WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Congress did not pass stopgap funding to allow federal agencies to continue operating as the legislature works on a budget by the end of the fiscal year on Tuesday, causing a government shutdown. That means some agencies will cease to operate until funding returns, including furloughing employees, or employees deemed “essential” will continue working without pay. Some agencies have enough money in their reserve budgets to remain open for now.
Here are some of the impacts in Wisconsin:
Health and Human Services
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, while not a federal agency, said it is closely monitoring federal activities.
Jennifer Miller, a communications specialist, stated in an email, “During the government shutdown, we want Wisconsinites to know:
Members of BadgerCare Plus and Wisconsin Medicaid programs will still have coverage to get the care and services they need.
Members of FoodShare are currently receiving their October benefits on their QUEST cards on the normal schedule. They can use any benefits that are on their card to buy food during a shutdown.
Even though the federal government has shut down, Wisconsin WIC is currently available. At this time, WIC members can use their benefits, attend WIC appointments, and will not need to take any action. If there are changes to the availability of WIC funding and benefits, we will let WIC members, partners, and providers know immediately.”
DHS will be providing regular updates about the shutdown to the public and appropriate partners. Additionally, it will be updating information specific to programs on the FoodShare: News and Updates and Medicaid: News for Members and WIC webpages.
NewsChannel 7 asked the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Portage County’s director, Cindy Piotrowski, about what, if any, impacts she was seeing or any things clients should expect at this time. Piotrowski said they are still getting information and do not know the full impact yet.
Veterans’ services
Many services will continue through the shutdown. Clinics will remain open and all services will remain available. Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services, and caregiver support will not see interruptions. Benefits will also continue to be processed.
Services impacted by the shutdown include career counseling, benefits regional offices will be closed, public affairs outreach will not continue, nor will there be any outreach to VA partners.
To find out about more programs and services that are or are not impacted, click here.
Mail
The U.S. Postal Service does not rely on government funding, so it is not impacted by the shutdown. It stated on its website:
“U.S. Postal Service operations will not be interrupted in the event of a government shutdown, and all Post Offices will remain open for business as usual. Because we are an independent entity that is generally funded through the sale of our products and services, and not by tax dollars, our services will not be impacted by a government shutdown.”
Emergencies and national security
NewsChannel 7 reached out to the Wisconsin Army National Guard via email, but did not receive a response. On its website, however, it has a link to guidance about government shutdown furloughs.
The U.S. Department of Defense (which the Trump Administration rebranded as the “Department of War,” though the name would need Congressional approval to stick) stated on its website that military personnel would continue normal duty status without pay during the shutdown. Civilian employees not involved in “excepted activities” would be furloughed – not working nor being paid.
National Guard members performing duties under 32 U.S.C. § 502(f), other than Active Guard Reserve personnel, “will be terminated unless such duties are in support of excepted activities,” the shutdown guidance document states. Those are National Guard members who are ordered to perform training duties.
As it pertains to severe weather and natural disasters, the National Weather Service posted this on its website:
“Due to the government shutdown, all public National Weather Service activities, including tours and other outreach activities, have been canceled or postponed until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The NWS will continue to provide critical forecast, watch and warning information to protect life and property throughout the shutdown.”
A FEMA spokesperson responded to NewsChannel 7’s inquiry with this statement:
“In Wisconsin and throughout the country, FEMA remains fully prepared and capable of responding to natural disasters, even amidst the current government shutdown. During this lapse in funding, FEMA will continue to conduct essential activities deemed necessary for the safety of human life or protection of property, such as payments to disaster survivors.
Survivors in declared counties are still able to apply for and receive assistance. FEMA will continue to process applications. Survivors can apply for disaster assistance on DisasterAssistance.gov.”
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