As we return home and to work following Christmas, some might wonder what federal agencies are currently affected by the partial government shutdown.

Due to the lapse of government funding, some U.S. Department of Agriculture activities are shutdown or significantly reduced. Several activities will continue through the shutdown, such as meat, poultry, and processed egg inspection services, and grain and other commodity inspection, weighing, grading, and IT support services funded by user fees. Eligible households will still receive monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for January, and most other domestic nutrition assistance programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can continue to operate at the state and local level with any funding and commodity resources that remain available. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will not be interrupted, though new applicants may face a delay. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration may reduce the number of inspections on hazardous sites and various food products. The U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs will maintain operations.