Federal workers barely make it through the government shutdown

In late September, A federal worker residing overseas learned that her husband, too Federal worker An Army veteran, he was suffering from a “very aggressive, aggressive cancer.” Doctors told the couple that the cancer must be removed immediately or it would not be treatable.

Her husband is covered by the TRICARE health care program for military members and veterans. “You pay upfront, and then you get reimbursed,” says the federal worker, who requested anonymity because she is not authorized to speak to the press. “Usually with larger surgeries like this, you get pre-approved and the payment process is easier,” she says.

But on October 1, a few days before her husband was to go in for surgery, Government shutdown. This means that his claims cannot even be paid Government reopening. “Once the shutdown happened, I didn’t hear from any other TRICARE representatives. I tried calling and couldn’t get anyone on the phone,” the federal employee says. The couple walked away with tens of thousands of dollars.

These are just two of them 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed Trying to make ends meet as the government reaches 30 days of lockdown. WIRED spoke with more than a dozen federal employees who have struggled over the past few weeks and described choosing side jobs, taking advantage of… Free nutritional programsOr work under frustrating conditions to survive.

Food banks and other organizations like chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen have stepped in to try to soften the blow for furloughed feds, offering free meals. But when they entered Andres de C. Galeo’s restaurant, a Justice Department employee says, they were overcome by a feeling of desperation. The Feds sat along the restaurant bar quietly eating free sandwiches. “There was something really sad for me,” says the Justice Department employee. “I felt like, ‘Wow, we’re really just people who have been abused.’

To make up for lost wages, some workers take on side jobs, such as babysitting or playing live music, to earn extra money.

“I’m worried about my mortgage because I don’t have a lot of savings, but I’m fortunate to make some money (through) random backup services around town and I have a partner who can help some,” says one GSA worker. “I’m very fortunate, so trying to help colleagues I know don’t have that support.”