Its just a fact of life Making do as a furloughed federal worker in Oakland

The federal government shutdown, now the longest in U. S. history at 36 days, has left over 600,000 workers without pay, including many in the Bay Area. Oakland-based IRS employee CJ Rudolph has been furloughed since October 1 and struggles to support himself and his colleagues. The shutdown has caused significant delays in IRS operations, leading to a backlog of unresolved taxpayer issues.

Rudolph highlights the impact of previous layoffs, which reduced the IRS workforce by 11%, compounding the current crisis. To prepare, he found a credit union offering 0% interest advances for furloughed workers and switched his direct deposit. His daily routine includes attending medical appointments and engaging in union activities while seeking alternative income sources. As the shutdown persists, Rudolph expresses hope for negotiations to resolve the situation. The ongoing crisis underscores the vulnerability of federal workers during budgetary disputes.