With Congress not able to reach a consensus on an appropriate budget federal agencies are in the process of ready for a government shutdown that could be in place on Sunday, October. 1.
Here are five things you need to be aware of:
A few Alaskans may not get their pay.
Alaska hosts approximately 15,000 federal employees who are civilians. They’re affected in a different way in relation to the work they hold and how their organizations are funded.
Essential workers, such as air traffic controllers as well as FBI agents would be employed but would not receive pay till the impasse has been settled. Others would be laid off. They’d receive backpay if Congress approves a bill that will start the government.
What do you think of the military?
Service members also have to stay at work. A bill that is pending in Congress will continue to send checks to members of active duty including civilian base employees along with Defense contractors. If the bill is approved then coast guard personnel and contractors would be paid. Coast Guard would also get paid during the government shutdown.
Certain services will continue to be provided
The shutdown would only affect agencies that are dependent upon annual bills for appropriations which amounts to approximately 1/3 of the federal budget. U.S. Mail service would remain unaffected. Social Security checks will still be received. In addition, Alaska Native Medical Center will continue to provide services. Alaska Native Medical Center will offer services in the same way as they normally do.
What do you think of public assistance programs as well as Head Start?
These are federally funded programs that are run by the state as well as non-profit organizations. They’ll be in effect for until the shutdown doesn’t last longer than one month.
The state states that SNAP benefits (formerly called Food Stamps) can be paid out until at least October. WIC (nutrition support provided to Women, Infants and Children) will be funded until December.
The majority of Head Start programs in Alaska have had their grant for this year. They are all funded until at the latest in October.
We’ve been here before.
If Congress fails to pass any the new bills for spending, this will begin the 15th shutdown in the year 1980. The majority of shutdowns last between one and three days. The most recent one, in the period of 2018-19, lasted 34 days.
