[U]p to 1 million contractors have found themselves in a state of financial limbo as the government reopens its doors this week. None of these employees — who range from security guards... to janitors... to analysts with other government agencies — are guaranteed any back pay despite involuntarily losing their paychecks. These employees have not received back pay historically, as their paychecks come from the third-party agencies that employ them and not the government itself... Contractors who spoke with MONEY since the shutdown came to a close last week say they applied for unemployment and food stamps, took out loans, and dipped into any savings they did have to make ends meet, on top of other personal and financial sacrifices. 

Now, federal contractors are fighting for that back pay. A number of federal workers, predominantly those represented by the Service Employees International Union, plan to visit the Capitol on Tuesday to meet with members of Congress about using legislation to compensate these workers.