Shutdown Leaves Hundreds of Thousands Unpaid; SNAP Order

The month-long U.S. government shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed or unpaid, forcing many to miss paychecks and rely on credit cards, food banks, crowdfunding and sale of belongings while some face car repossessions. Thousands have filed for unemployment but are encountering delays and eligibility problems in state systems, and workers who accept benefits may later have to repay them if they receive back pay. Many furloughed employees are turning to gig and side work — from dog walking and tutoring to baking and event services — to stay afloat. The shutdown is threatening SNAP, which serves roughly 1 in 8 Americans, and federal judges have ordered the White House to use contingency funds to keep the program running while the administration seeks legal clarification. Nonprofits and local governments report rising demand for rental, utility and shelter assistance, and interruptions to SNAP, Head Start and other federal programs are producing direct consequences for low-income families.