Here's how the federal government shutdown is affecting Michigan
With Congress failing to reach an agreement on a federal budget, a federal government shutdown began at 12:01 October 1, which is the start of the fiscal year for federal government.
The shutdown-related announcements and contingency plans directly affecting Michigan residents include who might be affected by the reduction in force decisions; who gets paid (or not) during the shutdown; closings for some visitor centers; agency training schedules and public communications.
Here's what CBS News Detroit has learned:
Paycheck impact on civilian employees
Over 29,000 civilian federal workers live in Michigan, the Congressional Research Service says. Nearly 10,000 of them live in Michigan's 10th Congressional District, which includes Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights, Warren and Mount Clemens. This does not include military personnel.
It has not been determined whether furloughed workers will receive back pay when the shutdown ends.
The U.S. General Services Administration lists federal October pay date schedules as Oct. 15 and Oct. 29. Those employees are on a two-week schedule.
In the meantime, some federal employees received notices on October 10 telling them they would be laid off in 60 days, CBS News reported.
Paycheck impact on Congress
Members of Congress do get to continue drawing a paycheck.
Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin is among those who have said she will voluntarily withhold her paycheck "for the duration of the shutdown.
Michigan Rep. Tom Barrett has also announced he is withholding his pay until the shutdown ends.
Paycheck impact on military personnel
Active-duty military pay is on a twice a month schedule with the October pay dates, according to the Department of Defense, listed as Oct. 15 and Oct. 31. The Trump administration made arrangements to pay service members Oct. 15, using other funds, a step that House Speaker Mike Johnson said is a "temporary fix." No decision has been announced on subsequent paychecks.
CBS News reports that all active-duty personnel, as well as National Guard who are currently deployed, are expected to carry out their assigned duties even though pay might be delayed until the shutdown is over.
During the shutdown, medical care and dental care can take place, according to the contingency guidance, but elective surgeries and other elective procedures would be delayed unless they're necessary for military readiness. Private health care using the Defense Department's TRICARE medical insurance would continue uninterrupted.
Dealing with bills amid lapsed paychecks
While not all agencies made such a statement public, the U.S. Coast Guard addressed household bills and family expenses in its notice to personnel.
The Coast Guard staff says all of its military members, along with certain essential personnel, will be expected to work "but may not receive pay until the government reopens." There also will be some employees who are on furlough and they will not work or get paid until funding is restored.
"During a lapse, Coast Guard members must continue to meet all civil obligations, including insurance, rent/mortgage, child care, and child support, regardless of the government's ability to process payroll. If you have set up direct financial allotments through the Coast Guard payroll system, please remember that no funds will be transferred during a furlough. Remember to review your automatic payments and make any necessary adjustments. Creditors are not obligated to provide relief, so communicate with them quickly if you anticipate any temporary financial constraints," the notice said.
State of Michigan unemployment benefits
The State of Michigan has set up a web page explaining how federal employees who have lost their jobs can seek unemployment benefits.
The page includes a list of documents that will be needed from both civilian and military employees who are in those circumstances. There also is a list of links to other resources that can help those who are without paychecks, including information on how to apply for food assistance.
WIC
Two food assistance programs to needy families are federally funded: SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as food stamps; and WIC, Women Infants Children. This situation is closely watched.
The Trump administration is using revenue generated by the president's tariffs on foreign imports to fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, which provides nutrition assistance to millions of low-income women and children, CBS News reports.
According to state data, over 200,000 people receive WIC in Michigan. There was an unrelated outage of WIC system from October 17 through October 19, the State of Michigan said.
SNAP
In mid-October, the agriculture secretary announced the SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps, would run out of money soon because of the government shutdown. This is a different scenario than happened in the 2018 and 2019 federal shutdowns as USDA during those instances disbursed SNAP funds early to prevent benefits from running out
CBS News says clients, on average, receive a payment of $187 (or roughly $6 per day) on prepaid cards that they can use to buy produce, meat, dairy and other food staples.
While SNAP is a federally funded program run by the USDA, states are responsible for administering benefits and setting their own disbursement dates. SNAP benefits in Michigan are issued once a month, clients are assigned dates scattered throughout the month.
Because of the funding unknowns, more than a dozen states have paused accepting new food stamp applications. Some states are issuing warnings about benefit disruptions. Michigan is still accepting applications, according to details as of October 20, and the state has not yet issued an update as to what delays or disruptions might result.
The uncertainty about SNAP benefits is a concern for staff, volunteers and patrons of food pantries and soup kitchens in Metro Detroit.
Veterans Affair medical sites
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says VA medical centers, outpatient clinics and vet centers will be open as usual and providing services during shutdown operations.
Federal student loans
CBS News reports that federal student loans will still be disbursed, and borrowers of those loans are still required to make payments during the shutdown time frame.
Air travel
The Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration require most of their employees to continue work under essential worker status, even if paychecks are held up, CBS News reports.
CBS News reports the National Air Traffic Controllers Association union told its members on Oct. 6 to keep working during the U.S. government shutdown, with the labor group warning that failure to report for duty could lead to termination. That being said, there have been some staffing disruptions including when Hollywood Burbank Airport operated without in-person air traffic controllers for a few hours Oct. 6.
