Furlough Guidance
Shutdown Furlough
This page provides information on shutdown furloughs. This guidance applies to activities that are funded by annual appropriations. Some agency functions have alternative funding sources and, as a result, are not directly affected by a lapse in annual appropriations. Employees performing those functions will generally continue to be governed by the normal pay, leave, and other civil service rules. Agencies should consult with their legal counsel if they have further questions concerning this distinction. Employees should consult with their human resources office.
OPM Guidance
- Special Instructions for Agencies Affected by a Possible Lapse in Appropriations Starting on December 21, 2024(PDF file)
- Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs (Dec 2021)(PDF file)
OMB Guidance
Historical Shutdown Furlough Guidance
Note:
The following guidance is applicable to the lapse in appropriations that occurred in October 2013 and December 2018-January 2019. This historical guidance is posted for reference purposes only.
- CPM 2019-06, Pay and Benefits for Employees Affected by the Lapse in Appropriations (January 27, 2019)
- OMB Memorandum M-19-09 Reopening Departments and Agencies(PDF file)
- Fact Sheet: Pay and Benefits Information for Employees Affected by the Lapse in Appropriations - UPDATE (Jan 23, 2019)
- Memorandum: Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (Jan 23, 2019)
- Memorandum: Telework and other Workplace Flexibilities for Excepted Employees during a Lapse in Appropriations (Jan 23, 2019)
- OMB - Agency Contingency Plans (2018)
- OMB Circular A-11, Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations 2018(PDF file)
- OMB Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations (Dec 18, 2018)(PDF file)
- OMB Memorandum M-18-05 Planning for Agency Operations during a Potential Lapse in Appropriations (Jan 19, 2018)
- Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs (Sep 2015)(PDF file)
- FAQs for Retroactive Paychecks for the September 22 through October 5, 2013 Biweekly Pay Period (Oct 22, 2013)
- OPM Memorandum to Agencies on Retroactive Pay and Other Matters (Oct 17, 2013)
- Information on Paychecks for September 22 through October 5, 2013 Pay Period (Oct 11, 2013)
- Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs (Oct 11, 2013)
- OMB Memorandum M-13-22, Planning for Agency Operations during a Potential Lapse in Appropriations (Sep 17, 2013)
- OMB Bulletin M-95-18 transmitting Agency Plans for Operations During Funding Hiatus, August 16 DOJ opinion, (Aug 22, 1995)
- OMB Memorandum M-91-02, Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations, (Oct 5, 1990)
- OMB Bulletin No. 80-14, Supplement No. 1, Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations, (Aug 20, 1982)
- OMB Memorandum, Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations, (Nov 17, 1981)
- OMB Bulletin 80-14, Shutdown of Agency Operations Upon Failure by the Congress to Enact Appropriations, (Aug 28, 1980)