Federal back pay, flights, SNAP: When ‘normal’ might return

Now that the country’s longest government shutdown has ended , when can we expect many aspects of our lives to return to normal?

Here’s what we learned about when federal workers can expect back pay, when more flights will resume, when Americans in need can expect full SNAP benefits and more.

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Federal jobs, RIFs and back pay

The bill that ended the shutdown reinstated thousands of government employees who were laid off during the shutdown, secured back pay and protected against additional reductions-in-force (RIFs) through the end of January.

It’s unclear when exactly furloughed workers will get their back pay or how fast paychecks might resume, but the White House has urged federal agencies to send paychecks out "ex