Feb 13, 2019
By the numbers: How the 35-day shutdown affected federal workers
Government workers protest the government shutdown during a demonstration last month in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
A new Prudential survey of more than 350 federal employees and contractors who went unpaid during the 35-day government shutdown found that many cash-strapped workers were forced to take out loans, use up some or all of their emergency savings, and cut back on medical expenses.
By the numbers:
- 27% missed a mortgage or rent payment.
- 62% depleted most or all of their emergency savings.
- 49% fell behind on paying bills.
- 42% took on new debt, either through credit cards or loans.
- 25% visited a food bank.
- 23% cut back on medical expenses for themselves or family members
- 9% turned to crowdfunding.
- 83% said their overall stress levels spiked.
Go deeper: All the ways Americans felt the effects of the 35-day shutdown