Arkansas DHS could furlough over 1,500 employees if shutdown continues into November

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that if the government shutdown continues through the end of next week, they will have to furlough an additional 1,500 employees and temporarily close offices across the state.

Those furloughs and closures would officially begin on Monday, November 10, due to a lack of federal funding.

“The government shutdown has put enormous strain on many services we offer, and we are deeply concerned that important benefits Arkansans rely on will suffer as a result,” DHS Secretary Janet Mann said. “First and foremost, this will be painful for the beneficiaries we serve, and we regret that we have been placed in this position. It will also be painful for the hundreds of employees within our agency who will not be paid for as