Federal Workers Are Barely Making It Through the Government Shutdown

In late September, A federal worker stationed abroad learns that her husband, who is a Federal employees and a military veteran, had “high-risk, highly aggressive cancer.” Doctors told the couple that the cancer needed to be removed immediately or it would no longer be treatable.

Her husband is covered by TRICARE, the health care program offered to members of the military and veterans. “You basically pay upfront and then you get paid,” said the federal worker, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the press. “Usually with major surgeries like this, you get pre-authorization and the payment process is easy,” she says.

But on October 1, a few days before her husband left for surgery, Dr Government shut down. This means that his claims cannot be paid until The government is reopening. “As soon as the shutdown happened, I didn’t hear anything else [TRICARE] Representative I tried to call and I can’t get anyone on the phone,” said the federal worker. The couple has thousands of dollars

These are just two 750,000 federal workers furloughed The government is trying to end the shutdown as soon as it reaches 30 days. WIRED spoke to more than a dozen federal workers who have struggled over the past few weeks and described picking side gigs with benefits. Free food programor working in desperate conditions to survive.

Other organizations like the Food Bank and chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen have stepped in to soften the blow for furloughed feds by offering free meals. But upon entering Andres’ D.C. restaurant Jalio, a Justice Department employee said, they were overcome with a sense of disappointment. Free sandwiches were quietly served sitting along the restaurant bar. “Something about it was really sad to me,” the Justice Department staffer said. “It just felt like, wow, we’re really oppressed people.”

To make up for missed paychecks, some workers are picking up side gigs to earn extra cash, such as babysitting or playing live music.

“I’m worried about my mortgage because I don’t have a lot of savings, but I’ve been lucky enough to earn some cash [with] Random backup gigs around town and a partner who can help out a bit. I’m very fortunate, so I’m trying to help colleagues who I know don’t have that support,” said a General Services Administration worker.