By Kyle Jackson
As of Oct. 31, 2025, the U.S. government has been shut down for one full month, marking the longest governmental shutdown to date. In that time, federal employees have been placed in a detrimental situation.
When the U.S. Government shuts down, over one million federal workers receive little to no pay. Since the beginning of the shutdown on Oct. 1, employees have yet to receive a full paycheck. Officials have stated that pay will be given when the shutdown ends, yet there is some doubt from workers.
This lack of finances has affected many families’ livelihoods in many ways.
Despite not being directly affected, 19 year old Jenison local, Carolyn Irving, has noted how her life has been influenced by her concerns about her friends and family.
“I know that some of my friends are definitely being affected, like, with money for food, that kind of thing,” Irving said.
For most who are directly affected, it’s more than just money on the line. Food is a major problem due to the lack of pay, meaning families are scraping by for basic necessities. In addition to food, there is the matter of housing costs. No pay means that federal employees and their families could be out of a home should things not change soon. Health is also a matter of concern, as well.
“My dad works in healthcare,” continued Irving. “And I know it can be more difficult to get healthcare now with new bills being passed. I would want everyone to have as much help as they can get, or as much food as they need. I don’t want any of my friends to feel like they have to do crazy things to be able to just have what they need to survive.”
From the perspective of onlookers, the division in Washington D.C. has been more responsible for placing blame rather than it has taking action.
“I just don’t like that it is so one-sided,” stated Irving. “We’re blaming someone else for a problem that we both contributed to.”
This division has created doubt that this matter can be resolved anytime soon.
In addition to civilian federal employees, those serving our country are being affected as well. For those in the military, the government shutdown has
Robarradas-Lopez has been a member of the Michigan National Guard for five years. Lopez is a 25 Hotel, being the one to work with satellite, phone lines, setting up internet, and more with communications equipment.
With the shutdown, the Michigan National Guard is unable to receive state funding for on-base expenses such as pay. This is due to the state funding coming from the national government.
Lopez stated: “For at least in the Michigan National Guard, it entails that, so, we are on, those who are just MD only (mobilization/deployment) do the once a month, two weeks out of the year, we have funding. So that funding is for, obviously, our base pay, our mileage if we are far from our unit… housing for if we have to stay longer than five days or on active orders. All that money usually comes from the state, but that state funding comes from the federal budget.”
There are methods available to soldiers and other federal employees. However, they can be hit or miss in being reliable. For instance, taking out loans through a military-focused banking method like USAA or Navy Federal can help, but you are required to have good credit and need to pay said loan off after the shutdown.
“Due to me being in the National Guard,” Lopez continued, “I do still have the ability to have a job. I work at a hospital as a medical lab assistant. Thanks to that, I still have a paycheck every month.”
With such uncertainty, various federal employees, like Lopez, are turning to other means of work during this time. Other employed methods are various pantries, community events, apps that help with deals such as Good Rx, and more to push through these trying times.
Until the government lifts the lockdown, this is what the lives of federal employees are until further notice.
