Transportation Security Administration officers from the country’s busiest airport are catching a break after weeks of uncertainty during a partial government shutdown.

Federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed in February, leaving TSA officers across the nation’s airports working without pay. Congress was gridlocked as they debated appropriations for ICE, and the shutdown dragged on. Lines to get through security at major airports got longer and longer, and TSA officers began calling out of work as the financial burden became too great.

In the weeks since, ICE officers were deployed to airports to help the staffing shortages, and the president passed an order to pay TSA officers while the shutdown continues. TSA officers are largely back to work as normal and they have been receiving paychecks, but backpay from prior weeks won’t come until the shutdown is over.

Now, public service officials in Georgia are trying to make sure TSA officers can keep the lights on as the shutdown has no clear end in sight.

Georgia commission stops utility cutoffs

On Monday, the Georgia Public Service Commission announced an order had been filed to “ensure TSA agents who are living in Georgia will not have their utility service cut off for nonpayment and will not pay late fees for missed utility bills until the partial government shutdown ends,” according to a news release.

The motion was approved unanimously after being put forward by Commissioner Tricia Pridemore.

“Georgia is home to the world’s busiest airport and many regional airports where TSA agents work to keep us safe,” Pridemore said in the release. “During the partial shutdown, many TSA agents are taking up second jobs driving Ubers and utilizing other gig-economy jobs just to make rent or mortgages and to put food on the table. I’m hoping this order will give them one less thing to worry about.”

How can TSA officers get support?

TSA officers can qualify for the utility protection by verifying their employment with the TSA, then making sure the balances are paid once the shutdown is over.

“Their past-due balances must be paid within 30 days after the shutdown ends and TSA agents’ back pay is restored,” according to the commission. “Although many agents received a paycheck Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has cautioned TSA agents that future pay remains in limbo as the partial government shutdown continues.”

The order only applies to utilities that fall under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Public Service Commission. This includes Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light. There are several natural gas marketers in the state, but the commission said Atlanta Gas Light is still responsible for the pipelines and connecting and disconnecting service.

“TSA officers at Hartsfield-Jackson are showing up every day to keep Georgia safe, even as they go without a paycheck,” Commissioner Peter Hubbard said. “They shouldn’t have to worry about coming home to a dark house.”

When will the shutdown be over?

It’s unclear when the partial government shutdown may come to an end as Congress appears locked in debate over funding for immigration enforcement, also under the purview of DHS.

The shutdown could end Tuesday as the House returns from a recess, and they will be back in session at noon on April 14. Voting on the funding is not currently listed on the House weekly schedule, according to reporting from USA TODAY, but it could possibly be included in a section noted “additional legislative items.”

The Senate passed a bipartisan plan to fund DHS before the House went on recess, but some conservative House members have made it clear they wouldn’t support the plan that excludes funding for immigration and border control operations.

Irene Wright is following the partial government shutdown’s impact on TSA at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Find the Atlanta Connect reporter on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.