Government Shutdown 2026: What Federal Employees Need to Know
The January 2026 shutdown is over and back pay is confirmed. Here's what happened, what it means for your pay and benefits, and how to prepare for the next one.
Government Shutdown 2026: What Federal Employees Need to Know
Last Updated: February 15, 2026 Reading Time: 12 min
Update (February 15, 2026) — DHS Partial Shutdown Begins
DHS shut down at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2026. Congress left for a week-long recess without passing a Homeland Security appropriations bill. This is a DHS-only shutdown. All other federal agencies are fully funded through September 30, 2026.
If you do not work for DHS, your pay and operations are unaffected. If you are a DHS employee, read on.
What's Different This Time
This is not a full government shutdown. Only DHS lost funding. But two factors make it unusual:
- ICE and CBP are largely insulated. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 2025) provided roughly $140 billion in reconciliation funding to ICE and CBP. These agencies operate outside normal appropriations and continue enforcement operations regardless of the shutdown.
- OPM weakened the back pay language. In January 2026, OPM removed reference to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act from its shutdown guidance. GEFTA remains law, and Congress has included back pay in every recent shutdown resolution. But the administration now frames back pay as a legislative decision rather than an automatic guarantee.
DHS Component Impact at a Glance
| Component | Employees | Working Without Pay | Furloughed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSA | 64,000 | ~60,800 (95%) | ~3,200 (5%) | Screening continues, staffing strain expected |
| Coast Guard | 55,000 | Most | Some civilians | Next payday Feb 27, at risk |
| ICE | ~20,000 | N/A | N/A | Largely unaffected (OBBBA funded) |
| CBP | ~65,000 | N/A | N/A | Largely unaffected (OBBBA funded) |
| FEMA | 22,000 | ~18,500 (84%) | ~3,500 (16%) | Emergency response continues, recovery slows |
| CISA | 2,341 | ~888 (38%) | ~1,453 (62%) | Highest furlough rate; cyber operations halted |
| Secret Service | 8,200 | ~7,700 (94%) | ~500 (6%) | Protective operations continue |
| USCIS | ~20,000 | N/A | N/A | Unaffected (fee-funded) |
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb 15 | DHS funding lapsed |
| Feb 23 | Senate returns from recess (earliest possible action) |
| Feb 27 | Coast Guard military payday, at risk |
| Feb 28 | Next biweekly pay period for most DHS civilians |
| March | Spring break travel, TSA staffing pressure intensifies |
If You're DHS: What to Do Right Now
- Check your furlough status. Contact your supervisor or check your component's contingency plan.
- Calculate your emergency fund gap. Use our GS Pay Calculator to know your exact biweekly take-home.
- Contact your bank. Navy Federal, USAA, and PenFed offer 0% APR shutdown loans and payment deferrals.
- Do NOT work if furloughed. You cannot check email, access systems, or perform any work.
- File for unemployment. Furloughed employees qualify for UCFE through your state unemployment office.
- Avoid TSP withdrawals. The 10% early withdrawal penalty (under 59.5) makes this expensive. Consider a TSP loan instead.
The Back Pay Question
The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 remains law. OPM's revised guidance no longer references it explicitly, instead stating that Congress will determine back pay. But in practice, every recent shutdown resolution has included back pay provisions. The risk is low for this shutdown. Federal employee unions (AFGE, NTEU) are monitoring closely.
Previous: January 2026 Shutdown (Resolved)
The January 2026 partial shutdown began January 31 and was resolved in early February via bipartisan spending agreement. Back pay was confirmed for all affected employees. DHS received a two-week continuing resolution through February 13, which expired without renewal.
Three shutdowns in under six months. The 43-day shutdown last fall, the January 2026 episode, and now this DHS partial shutdown. Federal employees need to be prepared at all times.
Here's what you need to know to protect yourself when the next one hits.
Key Takeaways
- DHS is the only agency shut down as of February 15, 2026. All other agencies are funded through September 30.
- ICE and CBP are largely unaffected thanks to $140B in reconciliation funding from the OBBBA.
- TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, CISA bear the weight. Most work without pay; CISA furloughs 62% of staff.
- Back pay is expected but OPM weakened the guarantee language. GEFTA remains law.
- Contractors are NOT covered. They have no legal right to back pay.
- Benefits continue. FEHB, TSP, and FEGLI keep running during a shutdown.
The 2025 Shutdown Was the Longest Ever
The October-November 2025 shutdown lasted 43 days, breaking the previous record of 35 days from 2018-2019.
| Impact | Number |
|---|---|
| Duration | 43 days |
| Employees furloughed | 670,000 |
| Excepted employees (worked without pay) | 730,000 |
| Economic cost | $11 billion (CBO) |
| SNAP recipients affected | 42 million |
Most employees received back pay within 7 days of the shutdown ending.
What Happens to Your Pay
The most important thing: back pay is guaranteed by law.
The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 ensures all federal employees receive full retroactive pay after any shutdown.
| Your Status | During Shutdown | After Shutdown |
|---|---|---|
| Furloughed | No pay, cannot work | Full back pay |
| Excepted | Must work, no pay | Full back pay + overtime |
| Exempt | Normal pay continues | No change |
| Contractors | No pay | No guarantee |
Contractors Are Not Covered
Over 4 million workers are employed under federal contracts. They have no legal right to back pay.
If you're a contractor, build a larger emergency fund. Aim for 2-3 months of expenses.
