Do USPS employees get paid during a federal government shutdown?

1. What claim are we checking and why it matters for workers and taxpayers

The central claim is simple: Do USPS employees get paid during a federal government shutdown? Multiple entries in the dossier assert that the Postal Service’s funding model — relying on revenues from postage, services, and a permanent no‑year appropriation for certain functions — means it does not shut down when Congress fails to pass appropriations, so postal operations and paychecks continue. The union statement and explanatory pieces frame this as a contrast with many other federal employees who face furloughs or must work without immediate pay during a lapse in appropriations ^{[1] [2]}. This distinction matters for workers’ household finances and for public expectations about mail service continuity during political stalemates.

2. Why the USPS funding structure drives the outcome, and what the sources say

The dossier emphasizes that the USPS is an independent establishment that is predominantly self‑funded through the sale of products and services and therefore is not directly dependent on annual Congressional appropriations for routine operations. Several analyses explicitly link this funding model to uninterrupted operations and continued pay for postal workers, noting that mail delivery and post office services generally proceed during shutdowns ^{[2] [3] [4]}. The OIG shutdown plan referenced also implies the USPS remains operational, noting a permanent appropriation and internal continuity plans, which in practice supports the conclusion that employees are typically paid even when other federal agencies pause.

3. Areas of agreement across the dossier and the strongest supporting evidence

There is broad agreement in these materials: union guidance, news explainer summaries, and internal USPS documentation all converge on the point that mail handlers and most postal employees continue to receive pay and report to work when appropriations lapse ^{[1] [3]}. The most direct statements come from the National Postal Mail Handlers Union and recent articles dated October 1, 2025, and August 1, 2025, which explicitly state operations and pay continue. The OIG and USPS background materials reinforce the structural basis for that conclusion by describing the Postal Service’s revenue model and operational continuity provisions ^{[4] [5]}.

4. Caveats, edge cases, and indirect consequences the dossier highlights

The sources also note important caveats: while USPS operations and payroll are generally unaffected directly, some activities that require coordination with other federal agencies (passport processing, certain interagency reimbursements) could be disrupted if partner agencies are closed. The OIG plan discusses exceptions for functions necessary to protect life and property and potential internal furloughing for the OIG, showing that not every USPS‑related role is automatically immune to shutdown effects ^[5]. Additionally, union and media pieces warn about indirect economic ripple effects from a broader shutdown, and past shutdowns produced measurable national economic costs, underscoring that continuity for USPS employees does not mean zero impact on the service or economy ^[1].

5. Bottom line for readers and what to watch in a current or future shutdown

The dossier supports a clear bottom line: Most USPS employees will be paid and continue work during a federal government shutdown because the Postal Service’s funding and operational status differ from typical appropriated federal agencies ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Watch for two things in any specific shutdown: whether any USPS activities dependent on other agencies are curtailed, and whether short‑term liquidity or extraordinary fiscal measures are invoked. The sources date most recently to October 1, 2025, and August 1, 2025, reflecting consistent messaging across union communications, media explainers, and USPS/OIG documentation ^{[3] [5]}.