How would a government shutdown affect the lives of ordinary Americans? Some benefits, such as Social Security and those for veterans, will remain unhindered. But other services, such as assistance with the IRS or access to national parks, are being discontinued.
Federal employees deemed essential must work without pay while the rest are furloughed.
Here’s a look at different facets of the federal government and what will happen when the government closes at midnight on Sunday.
Air traffic controllers and TSA
Federal air traffic controllers would work without pay, as would transportation security officers.
Campaign finance
The Federal Election Commission would collect data but would not update its website during a shutdown. According to the agency’s emergency plan, “virtually all of the agency’s core functions” will be halted, including enforcing federal election campaign laws, releasing data to the public and more.
COVID response
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response under Health and Human Services will “maintain minimum preparedness for all hazards, including COVID-19, pandemic influenza and hurricane response.”
Disaster recovery
Long-term recovery projects could be delayed, the White House said.
Agricultural loans
Farmers will not be able to obtain marketing credits from local Agriculture Department offices if they want to market their crops, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters on Sept. 25.
head Start
During a closure, Head Start programs lose funding and grants cannot be awarded.
Homeland Security
Nearly three-quarters of Department of Homeland Security employees would work without pay, including those who secure the country’s borders, “process, detain and deport” people entering the U.S. illegally, seize illegal drugs and more.
IRS
Two-thirds of staff will be furloughed, meaning audits, tax return review, non-automated collections, taxpayer customer service outside of filing deadlines and more will not take place. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) will not help taxpayers until the shutdown ends.
Prosecution
Many federal police employees work without pay.
post
The US Postal Service is not affected.
Medical research
The National Institutes of Health would not be able to start new clinical trials.
Medicare and Medicaid
Benefits will continue to be available, but new applicants may experience service interruptions. Medicaid will continue as long as the closure does not extend beyond the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, which begins Oct. 1.
Military
Both active-duty military personnel and civilian employees deemed essential to national security would work without pay. Other civilian defense employees would be furloughed.
National Parks
National Park Service units “will be completely closed to public access,” the Interior Department said Friday, and staff have been furloughed. The public would potentially be able to access websites on Sunday, and those websites would be closed on Monday. Arizona and Utah may pay the federal government to keep their states’ national parks open, including Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef and Canyonlands.
Small Business Loans
The Small Business Administration would stop processing new loans and applications would not be processed during a shutdown.
Smithsonian Museums, National Zoo
The cultural institutions on the Mall in Washington and the National Zoo will be closed in the event of a closure.
SNAP and WIC benefits
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday that millions of Americans who rely on assistance from WIC – also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children – would face a “denial of these benefits and opportunities” in the event of a shutdown. have to calculate.
Social Security
Benefits will continue to be paid, but applications may be paused.
Student loans
Student loan processing, FAFSAs processing, and distribution of Pell Grants and Federal Direct student loans should continue, but disruptions may occur.
VA benefits
No Impact on VA Health Care, Veteran Burials in National Cemeteries. But career counseling, transition assistance and cemetery maintenance would not be available.
Workplace inspections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration could limit inspections of workplaces during a shutdown.
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