You can’t turn on the news without hearing a story, or several about the current government shutdown. Having realized that my passport was up for renewal, my first concern was “Will this affect my ability to get a new passport?” Luckily for me, the answer was no. However it left me wondering what exactly is affected by the government shutdown. Since, I feel like it is safe to assume that I am not the only person with this same question, I thought I would share the following with all of you, so you don’t have to wonder any longer what is affected by the government shutdown.
For your clients that are concerned about his/her tax returns or refunds being affected, you can find out more information in this article.
In regard to areas other than taxes, below is a synopsis followed by the opportunity to dig a bit deeper to some additional information.
What won’t be affected by the shutdown?
Flights.Air-traffic controllers and security officers still will be on the job even though the shutdown has begun.
Amtrak. The trains are run by a government-owned corporation and also will operate as usual.
The border. Customs and border agents will continue working at border crossings and ports of entry.
Social Security checks. Social Security benefits still go out.
Medicare. Like Social Security, benefits will still be provided.
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program and Women, Infants and Children. Benefits available for at least as long as some carryover money in the states or the federal accounts are available.
Smithsonian museums and zoo. They will be open every day except Christmas.
What will be affected?
State and local farm service centers. They will be closed, leaving no one to answer questions or assist farmers in signing up for programs under the Farm Bill recently approved by Congress.
National parks. Some may close, others may offer limited services. During a shutdown last January, gates at national parks remained open but few staff members were on hand. Buildings were shuttered, and sometimes that included restrooms.
Small business owners. More than 30 million small businesses will no longer have access to federally assisted loans and technical assistance since Small Business Administration guarantees to back loans will freeze.
Home buyers. Americans looking to buy a new home or refinance a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration will be put on standby.
Crime victims. Those who have been victimized in a crime won’t be able to receive money from the federal government amid the shutdown.
Food inspections. Some food safety inspections will also be delayed. The Food and Drug Administration in past government shutdowns had to delay some not non-essential inspections.
Public housing. Those with public housing could also be affected. The speed of some loans from the Federal Housing Administration was slowed along with payments to public housing agencies, according to Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif.
Violence against women. It’s not only services. Funding for the Violence Against Women Act stopped with government shutdown, according to Roll Call. The law, considered a landmark bill in 1994, expired along with funding for other government agencies.
More detailed information regarding additional workers and other areas that will be affected by the current shut down can be found by clicking here or by clicking here.