22 Ways Government Shutdown Will Ruin Your Life

For the first time since 1997, the U.S. government has shut down. This happens when Congress fails to pass authorization to sufficiently fund local and federal government operations. During a shutdown, the government will usually stop providing all services except those that are deemed “essential”.

Here are 22 ways that the government shutdown will affect your life:
#1 – If you get the flu: During a shutdown, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will not be receiving funding to support its annual flu vaccination program.
#2 – No pay for military personnel: Members of the armed forces (Army, Navy, Marines, etc) will have their paychecks put on hold while they continue to work.
#3 – Little assistance for troubled boaters: The Coast Guard will cut back on routine patrols and navigation assistance if you have trouble while on the water.
#4 – Delayed death benefits: Families of soldiers killed in action will have their death benefits delayed.
#5 – Delayed applications for gun permits: Applications for gun permits will likely be delayed due to furloughs at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
#6 – Delayed passport and visa applications: The processing of passport and visa applications will be delayed at the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.
#7 – National parks closed: All 400+ national parks around the country will be closed. People temporarily or permanently living in national parks and forests will have to relocate.
#8 – Delayed small business loan applications: Due to reduced staff, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be processing and approving applications at a much smaller pace.
#9 – Problems with employment verification: During a shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify program will be offline.
#10 – Mortgage application problems: The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the USDA won’t guarantee new loans.
#11 – National museums closed: Most government-funded museums, including all Smithsonian Institution museums in Washington, DC, will be closed.
#12 – No pesticide regulation: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will shut down.
#13 – Veterans’ pensions will run out: The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will run out of funding for regular payment checks after a few weeks.
#14 – No more food assistance: The USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will no longer issue payments to needy families.
#15 – No automobile recall inspections: The Dept of Transportation (DOT) says routine defects and recall information from manufacturers and consumers would not be reviewed.
#16 – Reduced food and drug safety research: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will reduce their staff by up to 50%.
#17 – No energy assistance: If it continues through the winter, people without heat will have trouble receiving assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
#18 – Reduced consumer protection: The Futures Trading Commission (FTC) will greatly reduce it’s staff and maintain only a bare minimum level of oversight and surveillance to stop fraudulent practices.
#19 – No tax services: The IRS will shut down its tax hotline, and will stop processing tax payments.
#20 – College funding cutbacks: Students applying for Pell grants and student loans will experience delays from the Dept of Education.
#21 – Reduced welfare assistance: Financial assistance for needy families will be discontinued. However, some individual states may help out.
#22 – No head start for Head Start: The pre-K child development program will stop giving out new grants. •