were called back for Medicare and ACA open enrollment. Active-duty service members were paid through funding reallocations. Courts ordered the Agriculture Department and the administration to fund SNAP and food stamp benefits. Voucher funding covered 6.7 million women and children for November, while dozens of Head Start programs lost federal funding and low-income families began missing SNAP deposits. Air traffic reductions were announced at major airports.

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