Pay Workers What They’ve Earned Act

Reimbursement of individual costs: Covered employees, including those furloughed or excepted, can be reimbursed for "shutdown costs" which include expenses for loans, credit cards, and any fees, fines, or interest resulting from an inability to make payments due to lost salary (Section 2, subsection (d)(1)(B)).

Support for federal contractors: The bill includes any contractor with the Federal Government or their employees who are placed on unpaid leave due to a lapse in appropriations (Section 2, subsection (d)(1)(A)(iii)).

State assistance coverage: States that use their own funds for assistance programs that would have been provided by the Federal Government during a lapse of 14 days or longer can be reimbursed (Section 2, subsection (d)(3)(A)).

Timely payment for specific lapses: For the lapse beginning on or about October 1, 2025, covered employees are to be paid at the earliest date possible after the Act is enacted (Section 2, subsection (d)(2)(A)).

Dependency on appropriations: Reimbursements for shutdowns lasting 14 days or longer are subject to the availability of appropriations (Section 2, subsection (d)(2)(B)).

Application requirements: To receive any reimbursement, a covered employee or State must submit an application to the Secretary of the Treasury (Section 2, subsection (d)(4)(A)).

Verification burdens: The Secretary of the Treasury has the authority to determine what documentation is required to verify shutdown costs or expenditures (Section 2, subsection (d)(4)(B)).