Now into its second week, the US government shutdown has started impacting federal workers, prompting some to take out new loans to help make ends meet.

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been furloughed since the shutdown began on October 1, while others deemed essential – including some military personnel – have been required to turn up to work without receiving a paycheck.

“We kind of feel like we’re like a bargaining chip to an extent,” a long-serving US Air Force employee told AFP. “We’re not getting paid because people in D.C. who are getting paid can’t get on the same page.”