warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

11 Reasons You Won't Know Your Government Shut Down

Syuzanna Petrosyan |
September 30, 2013 | 4:26 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

 

(via Flickr)
(via Flickr)
The government is a few hours away from shutting down and instead of making a deal, it seems that they are still heavily focused on the blame-game. 

So how will a complete federal shutdown, which means that the government is not allowed to spend any money, affect the average citizen. 

Surprisingly, not so much - unless you were planning a camping trip to a national park (which you should cancel) or you were planning to apply for a passport (you should run to get an application now). Also, if you are wondering which Washington Museums will be closed, just keep in mind that if it's usually free, it's probably closed.

Here are 11 reasons why you wouldn't feel any effects of this crisis which has only happened 17 times in U.S. history.

1. You will still get your mail! Although part of the federal government, the U.S. Postal Service functions as an independent business unit.

2. The IRS will continue to collect taxes and answer phone calls at the same waiting time. 

3. Federal food and safety inspections will still continue, most of them at least. The Food Safety and Inspection Service would continue all safety-related activities. The Food and Drug Administration would limit its activities but continue to monitor recalls and conduct investigations.

4. Seniors will continue to get Social Security Benefits as social security is a mandatory spending program. However, you will not be able to get a new replacement card or a benefit verification statement. 

5. Patent and Trademark Office will be open. The office can continue to operate off user fees and other funds for at least four weeks before having to shut down. 

6. The District of Columbia will not shut down. During the 1990s shutdowns, trash went uncollected and many city departments closed. Now, however, Mayor Vincent Gray has informed the Office of Management and Budget that he has deemed all city employees "essential." The district's own attorney general has declared the mayor's plan illegal.

7. Wage and hour laws will still be enforced by the government. Although the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division would suspend operations, the laws will still be in effect.

8. Disaster response will not be affected. However, all 'non-disaster' grants, such as state and local preparedness programs, would be postponed.

9. Most Federal school lunch programs are expected to continue to provide meals through October.

10. You may still be able to get a federally backed loan. Although, federal loans for rural communities, small business owners, families buying a home will be frozen, said President Obama. 

11. You will continue to receive unemployment benefits, according to the Department of Labor. 

So, unless you need to correct a record on your social security plan, contact the Food and Drug Administration, or happen to work for the federal government (in which case you may be put on temporary leave without pay or work with a delayed paycheck), then you should be able to successfully get through the 18th shutdown in U.S. history. 

Reach Executive Producer Syuzanna Petrosyan hereFollow her on Twitter. 



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.