INFORMATION ALERT: Potential Government Shutdown
Potential Government Shutdown: Information and Resources
With a government shutdown looming, we've created this information and resource page. We want the 9th District to have an idea of what to expect and to help you and your family if the government shuts down. If Congress cannot agree on or pass a budget for the remaining 2011 fiscal year, the government will shut down Friday, April 8, 2011 at midnight.
How Does the Shutdown Affect You?
Services will continue that are deemed essential for the safety of human life and the protection of property. This includes the armed forces, border patrol, police, fire fighting and federal workers who provide medical care on the job. The Postal Service and the Federal Reserve, which are both self-funded, will also continue to operate.
If a shutdown happens, the government temporarily stops all "non-essential" services. However, "essential services" will continue to operate, such as those listed above. Other federal agencies may cut their services to a bare minimum, andare determining which of their services fall under these rules.
- IRS—Tax forms still need to be postmarked by Monday, April 18 (Patriots Day is not a federal holiday and you can no longer send forms to the IRS for processing). Electronic tax returns should be processed, but paper returns will not be, leading to a delay in getting your refund.
- Social Security—Benefits for this crucial program do not go through the appropriations process, so they should continue being deposited in your account or mailed to your home. However, staff cuts may delay other services such as enrolling new participants, holding hearings, or resolving problems.
- Medicare—Benefits for this program are also exempt from the shutdown, so current participants should not notice any disruption, but new applications could be delayed.
- Veterans—VHA hospitals such as VA Puget Sound Health Care System and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics will stay open, and VBA disability compensation will be paid. While VA hospitals will remain open, the last government shutdown saw many veterans' benefits cut or reduced.
- Visas and Passports—Prior shutdowns have kept new visa and passport applications from being processed. Embassies will remain open for services for American citizens, but will not conduct visa interviews.
- National Parks—National Park Service grounds, museums, and monuments will close, disrupting educational visits and vacation plans.
- Unemployment—If the shutdown continued for an extended period, the federal funds that help states pay the costs of their unemployment programs could run out, which would require the state to step in and advance the money to keep their programs running. Otherwise, benefits would be reduced or stopped.
- Federal Courts—Federal courts are not affected by the shutdown and remain open.
- Disaster Response—Disaster Response is not affected by the shutdown.
How Does the Shutdown Affect Government Workers?
According to Federal Computer Week, there are two types of shutdowns—“soft" and "hard." A "soft" shutdown would require federal employees to come to work, but are not allowed to do anything "productive," which is essentially anything to carry out the central duties of the agency. A "hard" shutdown means that employees are furloughed from work and only a few exempt employees come into work. The "soft" shutdown only occurs if the President believes there's a chance for rapid compromises with Congress.
Most non-essential government employees will be furloughed from their jobs, only a few exempt employees will be allowed to come into work. Federal employees who are furloughed will not receive pay. Additionally, federal contractors will not be paid during this time and will not be eligible for back pay. Even if you want to work unpaid, federal law prohibits the government from accepting volunteer work.
Related Websites & Articles
- Congressional Research Service - "Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes and Effects"
Office Hours
Our Washington, D.C. and district offices will maintain normal operating hours. You can get more information by calling either of these offices:
- Washington, D.C.Office: (202) 225-2661
- District Office: (510) 763-6538