Hitting Close To Home: What Happens If The Federal Government Partially Shuts Down?

Republican and Democratic lawmakers will -- eventually -- make a budget deal. But what could happen in the meantime? To judge by the last time, when the government closed down in 1995-1996: essential work goes on, but 'non-essential' does not. Since that overview is a little ambiguous, Patch explored possible impact on what you might need or want to do after the midnight Friday deadline.

Q: Will my Congressmember's office be open and taking phone calls or emails to let them know how I feel about this?

A: Still to be determined, but probably not. According to U.S. Sen. John Kerry's press secretary Whitney Smith, if the government shuts down, the question remains as to which staffers are considered "essential" and "non-essential;" Smith says there is a penalty fine for "non-essential" employees volunteering to continue working for no pay. Kerry's Massachusetts offices would most likely have voicemail turned on and emails would be forwarded to the Washington office, Smith said, from which emergency constituent services would be handled.

Q: The IRS: does this change my income tax-filing deadline?

A: According to USA Today, IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman told reporters at the National Press Club Wednesday that refunds could be delayed for taxpayers who file hard copy paper tax returns. But he apparently said electronically filed returns would be unaffected. He also reportedly said a shutdown of whatever length does not change the income tax deadline, which this year is April 18.

Q: My Social Security check?

A: According to About.com, last time the government shut down, current payments were unaffected, but new claims went unprocessed.

Q: How about Amtrak? I'm booked on the Acela to New York this weekend.

A: According to USA Today, despite Amtrak's $1.5 billion federal subsidy, CEO Joe Boardman told employees in a newsletter last month that it can rely on ticket revenue alone to keep going -- at least in the short haul.

Q: And the post office: will I get my mail?

A: It appears that yes is the answer: Patch found no reports of the U.S. Postal Service not delivering mail in previous government closures.

Q: Passports and visas?

A: You will still be able to pick up a passport application at your local post office; the processing of said application is less certain. According to AOL News, last time, some 200,000 U.S. passport applications went unprocessed during the shutdowns and between 20-30,000 foreign visa applications went unprocessed. So sounds like a delay is possible. But to judge by how things were handled the last time, post offices will remain open.

Q: I'm thinking of enlisting, and had planned to visit a military recruiting office over the next few days. Will it be open?

A: Most likely. A call to the Army recruiting center in Waltham was passed along to a spokesman for Army recruiting in New England, James Allard. He said they have not received instructions from Washington, but they still might.  However, he said it was highly likely stations would stay open because they are staffed by active-duty people not affected by earlier government closures.

Q: What about Patriot's Day events planned for national parks on Monday, April 20 -- will they be cancelled?

A: . Organizers working on in case of closure.

Q: How will this affect the programs for the elderly in my town?

A: According to Sherborn Council on Aging Director Karen Juhl, some of Sherborn's programs for the elderly, such as an exercise program and home meal delivery programs may be affected if the budget for BayPast Elder Services, Dover and Sherborn's area agency on aging, gets affected. BayPast gets federal funding which it filters down to area councils on aging for programs for the elderly.

However, according to, Christine Alessandro, executive director of BayPath Elder Services, "Regarding federal funding, as the area agency on aging, BayPath received funds, called Title III. It funds many things, such as Meals on Wheels, legal services for elders, and health and wellness programs at councils on aging. We were informed by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs today that there is sufficient funding available that if the government were to shut down, we could continue these vital programs for several months."

Q: How could this affect Sherborn?

A: Sherborn Board of Selectman chair Paul DeRensis said the potential shutdown should not have too much of an impact on the way the town operates. "I checked with our town accountant and our treasurer and they advise that there does not seem to be much of any impact on this fiscal year. The only things that would potentially be affected are some grants but that is a small amount and does not affect our operating budgets," said DeRensis.

Q: How long might this last?

A: About.com listed five government shutdowns since 1981, ranging from less than 24-hours (1981) to five months (November, 1995 to April, 1996). 

We'll keep adding to this story as we find out more. Meantime, let us know if you see other effects of a possible government shutdown. Tell us in the comments.