So the good news is that the president passed a bill guaranteeing back pay. Before, if I had to take any time off (because I was sick or needed leave) I would technically be "furloughed" and would receive no pay for it. However now we can take time off and get paid back eventually. Using our leave.

That is fine. I literally can't work 40 hours per week without leave time.

My agency also found money until 1/25 and the rumor is they have it for the next week.

My plan includes
(1) a 0% loan from a financial institution;
(2) a 0% credit card
(3) unemployment which I have been told I will quality for.
and
(4) I have savings enough to last a while.
(5) if all else fails I can dip into my retirement.

But, I did talk to a co worker yesterday and it is depressing. She has ZERO, I mean ZERO saved. I can't help but blame her. I had at one point before this happened asked if she worried about not having any savings and she didn't.