The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history has ended, but a return to normal operations could take considerable time. Millions of federal workers, government services, and systems remain stretched thin as the 43-day standoff concludes.

While Congress and the president have agreed to reopen the government, the biggest question for nearly 1.5 million federal employees who went without paychecks is: when will the money come?

Under the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, both furloughed employees and those forced to work without pay are guaranteed back pay. However, the money won't arrive immediately.

"The clock starts the moment the bill is signed and starts as law," explained Shaun Southworth on Instagram, a federal employment attorney.

While attorneys predict most

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