‘I have no idea what I’m going to do:’ Feds abroad fret about making rent without pay or subsidies during shutdown

Sentinel

During the government shutdown, federal civilian employees stationed overseas face unique and severe financial hardship. They are not receiving regular pay, housing allowances, or other stipends, and unlike their domestic counterparts, cannot access unemployment benefits or take second jobs due to visa restrictions and security clearances. Foreign landlords and utility companies are largely unsympathetic to the U.S. issue, rendering official letters from agencies ineffective. This situation leaves many without a plan to pay their bills, while also impacting critical services such as passport acceptance and support for U.S. citizens abroad.