Attorneys for Federal Employees — Nationwide

Nearly 200,000 federal workers and supporters follow our updates across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Each briefing gives you the three stories that actually matter to your job, plain‑English legal guidance, and one short practice to protect your peace of mind. If it helps you, forward it to a colleague—new readers can subscribe at https://fedlegalhelp.com/newsletter. 

Today at a Glance

• DHS delayed pay during a funding lapse: How to protect your timecard, status, and records while you keep working.
• NIH expands AI pilots while staffing drops: Don’t let “new tools” become unfair standards without training and clear rules.
• Retirement timing reality check: Run the numbers early so you’re not forced into a rushed decision later.

Top Stories:

1. DHS Employees Brace for More Delayed Pay During a Funding Lapse

Source: Government Executive — Feb 20, 2026

TL;DR: A DHS funding lapse starting Feb. 14 has many employees still working, but pay is delayed until funding is restored. Some employees are taking voluntary furlough days to reduce costs, and the situation is straining morale and operations.

For federal employees, this means:

• Your paycheck timing may change even if you are still required to work.
• Your time and attendance (T&A) status matters—small errors can create big pay problems later.
• You should follow your component’s shutdown guidance and keep proof of every instruction you receive.

Legal Insight:
Shutdown rules come from appropriations law (including the Antideficiency Act framework) and your agency’s shutdown plan, which sets who is “excepted” and how time is recorded. Save screenshots or PDFs of official status notices, supervisor instructions, and your timecard entries. If you take voluntary furlough days or leave, confirm the exact status category in writing so it does not get coded incorrectly later. Because deadlines can be short, consider talking with your union and a qualified federal employment attorney if shutdown rules start creating discipline risk, mis-coded absences, or retaliation concerns tied to protected activity.

2. NIH Expands AI Pilots Amid Staffing Reductions

Source: Federal News Network — Feb 19, 2026

TL;DR: NIH is expanding AI pilots and adding more AI use cases while also dealing with staffing reductions and reorganization. The push is partly about maintaining output with fewer people, and many projects are still in pilot mode.

For federal employees, this means:

• Agencies may expect “more output” because of AI, even if staffing is down.
• You may be judged by new informal standards (speed, volume, error rate) before they are written down.
• You should ask for training, the rules for using the tools, and who is accountable for mistakes.

Legal Insight:
AI rollouts can quietly change expectations before performance plans catch up. Protect yourself by asking for written guidance: what tool you must use, what it can and cannot do, and what “good work” looks like with the tool. Keep records of training you received (or did not receive) and document when tool limits or staffing shortages affect your work. If the tool touches sensitive data, follow agency policy and keep proof of approvals and proper handling. Because deadlines can be short, consider talking with your union and a qualified federal employment attorney if AI-driven expectations are being used to justify discipline, a performance-based action, or a forced reassignment.

3. Federal Workers Delay Retirement as Savings Gaps Persist

Source: Government Executive — Feb 19, 2026

TL;DR: A survey suggests many workers expect to retire later and often do not plan for healthcare costs or monthly income needs. The story stresses that federal retirement is a three-part system—FERS pension, Social Security, and TSP—and you need real numbers, not guesses.

For federal employees, this means:

• Retirement timing should be based on estimates you can verify (not assumptions).
• Healthcare costs and FEHB planning are a major part of the decision.
• Big agency changes (reorgs, relocations, incentives) can force a faster decision—so plan early.

Legal Insight:
Retirement choices can become urgent when agencies roll out reorganizations, relocations, or separation incentives. Keep a clean file with your SF-50s, service history, military deposit records (if any), and written retirement counseling materials. If stress, accommodation issues, or an adverse action is pushing you toward retirement, document the “why” carefully and do not rush without understanding the consequences for FEHB, survivor benefits, and income timing. Because deadlines can be short, consider talking with your union and a qualified federal employment attorney if retirement is being pressured by management actions or you are facing a fixed acceptance window.

Mindful Moment of the Day

Waiting on Approvals Without Losing Your Mind 

Federal life often means watching your work sit in someone else’s queue for days or weeks. When you catch yourself checking the status for the tenth time, pause, feel your feet on the floor, and take five slow breaths while you say, “It’s in their court right now.” Then deliberately shift your attention to a task that is fully in your control, even if it’s small, and give it your full focus for the next 20 minutes. That way, your peace is tied less to other people’s response times and more to the progress you can actually make today. 

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