# Have you ever been personally affected by a federal government shutdown? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 1, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572 "2025-10-01T17:00:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/1 "2025-10-01T17:00:33Z")
For me twice. Once when visiting Seattle, I wanted to take my family to see Ballard Locks and the salmon running. Nope! It is run by the US Army Corps of Engineers so no visitors. I don’t know if the boats and fish were not allowed to use it. The second time, a branch of BofA basically stole $500 from me. After repeated attempts to get it back from the bank manager, I filed a complaint with the Comptroller of the Currency. But it was not handled until after the government got back from shutdown. Happy note, once they did it took 48 hours for the BofA district manager to call and apologize, say that manager would be receiving training, and for me to go into the branch, she has your check. I did and she did. She was most displeased. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/2 "2025-10-01T17:06:17Z")
Once critically, though how many more indirectly, who knows. I lost my prior job in large part due to shutdowns in Trump 1.0 affecting our funding, other planned cuts on what was fundamentally a social service, and increasing viable competition from AI that it was better to cut the costs and move out of the field when the contract was up shortly after Trump 2.0 began and it was obvious that the administration was going to do exactly what they said. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/3 "2025-10-01T17:08:56Z")
I was furloughed today. So, yes. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/4 "2025-10-01T17:15:43Z")
That sucks. I’m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/5 "2025-10-01T17:18:53Z")
My wife works as a subcontractor to the federal government and it’s still up in the air if they’re actually working now or not (they were told they would be but then someone else said maybe not and the person who WOULD make the final call is… furloughed) We’re supposed to make a trip to a national park next weekend. Supposedly, they’ll be “open” but if it’s just a skeleton crew then there’s no telling what the actual park condition will be for parking, trash and maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/6 "2025-10-01T17:35:42Z")
This is my fourth shutdown as a federal employee, starting with **[the one in 2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_United_States_federal_government_shutdown)**. For the last three, my employer dug some change out of the couch cushions and kept the place running beyond the official gov’t-wide shutdown date: - The **[shutdown in early 2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2018_United_States_federal_government_shutdown)** was short enough so that I was never off work. - The **[shutdown at the end of 2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%932019_United_States_federal_government_shutdown)** was 35 days long, and I was off of work for four weeks of that. - **[The current shutdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_United_States_federal_government_shutdown)** started at midnight last night, and I’m on duty today. No word on when my employer’s couch-cushion money will run out, but I’d bet it will be a week or less. Contract employees got sent home this morning. Speaking as a person with plenty of savings, a shutdown amounts to a lovely vacation. I can’t really leave town, but in 2013 and 2018-2019, I got plenty of stuff done around the house. As a taxpayer and a person who recognizes that there are a lot of households and businesses that struggle financially during a shutdown, a shutdown is a horrible travesty and I wish our government weren’t so dysfunctional. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/7 "2025-10-01T18:01:00Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > - The **[shutdown in early 2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2018_United_States_federal_government_shutdown)** was short enough so that I was never off work. > - The **[shutdown at the end of 2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%932019_United_States_federal_government_shutdown)** was 35 days long, and I was off of work for four weeks of that. > - **[The current shutdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_United_States_federal_government_shutdown)** started at midnight last night, and I’m on duty today. No word on when my employer’s couch-cushion money will run out, but I’d bet it will be a week or less. Contract employees got sent home this morning. Just out of interest, I looked this up: > As of February 2024, 10 funding gaps have led to federal employees being furloughed So, this would be the 11th. Three of those were under Trump, which technically ties him with Reagan, but Reagan’s were all one day or less, making Trump the undisputed Shutdown Champion of America. And let’s not forget who he said should be blamed for a shutdown, before he became president… > **[Reddit - The heart of the internet](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/comments/1nv72ud/historical_record_of_trump_blaming_the_president/)** ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/8 "2025-10-01T18:01:33Z")
Yes, this one. As an American living overseas, we ping the embassy a couple times a year for stuff. We had an appointment for something in two weeks but now they’re not responding to messages about what we’re supposed to bring and we’re assuming they’re closed except for urgent business like passport renewals. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/9 "2025-10-01T18:05:42Z")
