NEED TO KNOW

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are furloughed or working without pay amid the government shutdown

LaShanda Palmer, a lead transportation officer with the TSA and a local union president, says she is facing mounting financial strain as the shutdown nears its one-month mark

In addition to going without pay during the shutdown, Palmer has concerns about feeding her family due to the cancellation of SNAP benefits for November

When LaShanda Palmer started her car on Monday, Oct. 27, she realized her inspection sticker was expired and a maintenance light came on, reminding her it was due for an oil change.

She would typically address both matters expeditiously, but she simply can't afford to right now.

Palmer, 50, is employed by the Transportation Security Administ

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