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Government shutdown 101: 12 ways it could affect you

With Congress failing to fund the federal government by Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year, the government has gone into partial shutdown. Some government functions 鈥� those deemed essential 鈥� are continuing as usual, while others are suspended. More than 800,000 of about 2.9 million federal employees are likely to be furloughed, according to media estimates.

Here is a list of what's open, and what isn't, during the shutdown (with updates made on Oct. 1).

Lucas Jackson/Reuters/File
A federal employee holds up a sign protesting the effects of sequestration in May. Federal workers are now getting hit by a government shutdown.

1. What happens to national defense?

Yuri Gripas/Reuters/File
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel addressed employees' concerns about budget-cutting furloughs at a town hall meeting in Alexandria, Va., in May. Civilian workers are now facing more furloughs.

As with all government agencies, essential services continue to be performed, as determined by the heads of the agencies.

鈥淢ilitary personnel would continue in a normal duty status,鈥� a Department of Defense memo stated Sept. 23, adding that a 鈥渓arge number鈥� of the Department of Defense鈥檚 civilian employees would still be temporarily furloughed.

Two types of Defense employees escape furlough: one, if they are 鈥減erforming emergency work involving the safety of human life or the protection of property鈥�; and two, those whose jobs are not funded by Congress via annual appropriations. All others face a furlough, which bars them from working, including as a volunteer.

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