LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The federal government is now shut down after the Senate failed to reach a deal on funding legislation.
While the average length of government shutdowns, looking back to the 1970s, is eight days, the last shutdown from 2018 to 2019 lasted 35 days.
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This comes as Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a deal and the clock ran out on the government's funding.
With no clear timeline of how long this shutdown will last, we want to answer some questions you may have as to how all this affects you.
Medicare and Medicaid programs and services will also continue uninterrupted, though staffing shortages could mean delays for some services, like the mailing of Medicare cards. The government has enough money to fund Medicaid for the first quarter of the next fiscal year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. This is likely the same case for those receiving Social Security benefits.
Federal employees and military personnel will receive back pay when the government reopens, as required by a 2019 law, but federal contractors may not be paid at all.
Most Veterans Affairs programs will continue despite the shutdown. That includes medical care, veteran benefits and Veterans Experience Office call center operations.
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Employees with the Transportation Security Administration are classified as essential, meaning airport operations are continuing. However, a spokesperson for Harry Reid International Airport told Channel 13 they encourage travelers to allow additional time to get to the airport before their flights.
"Approximately 61,000 of the agency’s 64,000 employees are considered excepted or exempt and TSA will continue operations to keep the travelling public safe. The remaining employees will be temporarily furloughed.
"While TSA is prepared to continue screening about 2.5M passengers a day, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports. We kindly ask for our passengers’ patience during this time. Despite this challenge, we will remain vigilant and focused on performing our vital security mission on behalf of the American people.”
Channel 13 talked to travelers at Harry Reid Airport who expressed some concerns.
"Well, we were concerned about that, yes. But at my age I've lived through quite a few of them,” said George Gasparich, who was traveling to Las Vegas on Wednesday.
"I know that TSA is working without pay so that was a little bit scary, especially going through with a child but thankfully it was a easy process. I feel for everybody and their families and I hope that everything gets resolved sooner rather than later,” said Jacobi Clarke, who traveled back to Las Vegas on Wednesday.
"No one wants to work for free; having gone through that myself for many years, I feel for them," said traveler Angela Brown, who previously worked for the federal government in the Army.
"After working 35 years, we've had several furloughs. Even though we were sent home and told we weren't going to get paid, we actually do get paid. So them shutting down the federal government and later on getting paid for it is just a regular occurrence, it's nothing new," she added.
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The Department of the Interior, which manages the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, has said that some services may be limited or unavailable but that national parks remain "as accessible as possible" during the shutdown.
VIDEO | Guy Tannenbaum tells you how the shutdown affects federal workers in Southern Nevada
The Clark County School District told Channel 13 on Wednesday that while officials do not anticipate a major impact to programs and staff during the shutdown, CCSD jobs funded by federal dollars could be at risk if federal funds are frozen for a long period of time.
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.
Federal courts will continue to operate through October 17, according to the Judiciary's website.
Nevada WIC is currently operating normally, but funding to maintain the program and benefits hasn't been received since the shutdown.
WATCH | Jhovani Carrillo spoke to some locals who rely on the program to hear their concerns:
On Oct. 1, Gov. Joe Lombardo said his office is working to assess the impacts of the shutdown on Nevada, but the state government itself is not shut down and remains operational.
"Public safety and emergency services will not experience disruption. Furthermore, Social Security benefits, regular unemployment benefits, road projects and maintenance, and Medicare and Medicaid benefits will continue without interruption. At this time, there is no impact to SNAP benefits."
When November hits, the government will have been shut down for an entire month, and that will have an effect on SNAP beneficiaries.
State leaders have opened up contingency funds to support nearly 500,000 Nevadans relying on SNAP. We have a breakdown of those resources at the link here.
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Utility assistance through NV Energy is also available for federal workers impacted by the shutdown. NV Energy said they can help those impacted through payment plans, waived late fees and other programs. Customer service call centers are open 24/7:
- Southern Nevada Branch: (702) 402-5555
- Northern Nevada Branch: (775) 834-4444
Customers can also visit the Assistance Programs page on NV Energy's website to learn more about convenient payment and assistance programs.
Nevada WIC officials have shared a list of food assistance programs available statewide if the government shutdown impacts benefits.
Verizon is offering assistance for impacted federal workers, too. The company is offering flexible payment arrangements and deferrals for the U.S. Military, Coast Guard, first responders and federal employees affected by the shutdown. To see your options, call them at 1-800-Verizon.
Clark County officials opened a food pantry for impacted federal aviation workers at Harry Reid International Airport.
The NAACP Las Vegas branch has announced the launch of a fund to provide direct assistance to NAACP members impacted by government shutdowns and furloughs.
The program will offer $300 in emergency grants to help when paychecks and food subsidies are delayed.
You can apply at naacplasvegas.org/fund. Applicants need verification of federal employment and proof of financial impact. For more information, you can visit their website here.
Impacted federal employees may also be eligible for unemployment benefits.