New York – As the deadline for a government shutdown approaches, gridlock in Washington continues to persist. The Senate is pushing for a bipartisan approach to keep the government open, but spending measures are facing difficulty passing in the Republican-controlled House. If a shutdown occurs, millions of federal employees will be furloughed, and some workers, such as those in the military and Transportation Security Administration, will be forced to work without pay. In addition, several federal programs that Americans depend on could be disrupted, including food assistance and customer service for Medicare and Social Security recipients. The extent of the ripple effects will depend on the duration of the shutdown and contingency plans in place at affected agencies.
“With the government shutdown looming, a majority of Americans who rely on government benefits could face significant financial uncertainty,” said Forrest V. Morgeson III, an associate professor at Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business. The economic implications could be widespread.
Here’s what you need to know about specific programs and services:
1. SNAP and WIC: A government shutdown could jeopardize access to food and nutrition assistance programs for low-income Americans. If the shutdown lasts for an extended period of time, nearly 7 million women and children who rely on WIC could lose assistance. Similarly, households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could also be at risk of losing assistance.
2. Head Start and School Lunch: Head Start programs that serve disadvantaged children could lose federal funding, impacting over 10,000 children. However, if the shutdown is short-lived, immediate closure may be avoided. Concerns have also been raised about free school meals, but the Agriculture Department does not anticipate any immediate issues with federal child nutrition programs.
3. Social Security: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients will continue to receive payments, but there could be delays in response times for inquiries due to furloughs. The issuance of new social security cards and replacements will continue.
4. Medicare and Health Services: Medicare and Medicaid benefits will continue without interruption, as these programs are funded separately from annual appropriations. However, disruptions to customer service and delays may occur. Health care services for veterans and programs funded by the Indian Health Service will also continue.
5. Flights and Travel: The nation’s air-travel system is expected to operate normally during a shutdown, although TSA lines may be longer due to furloughed screeners. Training of new air traffic controllers will stop, potentially causing further delays and cancellations. Passport and visa processing will continue as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations.
6. Student Loans: If a shutdown occurs, borrowers’ student loan payments will still be due. Loan servicers will generally continue to process payments, but there may be delays in accessing assistance from the Education Department.
7. Mail Services: The United States Postal Service will not be affected by a government shutdown, as it is funded through the sales of its products and services and not taxpayer dollars.
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