The Impact of the U.S. Government Shutdown on California
The federal government shut down for the first time in six years late Tuesday, requiring federal agencies to stop all nonessential work.
Introduction to the Shutdown
How will the shutdown impact California? Here is what we know:
Airports and Transportation
Major California airports are not expected to see immediate interruptions in service. That’s because air traffic controllers and the Transportation Security Administration will still be on the job. But the FAA said 11,000 other employees will be furloughed, according to Reuters. Amtrak has also said train service will continue.
Veterans Services
According to the VA, medical facilities and clinics will remain open and operate normally. Burials will continue as well along with various benefits and educational programs. But some services will be impacted including:
- Transition program assistance and career counseling
- Call centers closed
- Cemetery ground maintenance
- Benefit regional offices closed
- Some outreach services.
Environment
Nearly 90% of EPA staff will be furloughed; only 1,732 of 15,166 employees will report to work, according to the agency’s most recent shutdown contingency plan, issued in September. Immediate environmental hazard work is likely to continue, but longer-term efforts such as research, permitting, writing new rules and pollution enforcement will largely freeze. Many activities will halt, including research and the publication of research results, and the issuance of new grants, contracts and permits, according to the agency. Critically, civil enforcement inspections — on-site visits to facilities to check their compliance with environmental regulations — will also cease. Whether cleanup work at hazardous waste areas known as Superfund sites will continue will be decided case by case.
Social Security and Other Benefits
Social Security and other key benefits will continue to be paid. But the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare offered some caveats: “Customer service at the Social Security Administration (SSA) may be disrupted, including benefit verifications, earnings record corrections and updates, overpayments processing, and replacing Medicare cards,” it said in a statement. “The level of disruption will depend on how many SSA employees the Trump administration deems ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’ during the shutdown. Because the administration already has brutally reduced SSA’s workforce, it’s likely that many remaining staffers will be classified as ‘essential,’ but we cannot be sure.” The government has enough money to fund Medicaid for the first quarter of the next fiscal year, AP reported.
Don’t worry, your postal carrier is still on the job. “U.S. Postal Service operations will not be interrupted in the event of a government shutdown, and all Post Offices will remain open for business as usual. Because we are an independent entity that is generally funded through the sale of our products and services, and not by tax dollars, our services will not be impacted by a government shutdown,” the agency said.
Student Loans/Education
According to the U.S. Department of Education, student loans will still be disbursed and loans will still be collected as usual. Pell Grants and Free Application for Federal Student Aid will also continue. Title I money distribution will also continue. But according to AP, the agency will stop some grant making for local schools as well as civil rights investigations. It might take some time for these changes to take effect. A long shutdown could cause more impacts.
Conclusion
The U.S. government shutdown will have various impacts on California, ranging from minimal disruptions in airports and mail services to more significant effects on environmental protection, veterans services, and social security benefits. While essential services will continue, the shutdown may cause delays and disruptions in various areas, including student loans and education.
FAQs
Q: Will California airports be affected by the shutdown?
A: No, major California airports are not expected to see immediate interruptions in service.
Q: Will Social Security benefits continue to be paid?
A: Yes, Social Security and other key benefits will continue to be paid, but customer service may be disrupted.
Q: Will the mail service be interrupted?
A: No, the U.S. Postal Service operations will not be interrupted, and all Post Offices will remain open for business as usual.
Q: How will the shutdown affect student loans?
A: Student loans will still be disbursed and loans will still be collected as usual, but some grant making for local schools and civil rights investigations may be stopped.
Q: How long will the shutdown last?
A: The duration of the shutdown is uncertain and may depend on various factors, including negotiations between the government and lawmakers.
