Government shut down will affect you

[JB2K]

If you read the various news sites, there seems to be a lot of ideas as to what will go on in the event of a government shutdown -- add the power of the internet to that, and you have one heckuva runor mill.

Based on past experience, here's what can be expected:

• The military will most likely get paid on time, as they are considered "essential services"
  
• Ditto for Department of Homeland Security (Airport Screeners)
  
• Same thing for our embassies/consular staff around the world (Department of State). However, here at home, there could be delays in passport processing.
  
• The mail will most likely run, as scheduled, since the U.S. Postal Service comes under seperate funding.

On the other hand, other services such as the National Parks System will most definitely close. Also, for those of you needing "customer service" from agencies such as Social Security and the IRS, you might want to make alternate plans...

 

[herdtoDisney]

[*]The mail will most likely run, as scheduled, since the U.S. Postal Service comes under seperate funding.
...

The mail will absolutely run. I'm postal and work is going on completely normally.

I feel badly for all you federal and military folks You hardworking folks are the backbone of our nation and don't deserve this stress! Shame on both/all political parties

 

[kiddo76]

If you read the various news sites, there seems to be a lot of ideas as to what will go on in the event of a government shutdown -- add the power of the internet to that, and you have one heckuva runor mill.

Based on past experience, here's what can be expected:

• The military will most likely get paid on time, as they are considered "essential services"
  
• Ditto for Department of Homeland Security (Airport Screeners)
  
• Same thing for our embassies/consular staff around the world (Department of State). However, here at home, there could be delays in passport processing.
  
• The mail will most likely run, as scheduled, since the U.S. Postal Service comes under seperate funding.

On the other hand, other services such as the National Parks System will most definitely close. Also, for those of you needing "customer service" from agencies such as Social Security and the IRS, you might want to make alternate plans...

I'm going off of what DH has found out at work and what is on OPM's website. Based on that, essential or 'excepted' employeess will be required to work, but will not get paid until the shutdown is over. This includes military, unless Congress passes a law that states otherwise. Furloughed employees may or may not get back pay, depending on what Congress decides to do.

DH thinks he will be an excepted employee, but he likely won't find out until he shows up for work on Monday morning.

I'm leary of depending upon what happened during past shutdowns to predict what will happen this time. It is an entirely different political climate.

 

[TDC Nala]

I didn't think every agency was going to be involved, though?

DH is federal and was told he will continue to work, nothing will change for him.

"Essential employees" will continue working. I don't have that type of job. If there's a shutdown, I go home until they open up again.

 

[punkin]

"Essential employees" will continue working. I don't have that type of job. If there's a shutdown, I go home until they open up again.

There are also agencies with separate funding. They will also remain open (like DH's agency).

 

[kiddo76]

There are also agencies with separate funding. They will also remain open (like DH's agency).

Yes, good point. The shutdown will only affect those agencies that are funded through annual appropriations.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yea, nothing is guaranteed, but if history repeats itself, then folks will get paid their regular salary when it's all over with.

Different time, different priorites. If I have to go home for awhile I am not expecting any back pay.

 

[pintamino]

But I can guarantee you that members of congress will still get paid!

Which is gross... I saw a small group proposed a bill that congress not get paid until they get their **** together. But it's hard to compare finding enough money to pay the 500-odd members of congress with enough to pay 800k+ fed employees or active duty military, let alone combined.

The debt ceiling is an artificial construct. This is just stupid political infighting. DH is a federal employee, but it looks like he won't be furloughed, thank goodness. Well, on the bright side, traffic on the Beltway will be light.

Well every debt ceiling, including my own personal one, is a construct. Having limits isn't a bad or stupid thing.

I'm not sure if this one is going to show our society to be irreparably in debt, or what. I can't see what choice we have but to borrow more money, but won't borrowing more money just compound the problem? I guess that's the debate in Washington, but they need to leave the party lines, power games, and egos at the door to do what's best for America in both the short and long runs.

And FWIW, I was laid off from a federal job due to budget cuts.

 

[punkin]

Different time, different priorites. If I have to go home for awhile I am not expecting any back pay.

I think I read that there will definitely be back pay. I hope I am right because otherwise this will be a really really big disaster. Most people live paycheck to paycheck, an while they can carry their bills for a month or so, giving up a week or two of pay will be horrendous.

 

[kiddo76]

I think I read that there will definitely be back pay. I hope I am right because otherwise this will be a really really big disaster. Most people live paycheck to paycheck, an while they can carry their bills for a month or so, giving up a week or two of pay will be horrendous.

Officially, that will be up to congress. The opinions I've been reading don't look good for back pay. Without getting too political, in this climate, I'm afraid many politicians will find it difficult to vote for any pay for employees who didn't work.

 

[punkin]

Officially, that will be up to congress. The opinions I've been reading don't look good for back pay. Without getting too political, in this climate, I'm afraid many politicians will find it difficult to vote for any pay for employees who didn't work.

I hope you are wrong. Like I said, DH will get paid anyway because he is working, but no back pay for furloughed workers will be like adding insult to injury.

 

[jimaok]

Essential employees, including the military, will be required to work- Unfortunately they won't get their pay until the budget is settled. (tough for those that live paycheck to paycheck).

Non essential employees are forbidden to work (not even volunteer) they may or may not be paid after the budget is settled. In 95/96 everyone recieved back pay- not sure about this time- with the state of the economy.

