During a federal government shutdown, various programs and services are affected differently based on their funding sources and essential status. Here's an overview of the impacts across different areas: ### Essential Services - **Homeland Security:** Employees in critical roles like TSA agents continue working without pay. - **Health and Safety:** Services related to health, safety, and national security remain operational. ### National Parks and Recreation - Many national parks close or limit services due to furloughs. Local governments and nonprofits sometimes step in to keep popular sites open during peak seasons. ### Federal Employee Assistance - Furloughed employees may apply for unemployment benefits through state programs but will need to repay these once back pay is received. ### Food Assistance Programs - **SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program):** In the short term, states can use their reserves or seek temporary funding. However, continued federal funding gaps require state intervention. - **WIC (Women, Infants, and Children):** States may cover some costs temporarily through local funds or partnerships. ### Federal Agencies - Non-essential services and operations in agencies like the USDA are paused. This affects programs such as crop reports crucial for agriculture. - Essential functions like food inspection continue with reduced staff. ### Transportation and Infrastructure - Air traffic controllers remain on duty without pay, which could lead to flight delays if shortages occur due to sick calls or stress from unpaid work. - Customs inspections may slow down at ports of entry, affecting trade flow. ### Legal and Financial Services - Passport processing is delayed, causing issues for travel plans. - IRS operations are limited, impacting tax services and refunds. ### Military and Veterans Affairs - Active-duty military continue their duties without pay during shutdowns. Non-critical activities may be delayed. - VA hospitals remain open but might see reduced services or delays in non-emergency care. ### Specific State Impacts - States like New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Texas have initiatives to support federal employees through short-term loans or unemployment benefits. - Some states manage to keep essential programs running temporarily using state funds or creative solutions by partnering with local entities. Overall, a government shutdown leads to significant disruptions across various sectors, especially affecting individuals dependent on federal services. The impacts vary widely depending on the duration of the shutdown and the ability of states to provide temporary assistance.