What Happens to Your Benefits
FEHB (Health Insurance)
Your health coverage continues uninterrupted.
| What Happens | Details |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Continues normally |
| Premiums | Accumulate as debt |
| After shutdown | Withheld from back pay |
| Duration | Up to 365 days in nonpay status |
OPM confirmed all FEHB plans have sufficient funds to pay claims during a shutdown.
TSP (Thrift Savings Plan)
TSP keeps running because it's not funded by annual appropriations.
| What Happens | Details |
|---|---|
| TSP.gov access | Continues normally |
| Contributions | Reduced proportionally |
| Agency match | Reduced proportionally |
| TSP loans | Stay in good standing |
| Withdrawals | Still available |
Pro tip: If you need emergency funds, a TSP loan is better than a withdrawal. Withdrawals trigger a 10% penalty if you're under 59.5.
FEGLI (Life Insurance)
Coverage continues. Premiums accumulate and are deducted from back pay.
What Happens to Your Leave
| Leave Type | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Scheduled leave | Automatically canceled |
| Use-or-lose | Eligible for restoration if properly scheduled |
| Leave accrual | Continues retroactively |
Restored Leave from Both Shutdowns
If you had use-or-lose leave restored from either the 2025 or January 2026 shutdown, check with your HR office on your restoration deadline. Restored leave must typically be used within a set timeframe or it is permanently forfeited.
How to Prepare Now
Financial Checklist
-
Calculate your emergency fund target. Use our GS Pay Calculator to know your exact biweekly take-home. Aim for 1-3 months of expenses.
-
Map your monthly cash flow. List fixed expenses: rent, car, utilities, insurance. Identify what you can cut.
-
Contact lenders proactively. Banks often offer payment deferrals during shutdowns. Navy Federal offers 0% APR shutdown loans.
-
Avoid TSP withdrawals. The 10% penalty adds up. Use emergency savings first.
Administrative Checklist
-
Know your furlough status. Ask your supervisor: excepted, exempt, or non-excepted?
-
Schedule use-or-lose leave properly. It must be in writing before the third biweekly pay period before year end.
-
File for unemployment if furloughed. Furloughed feds qualify for UCFE through your state's unemployment office.
Calculate Your Take-Home Pay
Use our free GS Pay Calculator to see your exact biweekly pay. This helps you plan your emergency fund and know exactly how much income you'd miss during a shutdown.
Resources for Federal Employees
| Resource | What They Offer |
|---|---|
| FEEA Shutdown Grants | $150 micro-grants for essentials |
| OPM Furlough Guidance | Official guidance document |
| Shutdown Assistance Map | Searchable map of offers for feds |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will federal employees get back pay after a shutdown?
Yes. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 guarantees back pay for all federal employees. Both furloughed workers and excepted employees receive full retroactive pay once the shutdown ends.
Do federal contractors get back pay after a shutdown?
No. Unlike federal employees, contractors have no legal guarantee of back pay. Proposed legislation would change this, but it hasn't passed. Contractors should maintain larger emergency funds.
What happens to my health insurance during a shutdown?
FEHB coverage continues uninterrupted. Your premiums are not deducted during the shutdown but accumulate as a debt. Once the shutdown ends, unpaid premiums are withheld from your back pay.
Can I use annual leave during a shutdown?
No. Furloughed employees cannot use any paid leave during a lapse in appropriations. All scheduled leave is automatically canceled. If you had use-or-lose leave properly scheduled, it's eligible for restoration.
When is the next government shutdown deadline?
DHS shut down on February 15, 2026, after its two-week continuing resolution expired. All other agencies are funded through September 30, 2026. Congress is on recess until February 23. The core dispute is over Democratic demands for ICE conduct reforms. No resolution is expected before Congress returns.
Is the February 2026 DHS shutdown a full government shutdown?
No. Only the Department of Homeland Security lost funding on February 15, 2026. All other federal agencies are fully funded through September 30, 2026. If you work for any agency outside DHS, your pay and operations are unaffected.
Will TSA still screen passengers during the DHS shutdown?
Yes. About 95% of TSA's 64,000 employees are deemed excepted and continue working, but without pay. During the 43-day fall 2025 shutdown, unscheduled absences doubled or tripled at some airports. If this shutdown extends into March spring break travel, expect longer security lines.
Are ICE and CBP affected by the DHS shutdown?
Minimally. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 2025) provided ICE roughly $75 billion and CBP roughly $65 billion in reconciliation funding outside normal appropriations. Immigration enforcement continues largely uninterrupted. Some administrative staff funded by annual appropriations may be affected.
Is back pay still guaranteed after the DHS shutdown?
The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 remains law. However, OPM removed reference to GEFTA from its shutdown guidance in January 2026, stating that Congress will determine whether furloughed employees receive pay. In practice, Congress has included back pay provisions in every recent shutdown resolution. Back pay is highly likely but the administration has weakened the guarantee language.
The Bottom Line
Three shutdowns in under six months proves this is the new normal. You will get paid eventually — the law guarantees it. The question is whether you can bridge the gap.
If you're a DHS employee, take action now: check your furlough status, contact your bank about payment deferrals, and file for unemployment if furloughed. For everyone else, use this period to prepare for the next funding lapse. Build your emergency fund to 2-3 months of expenses, know your furlough designation, and use our GS Pay Calculator to calculate exactly how much you need set aside.
Related Resources
- GS Pay Calculator: Calculate your exact biweekly take-home pay
- Federal Leave Optimizer: Plan your use-or-lose leave
- Severance Calculator: Compare options if facing RIF
Sources: OPM Furlough Guidance, Congress.gov GEFTA, TSP.gov, Bipartisan Policy Center
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