Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (GEFTA)
A 2019 federal law guaranteeing retroactive pay to federal employees furloughed or required to work without pay during any lapse in appropriations, but it does not cover federal contractors.
The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (GEFTA) amended 31 U.S.C. § 1341(c) to guarantee retroactive pay to federal employees affected by a lapse in appropriations — both those furloughed (sent home without pay) and those required to keep working during the lapse without pay (“excepted” employees). Congress passed it in response to the 2018–19 shutdown, and it now applies automatically to any future lapse, not just that one. It also credits leave accrual for the furlough period, so time off during the lapse isn’t lost.
GEFTA’s guarantee is about whether back pay comes, not when — the law only requires it “as soon as possible” after the lapse ends, which can still mean weeks of missed paychecks in the meantime. See Government Shutdown Financial Survival for what to actually do about that gap, including why the same guarantee does not extend to federal contractors.
Frequently asked
Does GEFTA apply automatically, or do I have to request back pay?
It applies automatically. Once a lapse in appropriations ends, covered federal employees receive retroactive pay "as soon as possible" without needing to file a claim or show hardship.
— US Debt Compass Editorial Team
Does GEFTA cover federal contractors?
No. It applies only to federal employees. Federal contract workers have no equivalent statutory back-pay guarantee.
— US Debt Compass Editorial Team