Bottom line: During a shutdown, the normal “job market” slows, but the “panic cash economy” explodes. The people who make real money quickly are the ones who move within the first 72 hours on the options above instead of waiting for USAJobs or severance that may never come.

They said if we don’t pay by Friday they’ll give our spot away. I’m a single mom and I can’t lose childcare. Here’s what’s keeping me from completely falling apart.

The calls started on day two—credit cards, car loan, student loans. I can’t even listen to the voicemails anymore. If you’re doing the same, please read this.

I opened the email that said “final notice” and almost threw up. The lights are staying on. You’re going to be okay. I keep telling myself that on repeat. Here’s what actually works when you have $11 in checking.

I woke up at 3 a.m. sweating because the mortgage company sent the “90-day notice” even though we’re only on day 4 of the shutdown. If you’re feeling that same stomach-drop, listen to me—they legally cannot foreclose on a furloughed federal employee this fast.

Your clearance is a golden ticket even when your agency is dark. First-week realistic take: $4,000–$12,000 and if you already have an active clearance.

The government and related organizations actually have shutdown-specific lifelines. These aren’t “making money” in the traditional sense, but they are instant cash or cash-equivalent that most laid-off feds never claim.

When the paycheck stops immediately, speed beats everything else. Realistic Day 1–7 total from this article alone: $1,500–$4,000 if you combine delivery and plasma.

A government shutdown or RIF is chaotic and scary — but for many, it’s the push they needed to finally leave a job they quietly hated. You’re not starting over. You’re starting better.

The silver lining: Your clearance and federal experience are gold right now. These are the best job-search strategies for cleared government workers.

During a shutdown furlough (not RIF), you are almost always entitled to retroactive pay once the budget is passed. During a true RIF, you usually are NOT. Know the difference — your notice letter will say “furlough” or “separation/RIF.”

You’ve just been handed a furlough notice or RIF letter. This is your practical first-week survival guide (step-by-step checklist). Here’s exactly what to do in the first week.

The government still owes you backpay, but a bunch of agencies (DoD, DHS, DOJ especially) will let “essential” personnel TDY-travel during shutdowns and pay per diem upfront on your GTC because lodging/meals are considered “excepted expenditures.”

You’re either furloughed (free time) or essential (working for free IOUs). Either way, Uncle Sam just turned you into a 100% commission salesperson with no cap.

If you’re “essential/excepted” you’re working without a paycheck right now. Here’s how to turn that into immediate cash.

This is called “clearance whoring” in Northern Virginia. Average practitioner clears $350k–$600k/year with zero loyalty. The same companies that laid you off via budget cuts will pay you double to sit in the same cubicle wearing a different badge.

The shutdown isn’t a crisis. It’s the fastest wealth-transfer event from taxpayer to connected insider that happens in America. Position yourself correctly and you’ll come out ahead — with backpay as the cherry on top.

You’re excepted, still have your CAC, still have agency email, still have access to JWICS/SIPR/NIPR, and contractors are suddenly blind because 40–80% of the government POCs just vanished overnight.

Furloughed = paid vacation with a delay. Treat it like a startup sprint.

Many agencies let you keep certain access (email, CAC card, building access) for 30–90 days post-separation. Use it.