As the government shutdown stretches into its 33rd day, nearly 800,000 federal employees continue to work without pay or remain furloughed across the country.1 Recognizing the impact that a missed paycheck can have on these individuals, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) is encouraging Omaha-Council Bluffs metro residents who have been affected by the shutdown to call its 2-1-1 Helpline.
About 60% of Americans don’t have enough savings to pay for an emergency between $500 and $1,000.2 This means an average federal employee, whose weekly take-home pay is about $500, may currently be struggling to pay their bills or buy necessities such as food.3 And because the government shutdown may impact the distribution of March SNAP benefits and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s ability to provide funding for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers, the number of individuals impacted by the shutdown may continue to increase.