Federal Shutdown Forces Families to Make Tough Choices
Amidst a federal shutdown, Stephanie Rogers finds herself contemplating her family’s future. Having relocated to her mother’s home near Denver with her daughters, the microbiologist and federal employee is making significant lifestyle adjustments.
Image Credit: Tegan Wendland/CPR News
Rogers, who has been employed by the Food and Drug Administration for 16 years, is among the many federal workers currently furloughed. High living costs prompted her to move in with her mother, a decision motivated by both financial necessity and the unpredictability of the new administration’s approach to government operations.
“When you added up the numbers between both of our family households, it was going to be something that we could not keep going long term,” explained Rogers, who is also a chapter president with the National Treasury Employees Union.
Preparing for Financial Instability
Remembering the 2018 shutdown, Rogers decided to take proactive measures this time. She rushed to complete medical check-ups and secured early medication refills for her children. Additionally, she made the difficult choice to dip into her retirement savings, aware of the potential tax implications next year.
The shutdown has forced Rogers to reconsider expenses, including her car payments and her daughters’ extracurricular activities. “In fact, we just had our freezer go out,” she lamented. “We lost our meat, and that’s just devastating to us because we were counting on that.”
With federal workers generally eligible for unemployment benefits during such times, Rogers has applied for state assistance. However, she knows she will need to return those funds once the shutdown concludes and she receives any owed back pay.
Uncertainty Looms Over Federal Workers
President Trump’s suggestion of denying back pay to some workers, alongside threats of mass firings, has added to the stress. “It feels terrible,” Rogers stated, reflecting on the insecurity of her job and benefits. Her concerns echo across the federal workforce, where employees face longer hours and reduced staff due to ongoing layoffs and funding cuts.
Despite her passion for her role in food safety, Rogers is now considering opportunities outside the federal sector. “We don’t know what our future looks like,” she expressed, hinting at the broader uncertainty facing many federal employees today.
For more insight into the government shutdown, visit this article or learn about the potential impact on federal workers here.
