The federal government is shut down as of midnight Tuesday, furloughing 800,000 government employees, after Congress could not come to an agreement on a new budget.

Escambia County Administrator Tony Sanks said the shutdown should likely not have an immediate effect on the county.

“But the longer it lasts, the more likely it is to start to be felt locally,” he said. “We really don’t receive any funds directly from the federal government — some funds such as transportation go from the federal level to the state and then to us. If the shutdown lasts long enough, the state could get to a point that they didn’t have adequate federal funds to pass on to local governments, but I think that would take a while.”

What does the shutdown mean for you?

 

What works:

• The U.S. Postal Service still works, since it gets no taxpayer money.

• Social Security checks still go out.

• The military works, and they will get paid after an emergency bill was passed late Monday night.

• You have to pay your taxes, but the IRS isn’t working, so you won’t be audited, and they won’t be able to answer any questions.

• Federal courthouses stay open, for about 10 days.

• Federal prisons continue to operate.

• Veterans’ services continue to operate.

 

What might not work:

• The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) shuts down, so gun permits might not be processed.

• Federal loans for housing could be delayed.

• Most federal employees could be furloughed.

• National parks and museums could be closed.

• The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program could be affected.