Shutdown Update: When Will Federal Paychecks, SNAP Benefits Resume?

We are close to the end of the federal shutdown. What happens next?

Today, the U.S. House will be in session for one day to vote on the new spending package to reopen the government and fund several agencies and programs. For a look inside the deal, click here.

Given that the bill passes the House and President Trump signs it into law, there are many questions about what happens next and how soon paychecks and benefits can get into Americans’ bank accounts. 

Federal Worker Paychecks

Currently, 1.4 million federal workers have been affected by the shutdown. Over 750,000 of them have been furloughed—sent home without pay—while the rest are working unpaid. When the government reopens, federal workers are entitled to back pay. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, signed by President Trump during his first administration, entitles all of these federal workers to their back pay. 

Agencies must issue retroactive payments as soon as possible. They don’t have to wait for a scheduled pay date, which for many won’t be for another week.

Air Traffic Controllers

Travelers are keenly watching how the end of the shutdown will impact air travel and get us back to normal. As we reported recently, the Federal Aviation Administration has instituted mandatory cuts to flights, gradually ramping up to 10%. Even if the FAA halts this effort, it will take time for normalcy to return. 

Getting air traffic controllers back to work is the focal point of safe air travel. These workers have not been paid, and many have called out sick, leading to severe disruptions. 

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that paying these workers will happen and happen quickly. Air traffic controllers will receive “70% of their pay” within “24 to 48 hours” of the government reopening. “I encourage all of them to come to work,” Duffy said, urging the air traffic controllers “to be patriots” and help navigate the airspace.

In a twist, President Trump threatened to dock pay for absences and recommended a bonus for air traffic controllers, who worked each day without pay. On Truth Social, he said:

“For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax,” I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country.

Secretary Duffy co-signed the idea, though not committing to $10,000 specifically.

Even when the shutdown ends, it may take some time for flights to resume as normal, but Sec. Duffy is hopeful that Thanksgiving won’t be too disrupted.

SNAP Benefits

Once the president signs the bill into law ending the shutdown, money should immediately go out to beneficiaries in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food benefits. This will be a relief for the 42 million households receiving these benefits.

Importantly, the negotiated bill funds the SNAP program through the end of the 2026 fiscal year on October 30th. So even when this continuing resolution ends, this program and others will not run out of funds.

Bottom Line

After 43 days, we may finally have an end to this shutdown that has spread needless hardship to tens of millions of Americans.