A government shutdown begins
The federal government officially shut down on Wednesday when lawmakers were unable to pass a bill to pay for it by the deadline. This is when federal agencies have no funds to run normally, and many government workers are sent home without pay or forced to work for a short time without pay.
Shutdowns affect millions of Americans in many aspects, from postponed air travel to federal benefits. Here’s what you need to know about how this ongoing shutdown influences daily life.
Federal employees: Paid later, just not today
The vast majority of federal employees won’t get paid in the event of a shutdown. Essential workers—such as air traffic controllers, border patrol agents, and some health workers—will be required to come in to work but won’t be paid until the shutdown ends.
Non-essential workers are “furloughed,” meaning they stay home and also don’t get paid until the government is reopened again. By law, both eventually get back pay.
Meanwhile, Congress members and the president continue to receive their pay since their compensation is constitutionally guaranteed.
Military and veterans services
Most military operations continue to function even in a shutdown. Active-duty soldiers, sailors, and airmen must stay on duty, but their paycheck is delayed. New training or routine orders can be suspended unless they are considered an issue of national security.
The Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that most of its workers will remain employed, but some local offices may be closed. Some non-emergency services, such as engraving permanent headstones in cemeteries, may come to a halt. Families who are waiting for some veteran benefits may be slowed.
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Air travel and flight safety
Air travel does not stop under shutdown, but it may be more stressful. Over 13,000 air traffic controllers will continue working to get planes to a safe position, but they will not be paid until the government is funded once again.
New controllers’ onboarding and some safety training programs are suspended, which experts say could affect safety if the shutdown is long enough. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association warned that shutdowns “erode safety and efficiency” in American airspace.
Other non-discretionary activities — airport facility inspections or staffing — are also suspended. Travelers themselves may not necessarily feel an immediate difference, but the longer the shutdown continues, the more delays and safety issues are likely to emerge.
Social security checks continue to flow
Some good news: Social Security checks will continue to be mailed. Social Security payments are considered “mandatory spending,” and that means they are not dependent on Congress passing a new spending bill.
Nevertheless, the Social Security Administration may be short-staffed, so it could take more time to process new claims or return phone calls. Disabled and retired people do not need to worry about receiving their October payments late.
SNAP and Other Benefit Programs
Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps millions of families buy groceries, can start experiencing disruptions if the shutdown drags on. There would still be immediate payments, but states might see a delay in federal assistance for money in the long term.
Most families are concerned about when the shutdown will end.
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Health and food safety
The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) expects to furlough about 40% of its staff. However, essential health services will remain in place, including pandemic response, flu surveillance, and hurricane relief.
The National Institutes of Health will keep treating current patients but will not accept new ones unless absolutely necessary. Research grants and hospital and university contracts are suspended.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will keep reviewing medicine and handling important recalls. But some food safety programs — like monitoring new ingredients fed to livestock — will halt. This will eventually affect meat, milk, and egg safety.
What it means for daily life
In Brief:
- Federal workers won’t get their paychecks until the shutdown ends.
- Militaries and veterans will keep serving but will receive delayed paychecks.
- Flight service continues, albeit with fewer safety personnel and training programs.
- Social Security benefits are paid out normally.
- SNAP food safety programs may get pinched if the shutdown persists for an extended period of time.
While shutdowns often do ultimately conclude with some Congressional accord, the longer they do, the more far-reaching the effect is to families, workers, and tourists across the country.
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