if government shuts down who is affected

A government shutdown affects several groups and services. Federal employees in nonessential positions are furloughed and do not receive pay until funding resumes, while essential workers continue working without pay until the shutdown ends. Government contractors and businesses relying on federal contracts can also be affected, sometimes facing financial difficulties. Services that are generally impacted include passport processing delays, suspension of national park maintenance and inspections, delays in IRS operations, and interruptions in food safety inspections. Essential services related to public safety, such as law enforcement, border protection, and air traffic control, continue to operate. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits usually continue during a shutdown since they are funded by permanent appropriations. However, some programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may face funding challenges in prolonged shutdowns. The economy as a whole can be affected, with estimates of GDP losses in past shutdowns reaching billions of dollars.