Who gets paid and who doesn’t during a government shutdown?

Congress is once again playing a high-stakes game of “Will they, won’t they?” with the government’s funding, and the clock is ticking. If lawmakers don’t pull off a last-minute miracle and pass a funding before March 14, the government shutdown will come faster than you think. So, what does that mean? Well, if you’re wondering, “Will I get paid during a government shutdown,” or “When the government shuts down, do they get back pay?” or “Who gets paid during a government shutdown?”, you’ve come to the right place.

It’s going to be a tough week for law enforcement, federal workers, and everyone else. While federal workers will be looking at their bank accounts in disappointment, it doesn’t get better for the rest of the nation either. People across the nation will face longer lines, delayed services, and chaos of a government running on fumes.

With shutdown a week away, the question of pay and benefits looms large

When the government shuts down, the question on everyone’s mind, be it a federal employee or a private-sector worker is, simple. Will I get paid during a shutdown?

It’s a fair question, and one that all employers must be ready to answer with clarity. Government shutdowns, like the one looming in 2025, expose more than a tangled mess of policies, expectations and economic ripple effects. So, let’s break it down: who gets paid during a government shutdown, who doesn’t get paid, and do employees get back pay after a shutdown?

Bills don’t wait: Federal employees brace for shutdown pay delays.

Our guide for Government Shutdown in 2025 is your roadmap through the paycheck panic.

What is a government shutdown?

A government shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass funding bills. The ‘why do shutdowns happen’ question often boils down to political gridlock. It could be in the form of budget disputes or partisan standoffs. But for federal workers, the real concern isn’t the ‘why’ but the ‘what’.

What happens in a government shutdown? For federal employees, the answer depends on your status. Are you an essential worker or a non-essential worker. For private-sector contractors, it’s an even precarious proposition.

Who gets paid during a government shutdown?

Unfortunately, not all federal workers are treated equally when the government shutters. During a shutdown some only few operations are deemed critical to continue. This created a divide between “essential” and “non-essential” employees, with further paycheck implications.

Will I get paid in shutdown? Essential federal employees work without pay

Essential government workers, those who are required to keep vital services running, will not get a break during the upcoming shutdown. But does the government shutdown stop pay for essential workers? Yes, and only temporarily. These workers, from air traffic controllers to Border Patrol agents, will have to clock in without seeing a paycheck until the government shutdown ends.

Where is the silver lining in this?

Once the funding is restored, all essential workers will received back pay for every missed paycheck. It serves as a lifeline, but it doesn’t ease the immediate government shutdown paycheck impact on employees.

Federal employee shutdown pay, non-essential workers furloughed but covered

Non-essential employees, many of whom are desk-bound bureaucrats or park rangers at non-critical sites, are being furloughed. This means they will be sent home without work or pay. The federal shutdown worker pay question here mirrors their essential counterparts. There will be no pay during the government shutdown, however back pay will be provided thanks to the 2019 Act.

Do postal workers get paid if the government shuts down? Yes, they do

Yes, postal workers will be successfully able to dodge the shutdown bullet. The U.S. Postal Service operates on its own revenue, and not congressional appropriations. So, do postal workers get paid during the government shutdown? Yes. Their paychecks will continue to come uninterrupted.

Do military get paid during a government shutdown? Back pay awaits

The military’s status is much trickier. Active-duty personnel, such as the Navy, Army and Air Force will continue working. But do military get paid if the government shuts down? Not immediately. Like other essential workers, they’re paid retroactively once the government funding resumes.

What about the navy federal? Navy federal has a history of offering support during government shutdowns. It offers a paycheck assistance program to help military service members, federal government employees, and eligible federal contractors whose pay is directly impacted by a shutdown. This program provided a 0% APR loan, and is based on the member’s normal direct deposit. Technically, Navy Federal doesn’t pay, they provide financial assistance to help members during a government shutdown.

Federal shutdown worker pay, law enforcement and TSA keep going

Federal law enforcement officers, such as FBI, DEA and TSA screeners are essential workers. They’ll need to work through the government shutdown, however their paycheck will be delayed. The 2019 Act ensures back pay for all federal law enforcement officers during a government shutdown.

Government shutdown pay guide for social security and medicare, workers stay funded

Most Social Security Administration (SSA) and Medicare workers are funded by mandatory appropriations. This means the benefits will keep flowing for SSA and Medicare workers, and so do their paychecks.

As for non-essential SSA workers, there is a possibility of getting furloughed, but they will get back pay too. This split offers a rare “non” to does government shutdown stop pay for some.

Do VA employees get paid during a shutdown? Yes, later

Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital staff, such as doctors and nurses, are essential workers. They work without immediate pay; however, the 2019 Act covers them later. Administrative VA staff, such as benefits processors, might be furloughed if non-essential.

Do congressional staff get paid during a government shutdown?

Congressional staff is split into essential (e.g. legislative aides during budget talks) and non-essential (e.g. constituent services). Essential staff will continue to work unpaid, while non-essential will be furloughed – both will get back pay later. While Congress members’ pay is constitutionally protected, their teams now face the same government shutdown paycheck impact as other feds.

Who doesn’t get paid during a government shutdown?

Federal employees have a safety net to fall on. Others aren’t so lucky. The ‘who is not paid during a shutdown’ list spans a few key groups.

Private-sector contractors left out

Private-sector workers tied to government contracts, such as janitors at federal buildings or tech support for agencies, now face the harshest reality. Unlike federal workers, they will not be guaranteed back pay. If their employer’s contract lacks shutdown contingencies, their pay stops cold.

The shutdown impact on economy ripples here, as some of these workers, are often lower-wage earners.

Who is not paid during a government shutdown? National parks and museum workers wait

National Park Service rangers and Smithsonian staff are deemed as non-essentials, so they will be furloughed. Who is not paid during the shutdown? These workers will work unpaid, however all essential rangers will get back pay later.

Government shutdown paycheck impact on federal judiciary workers

Federal courts run on filing fees and reserves for a few weeks. This means judges and essential workers will get paid until the well runs dry. After that, who gets paid during shutdown turns into ‘nobody’. No back-pay law applies here, although Congress usually pays retroactively.

Managing paycheck expectations during shutdown in 2025

Whether you’re in a federal agency or a contractor’s office, here are a few facts you need to clarify with your workers. You must tell employees clarify if they’re essential or non-essential workers. For contractors facing uncertainty, it’s best to not sugarcoat it.

You need to highlight the 2019 Act. It’s your responsibility to reassure federal workers that government shutdown paycheck delays aren’t losses, and for many, back pay is coming.

You can point employees to financial aid options, such as emergency funds, especially for government contractors who don’t get paid during a government shutdown.

The best thing you can do during a government shutdown is offer weekly updates on their pay status. Even if it is ‘no news’, it’s something you need to do to keep the trust alive.

Have questions about your shutdown status? Drop them below and The HR Digest will dig into the details for you.

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