For the reason that Oct. 1 shutdown furloughed about 750,000 authorities staff nationwide, there seems to be no finish to the congressional stalemate that led to the work stoppages.
In the meantime, these employed in important service jobs reminiscent of air site visitors management should proceed to work with out pay and the White Home has urged that maybe not all federal staff will receive back pay as soon as the shutdown ends. Amid efforts to downsize the federal workforce, some furloughed workers obtained layoff notices, although a federal choose on Tuesday indefinitely barred the administration from firing federal workers throughout the federal government shutdown.
Native public, personal and philanthropic sectors should present assist to staff in Washington state who haven’t solely been furloughed as a result of latest federal authorities shutdown, however who might not obtain again pay.
In accordance with the state Employment Safety Division, Washington has greater than 79,000 federal workers with total wages of $2 billion. These jobs embody providers for the aged, nationwide safety and house analysis. Federal workers contribute to native economies by means of their spending.
The work stoppages imply extra individuals in our state should flip to federal authorities packages just like the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program, beforehand referred to as meals stamps. Nonetheless, SNAP is slated to come back to a halt on Nov. 1. Each SNAP and the Emergency Meals and Shelter program have undergone important funding reductions for the reason that begin of 2025. As well as, the federal Girls, Infants & Youngsters Program, which gives wholesome meals, well being screenings and referrals to tens of millions of moms and their infants nationwide, is predicted to run out of money in November.
The Washington State Division of Well being introduced on Oct. 9 that the state’s WIC program will proceed to supply meals advantages by means of the tip of October.
We laud state and native governments’ efforts to supply aid through the shutdown. The Employment Safety Division has pledged to assist those eligible to receive unemployment benefits, and Public Well being — Seattle & King County will present onetime meals vouchers to present WIC enrollees by means of November. Each the state Legislature and governments at the moment are confronted with arising with extra income amid great price range shortages and cries from group leaders and constituents to spare additional reductions to packages that serve their neighborhoods.
But when the shutdown continues, it would imply extra individuals will go hungry. Extra will faucet into their financial savings simply to maintain meals on the desk, the lights on or the lease paid. Extra can be evicted from their properties. And extra pressure can be positioned on security internet organizations like meals banks, utility help businesses and different nonprofits.
At United Method of King County, we and our companions see firsthand how the necessity is rising. We ship meals to 4,000 households every week. In fiscal yr 2025, United Method supplied greater than 2,300 households with housing stability providers reminiscent of lease help, eviction prevention and authorized help to maintain individuals housed. This was made attainable by funding from each private and non-private sources. For the reason that pandemic started, we’ve helped over 30,000 households keep of their properties by means of private and non-private funding.
However the waitlists for meals, utility and lease help that have been already rising earlier than the shutdown might in the end broaden past our capacity to supply ample aid.
Till federal workers return to work, they need assistance addressing all of the monetary burdens that folks face from a sudden lack of wages. We and our companions are doing what we are able to to shoulder that burden, however we are able to’t do it alone.
We implore funders, donors, and state and native businesses to affix us in serving to feed and shelter people and households at a time of elevated want.
And we urge you to contact your federal lawmakers to say sufficient is sufficient. Finish the shutdown. Put individuals again to work. And restore funding to safety-net packages that assist these staff’ efforts to make ends meet.
