The impact of the federal government shutdown

As the federal government shutdown continued into a third day Monday, here’s how key agencies were impacted:

POST OFFICES

Post offices remain open during the shutdown, as the organization gets its funding from independent sources of revenue.

NATIONAL PARKS

It varies. Some National Parks remained open because they are privately operated while others were closed. Some, like Yosemite National Park in California, shut down nonessential functions but the gates remained open, as did its restaurants, retail outlets and some other tourism services. In New York, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island reopened Monday at a cost of $65,000 a day for the state, the governor’s office said.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration workers who screen passengers and other transportation safety work continues. Employees were still carrying out food inspections and oversight of hazardous materials. Background checks for gun purchases continue. But many other functions of these agencies are suspended, such as processing of permits for alcohol, tobacco and explosives.

NATIONAL SECURITY

The military continues to operate, including at home and around the world. Other essentials also have continued: border patrols; protection of federal lands and property; law enforcement, and guarding federal prisons.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Social Security checks continue to be sent out. Social Security offices on Long Island are open.

MEDICARE AND MEDICAID

Payments to doctors and hospitals under the health care programs for senior citizens and lower-income residents continue.

HEALTH CARE

Already funded research continues, and Veterans Affairs hospitals are open. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to operate but with minimal support and “significantly reduced capacity” to respond to outbreaks, process lab results and maintain the emergency operations center, according to the Department of Health and Human Services website.

SOCIAL SAFETY NET

Many social welfare programs have continued operation, including food stamps, aid to families and children, Head Start programs, assistance for the elderly and disabled, and subsidies for housing.

VISAS AND PASSPORTS

The State Department continues to process applications for visas and passports, either for U.S. citizens or foreigners, because the services are paid for by fees, not tax dollars.

COURTS

Federal courts continue to operate, based on funds the judicial system has collected from previous years and fees it charges. All employees were expected to report to work Monday. There is enough money for the judiciary system to continue paid operations for three more weeks.— with Ethan Marshall