But never to worry: the President and congress will continue to receive their pay without interuption.

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

If you read the various news sites, there seems to be a lot of ideas as to what will go on in the event of a government shutdown -- add the power of the internet to that, and you have one heckuva runor mill.

Based on past experience, here's what can be expected:

• The military will most likely get paid on time, as they are considered "essential services"

• 
  
  Incorrect. The military will get paid for the days worked April 1-8, nothing after that until new budget or continuing resolution is passed. In addition, ALL LEAVE is cancelled. No one make take or be granted leave during shutdown in accordance with the Antideficiency Act. My DH is second in command at his unit and has been given these directives.
  
  Refer to the OPMs weblink www.opm.gov/furlough2011 for further guidance.
  
  It's a big fat turd sandwich, the whole thing!

 

[starstruck93]

My Dh is AD and was told the same official notice. His pay will only be for April 1-8. Bad timing but we will dip into savings


So sorry you are dealing with this

Thanks so much, It's nice to have someone to talk to about this. I'm not telling any of my family.... some may worry. However... others would revel in the fact that we were hit financially.... I know, sad.. but true. ((HUGS))) to you and your family too. April

 

[wdwmom0f3]

This whole thing is a nightmare for so many people, while congress sits up there working on something that should have been taken care of 5 months ago. How many vacations did they have during that time? I know that they were on vacation just a couple of weeks ago! Insane. That should be against the law when they are working under a continuing resolution.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

This will be solved today.

Here is an excerpt from Yahoo News, "Failing to reach agreement in late-night talks at the White House, House Republicans pushed a plan Thursday that would hold off for another week the threat of a government shutdown while Congress and the Obama administration struggle to reach a budget deal. Democrats pressing for a longer-term solution rejected the short-term approach as a political maneuver meant to blame them if the government closes its doors Saturday."

 

[Hoodie]

I think I read that there will definitely be back pay. I hope I am right because otherwise this will be a really really big disaster. Most people live paycheck to paycheck, an while they can carry their bills for a month or so, giving up a week or two of pay will be horrendous.

Historically, there has been back pay, but most pundits think that it won't happen this time because there is little appetite for it. Nearly everyone in the private sector has has furlough days, layoffs, pay freezes and reductions in pay. In the past, federal workers were seen as collateral damage that needed to be reimbursed. This time they are seen as a group that really hasn't felt the recession.

The other major difference is that in the past the DoD has had an exemption in the CRs that funded for the year. That's included in the 1 week CR the house will vote on today - 1 week extension of appropriations overall and funding the DoD for the remainder of the year. It should pass the House today, but uncertain in the Senate (if it passes the Senate I doubt the Pres. would veto, even though he said he didn't want to sign it). Since the last several CRs didn't seperate the DoD out, the military is lumped with the rest of the "excepted" (essential) employees and will not be paid until after the budget is passed AND Congress votes for the retroactive pay. Anyone who is required to work will be paid....eventually.

This is already having an effect. This is prime training/conference time and many agencies are already cancelling travel and events for next week. One person cited a seminar outside of DC that would have hosted 400 people that will most likely will cancel - meaning up to 400 hotel reservations cancelled, not to mention the flights, restaurants, catering, etc. that will be cancelled.

As for the IRS....if you owe you still have to pay on time, but refunds will be delayed. The essential employees will focus on processing payments first, then refunds.

 

[starstruck93]

Historically, there has been back pay, but most pundits think that it won't happen this time because there is little appetite for it. Nearly everyone in the private sector has has furlough days, layoffs, pay freezes and reductions in pay. In the past, federal workers were seen as collateral damage that needed to be reimbursed. This time they are seen as a group that really hasn't felt the recession.

The other major difference is that in the past the DoD has had an exemption in the CRs that funded for the year. That's included in the 1 week CR the house will vote on today - 1 week extension of appropriations overall and funding the DoD for the remainder of the year. It should pass the House today, but uncertain in the Senate (if it passes the Senate I doubt the Pres. would veto, even though he said he didn't want to sign it). Since the last several CRs didn't seperate the DoD out, the military is lumped with the rest of the "excepted" (essential) employees and will not be paid until after the budget is passed AND Congress votes for the retroactive pay. Anyone who is required to work will be paid....eventually.

This is already having an effect. This is prime training/conference time and many agencies are already cancelling travel and events for next week. One person cited a seminar outside of DC that would have hosted 400 people that will most likely will cancel - meaning up to 400 hotel reservations cancelled, not to mention the flights, restaurants, catering, etc. that will be cancelled.

As for the IRS....if you owe you still have to pay on time, but refunds will be delayed. The essential employees will focus on processing payments first, then refunds.

Oh I'm sure of that too! Seriously!

 

[21hearts]

Right now we are living off of my DH's VA disablity check & my part time job. If we don't get his check next month its going to really affect us. My parents already said they will lend us what we need to cover bills & diapers until he does get the check but without them we wouldn't be able to pay most of it.

We have a little saved ($300) that we could use. Between paying for some of our daughters medical bills out of pocket (20% worth) we haven't been able to save up much..

 

[starstruck93]

My neighbor this AM was upset because they're visiting a national park today that may be closed (she posted it on Facebook) Really..... I wanted to go knock on her door and tell her how badly I felt for the EMPLOYEES of the parks and everyone else that's not getting paid... NOT wether or not she had a good day!