Lapse in Appropriations

Due to the lapse in appropriations, while excepted activities are still ongoing, the Agency no longer has the necessary funds to support non-excepted activities.

Your leadership understands that this could be a time of uncertainty for each of you. As we move into the third week of the lapse in appropriations your supervisors should have been in contact with you to share important resources as the lapse status remains active. 

In addition, we wanted to connect with you and ensure you had the latest general information that we thought would be useful:
 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • We understand many of you are eager to return to work. The Agency is reviewing on a daily basis our excepted activities and the need for additional personnel to conduct them. But we are limited to executing excepted activities. 
 
  • While the administration has identified funds to pay active duty military personnel, this funding does not include Department of War civilian employees. 

 

  • Federal employee Health Benefits (FEHB) coverage remains active during the shutdown even if the Agency does not make premium payments on time, ensuring uninterrupted health coverage. Following the lapse, each employee will automatically begin to repay their share of FEHB premiums that accumulated during the lapse through payroll withholding. 

 

  • Your supervisors have familiarized themselves with the latest guidance and are prepared to continue answering your questions. Many questions are addressed in the Furlough FAQs page via OPM.gov. Supervisors also have access to phone numbers for the NSA furlough hotline and financial counselors should you need them.
 
  • Some wellness resources are available during the lapse in appropriations. Per Department of War guidance, services are limited to emergency counseling, crisis intervention, intake screening, and referral services:
    • Employees can call Behavioral Health and Life Services (Monday–Friday, 0700–1500 hours EDT) at NSA/CSS Washington or through the local Employee Assistance Service Office in the field. 
    • Outside of operating hours and for emergencies, employees can call the Security Operations Command Center. 
    • Military members may also receive support through Military OneSource and Military and Family Life Counseling.
 
  • Talent Management professionals are available to address questions for the duration of the shutdown. Personnel questions can be addressed by contacting the Talent Management Furlough Hotline (Monday–Friday, 0700–1500 hours EDT).  Outside of these operating hours, employees can leave a message and someone will respond the next business day. 
 
  • Employees are encouraged to contact their supervisors for the numbers above, or if they have any additional questions. 

AVAILABLE SERVICES INCLUDE 

  • Unemployment Insurance: 
    • It is possible that furloughed employees may become eligible for state unemployment benefits while unpaid during the shutdown. 
    • State unemployment compensation requirements differ, and employees should submit questions to the appropriate state (or District of Columbia) unemployment office.
    • It is important to note that employees may be required to repay any unemployment insurance payments once an appropriations bill is enacted and they receive back pay for the period of the furlough.
    • Excepted employees working without pay are not eligible for unemployment benefits.
 
  • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Loans: 
    • If you have a TSP loan and are an active participant (not separated from federal service or in a non-pay status for another reason), TSP will automatically update your status to keep your loan in good standing, even if TSP does not receive repayments during the shutdown. 
    • Additionally, the lapse in appropriations does not prevent you from requesting a new TSP loan.  
    • Please refer to the TSP website for additional information.
 
  • Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA): 
    • FEEA offers shutdown grants for qualifying full-time federal civilian employees. 
    • The shutdown grant application will only become available if the shutdown persists beyond the point that federal employees miss all or part of a paycheck. 
    • In past shutdowns, FEEA has offered micro-grants to support federal employees impacted by a shutdown, covering essentials like groceries, gas, diapers, and other basic necessities. 
    • Shutdown grants are generally available to full-time federal employees who are either furloughed or working in an excepted status.
 
  • State and local aid: 
    • Certain states, such as Maryland and Virginia, offer temporary no-interest loan programs, as well as protections against utility shutoffs and evictions, for furloughed federal employees. 
    • Information on how to apply for these programs is available through respective state workforce agencies.
 
  • Banking and Financial Institution Support: 
    • Many banks are offering accommodations to affected federal workers, including fee waivers, payment deferrals, and low- or zero-interest loans to help them manage expenses. 
    • Employees are encouraged to contact their financial institutions directly to inquire about available relief.
 
  • Payroll: 
    • Leave and Earnings Statements for this pay period may not include certain allowances, such as Living Quarters Allowance, Post Allowance, Separate Maintenance Allowance, Retention Incentive, Foreign Language Incentive Pay, and Non-Foreign COLA (Hawaii, Alaska). This list is not all-inclusive. 
    • Such entitlements will be paid retroactively when a system solution is identified or once the FY26 budget is approved by Congress, whichever occurs first. 

 

CONTACT US

For NSA/CSS affiliates:
Any inquiries on this from the media or public, NSA/CSS affiliates should refer them to NSA’s Public Affairs Office at mediarelations@nsa.gov or direct them to NSA.gov’s Contact Us form.

For media:
Any inquiries on the above information, please reach out NSA’s Public Affairs Office at mediarelations@nsa.gov or via our Contact Us  form.