Tomorrow was the appointment to start my Social Security. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/10 "2025-10-01T18:56:28Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > This is my fourth shutdown as a federal employee, Mine too, except I have to be at work. The last time I was ok with money, this time might be a bit different since I just bought a car a few months ago. On top of that, we were informed today that our office was being moved, and we will be moved by December. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/11 "2025-10-01T19:04:33Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > My wife works as a subcontractor to the federal government and it’s still up in the air if they’re actually working now or not (they were told they would be but then someone else said maybe not and the person who WOULD make the final call is… furloughed) We have a number of seniors who came (or came back) to work for us on an ongoing basis as contract employees, meaning they are officially classified as contractors rather than actual federal employees. They were all sent home this morning. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/12 "2025-10-02T02:11:56Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > This is my fourth shutdown as a federal employee, starting with **[the one in 2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_United_States_federal_government_shutdown)**. I was furloughed for all four of those. I was in the Navy during the [1990 shutdown](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_United_States_federal_government_shutdown), but I don’t recall being affected by it. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/13 "2025-10-02T02:18:08Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > they are officially classified as contractors rather than actual federal employees. They were all sent home this morning. This is what really pisses me off. Both historical precedent and [Law](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Employee_Fair_Treatment_Act_of_2019) say that I’ll eventually get back pay, but contractors are just screwed. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/14 "2025-10-02T13:27:23Z")
Personally no. My brother is a long time federal employee and has been furloughed several times. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/15 "2025-10-02T14:29:08Z")
Fed employee since 86, so I’ve lost track how many shutdowns have occurred. Only once - back in the 80s IIRC, did we receive “furlough notices.” Not sure if it was that time or another, but I actually filed for unemployment, as I was younger, less financially secure, w/ new house mortgage/young kid. That was a hassle as I later had to figure out the process to repay it. It used to cause some stress due to the financial uncertainty. Before they became so common it was not always a sure thing that we would get paid through the shutdown. IIRC, some paychecks were delayed. Mostly, it just is an added unnecessary hassle at work. And no one really knows the rules WRT reporting time, taking leave, etc. And, as a taxpayer, the ridiculous waste of folk having to do such unnecessary administrative tasks, in addition to meetings/worry over uncertainty, is disheartening. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/16 "2025-10-02T16:58:02Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Fed employee since 86, so I’ve lost track how many shutdowns have occurred. Only once - back in the 80s IIRC, did we receive “furlough notices.” Not sure if it was that time or another, but I actually filed for unemployment, as I was younger, less financially secure, w/ new house mortgage/young kid. That was a hassle as I later had to figure out the process to repay it. During one of the shutdowns, probably the same one you’re thinking of, I was furloughed, despite having a job that had always been considered “essential” in the past (SSA). We were given information on applying for unemployment in case the furlough went on long enough for us to qualify. I did register at the local unemployment office, but as it turned out I was back at work before I could collect. I can’t recall if I received back pay for the furloughed time. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2025, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/17 "2025-10-03T01:41:55Z")
Federal grants administration systems are also shut down, so yes, this affects me. Currently we can draw from ASAP for existing grants but all pending applications are on hold and we can’t apply for anything new. This sucks generally, but I’m going to be honest, it kinda saved my ass right now. I have a 30-page federal grant due on the 27th and due to personal issues and competing deadlines, I was feeling panicked about it. I’m still writing the grant as if it’s due on the 27th but I’m panicking less about hitting that exact deadline. Odds are good it will be rescheduled after the shutdown, and I’ll have everything ready to go. It also gives us more time to collect letters of support from other agencies. The thing that’s really fucking me up isn’t the government shutdown but the Michigan legislature still not having a budget passed. It’s affecting everything from my son’s education to victims’ services - we’re waiting to find out if and how much the state is willing to compensate for the federal reduction in VOCA funding for victims of crime. We need $50 million. Currently there is a $1 placeholder. We’ve had strong voices of support including Whitmer but I have no idea how it’s going to shake out, and neither does the Division of Victims’ services. Could be catastrophic if we don’t get a line in the state budget. 75% cuts to VOCA. This would look like losing 50% of domestic violence and sexual assault service staff throughout the entire state. (Just a silly postscript: I’m meeting with an intern Monday who is dying to know about “strategic alternatives to VOCA cuts” and there will be some hard truths to convey. I mentioned it to my husband and he suggested I say, “Well: When tweetle beetles fight…”) ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2025, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/18 "2025-10-03T11:00:21Z")
I used to work for the EPA as a temp, so I was doubly destined to lose my job. Ted Cruz led the government shutdown that year, so I was out the door. Cruz became my most hated person of all time until the blond pumpkinhead came along. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2025, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/19 "2025-10-03T12:29:39Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Cruz became my most hated person of all time until the blond pumpkinhead came along. Being more detestable than Ted Cruz is a kind of extraordinary accomplishment, I suppose. [![](https://i.makeagif.com/media/2-06-2016/IP7L26.gif) ](https://i.makeagif.com/media/2-06-2016/IP7L26.gif) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572/20 "2025-10-03T14:57:56Z")
I’m surprised. I was able to complete my phone appointment. The application has been filed. Due to possible delays, I will get bacvk payments to the time I requested it–August.😲 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-personally-affected-by-a-federal-government-shutdown/1023572.md?page=2)