keep the federal government running. When that happens, many government functions pause, and millions of workers and services are impacted.

🔒 What shuts down?

▪️ “Non-essential” federal agencies and programs pause operations

▪️National parks, museums, and monuments may close

▪️Passport and visa processing can be delayed

▪️New applications for federal programs (like small business loans or research grants) may be halted

👷‍♀️ Who is affected?

▪️Federal employees in “non-essential” roles are furloughed (sent home without pay)

▪️Essential workers (like TSA agents, Border Patrol, air traffic controllers) must work without pay

▪️Federal contractors may also lose income during the shutdown

▪️Some services for people with disabilities, seniors, or veterans could be delayed or disrupted

💵 What stays open?

▪️Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid still operate

▪️Postal Service (USPS) continues to deliver mail

▪️Military and VA hospitals remain open

▪️Food stamps (SNAP) may continue — but future funding could be uncertain during a long shutdown

🏛️ Government Shutdown & Budget Terms – Easy Definitions

▪️Budget: A plan that tells how the government will spend money for the year.

▪️Congress: The group of elected officials in Washington, D.C. — the Senate and the House of Representatives — who make laws and approve the budget.

▪️Federal Government: The national government of the U.S. Includes big departments like Social Security, the military, and the IRS.

▪️Furlough: When a government worker is told to stay home without pay during a shutdown. They may be paid later — but not always.

▪️Essential Services: Important government jobs that must keep going during a shutdown, like emergency services, military, and air traffic control.

▪️Non-Essential Services: Government work that can be paused during a shutdown, such as museums, national parks, and some office work.

▪️Appropriations: Money set aside by Congress for specific uses. This happens once a year. The President or Congress can request it for certain needs.

▪️Temporary Funding / Continuing Resolution (CR): A short-term plan to keep the government open when the full budget isn’t ready yet. It usually lasts less than a year.

▪️Benefits: Money or help that people get from the government, like Social Security, Medicare, SNAP (food stamps), or housing support.

▪️Federal Employee: Someone who works for the U.S. government, like a postal worker, TSA agent, or park ranger.