How will a federal government shutdown affect you?

There is looming discussion of a federal government shutdown, anticipated on Sunday morning, if Congress does not pass the necessary spending legislation by Oct. 1, the start of the federal fiscal year.

A shutdown will cut the pay of federal employees and some federal benefits. Programs including Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children, providing supplemental food, health care and nutrition education grants for new and soon-to-be mothers and children could face delays.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program could be affected as well, if the country faces a longer shutdown period.

Section 8 housing vouchers may face delays and changes, harmful to low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities, as could veteran support, including disability compensation and transition assistance.

Farmer loans and business owner loans could see delays, as well. CNBC also reported that delays could be seen in federal flood insurance requirements for those purchasing property.

Government departments and agencies, such as the Department of Education, Department of Veterans Affairs, Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration will have employees on furlough during the shutdown.

Traveling may become more time consuming as well with pay cuts to Transportation Security Administration employees and air traffic controllers, who may opt against coming in, despite their essential worker status.

The United States Postal Service along with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services will not be affected as they are self-funding.

Federal employees working on a two-week pay cycle ending Saturday are expecting checks about a week after the last day of work within the cycle, according to the Washington Post. If the shutdown were to go on, there might be no impact on pay if it ends within the next designated payroll cycle.

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who represents the  4th Congressional District, which includes the Five Towns, is against the potential shutdown.

“I remain vehemently opposed to a government shutdown and outright reject the unproductive ground standing on display by certain members of Congress who seem unwilling to negotiate in good faith on this important issue,” D’Esposito said in a news release.

He said he is working with Congressional colleagues in both parties to continue funding governmental services.

“I am willing to work with any member of Congress from either part in order to avert a damaging shutdown,” he added.