Sean Duffy, the secretary of transportation, said October 20 that there may be more travel disruptions as air traffic controllers continue to go without pay and have been looking to gig or part-time work to pay bills. Air traffic controllers are expected to work without pay during a funding lapse and receive back pay once the shutdown is over.
TSA, for its part, has told passengers to expect delays at security checkpoints.
The FAA is referring passengers to its website for real-time updates about U.S. airport travel, including staffing and weather issues.
Detroit Metro officials said Oct. 8 that they are not expecting local staffing disruptions due to the shutdown.
The Flint Bishop Airport issued the following statement October 14: "Operations at Bishop International Airport (FNT) have not been impacted by the federal government shutdown. Flights are running as scheduled, and we're not experiencing any staffing or service interruptions. We continue to stay in close communication with our federal partners to monitor the situation and remain prepared should circumstances change," the statement said.
National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board's site says transportation accidents can still be reported; but the agency "will not be able to respond to inquiries until after appropriations are enacted." Public communications issued by the agency have been limited.
The NTSB is involved with the investigation of a fatal plane crash October 16 in Bath Township, Michigan, near Lansing.
Bath Township Supervisor Ryan Fewins-Bliss noted that the NTSB officials working on that plane crash are not being paid due to the shutdown.
Passport services
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters' office says the U.S. Passport Agency remains open, with passport applications and renewal requests continue to be processed.
National cemetery sites
There are five national cemeteries in Michigan, including Great Lakes National Cemetery, which is in Oakland County's Holly Township.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says burials will continue and applications for headstones and burial benefits will continue during shutdown operations. VA national cemeteries also remain open for visitation during the federal government shutdown. However, there will be no grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries.
But Great Lakes National Cemetery reported it it wasn't able to coordinate a headstone cleaning event that was slated for October 18 because of the government shutdown. The cemetery is run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration.
National Park Service sites
The National Park Service has several sites in Michigan, including Isle Royale National Park in Houghton, Keweenaw National Historical Park in Calumet, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising and River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe.
The National Park Service's contingency plan for 2025 said staffing at the park sites will be on a case by case basis, with minimal services provided. If a building or facility is normally locked or secured during non-business hours, it also needs to be locked or secured for the duration of a shutdown. Park website and social media will not be maintained "except for emergency communications."
Law enforcement, emergency response and public health matters such as drinking water and sewage may continue. Park superintendents may allow special events and activities on site if the activity does not require park staff to provide monitoring or resources. In addition, no new special event permits will be issued.
In keeping with that instruction, River Raisin's visitor center and gift shop are closed until a budget goes into effect, the park's foundation reported. A living history event that was scheduled for October 18 at River Raisin also has been canceled, the foundation reported.
The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes said the visitor center in Empire, Glen Haven museums and the blacksmith shop are closed at Sleeping Bear Dunes. In addition, range-led activities and educational programs are canceled. Research programs will be on hold. Trails and beaches are open with limited staff available.
The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation supports five parks, including three in Michigan: Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historic Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The foundation says on its website that the park lands are open, but with minimal staffing. All park buildings including the visitor centers are closed.
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge on West Jefferson Avenue in Trenton is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The site is along a Great Lakes habitat and migration route for waterfowl and other birds.
The outdoor areas at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge are normally open for visiting during daylight hours. The John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center is normally open three days a week during business hours.
The Department of the Interior's shutdown plans call for refuge visitor centers across the country to be closed, but the sites themselves will have some staffing to provide for safety and security.
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service says it will continue to provide forecast, watch and warning information from its bureaus, which include the Detroit office and others serving Michigan.
The Detroit NWS office posted this message on its website: "Because the information this website provides is necessary to protect life and property, this site will be updated and maintained during the federal government shutdown."
But because of the shutdown, the agency said, all public activities such as tours and outreach events have been canceled or postponed until further notice.
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service invoked its shutdown plan October 8.
The details noted include placing some employees on furlough status and operating with minimum staffing. Call sites and taxpayer services will be limited.
The Detroit Taxpayer Assistance Center is listed as closed on the agency's website.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said early Wednesday there is "no change" to U.S. immigration laws or border enforcement during shutdown operations.
"Border security and enforcement efforts remain strict, and crossing the border without authorization remains a crime," the agency said.
CBS News reported October 16 that ICE law enforcement officers will be paid if they work during the shutdown.
Customs and Border Protection
CBS News reported October 16 that U.S. Border Patrol agents received guidance notifying them they will be paid through the government shutdown and classified as "exempt," a Department of Homeland Security official said.
The agents, however, have not yet received back pay, the official added.
Federal court cases
Michigan's federal criminal and civil court system is handled by two districts - eastern and western. The Eastern District includes Metro Detroit. The Western District includes Grand Rapids.
Existing court fee balances and other funds were used to keep the operations running at first. But starting October 20, federal judiciary said, it would no longer have funding to maintain "full, paid operation" as a result of the ongoing shutdown.
Federal judges will continue to serve, but court staff will curtail their activities to only perform those that are allowed under federal law, such as those necessary to perform constitutional functions and activities "necessary for the safety of human life and protection of property, and activities otherwise authorized by federal law."
The Department of Justice's publicly posted contingency plan also includes the following instructions about court proceedings:
"Criminal litigation will continue without interruption as an activity essential to the safety of human life and the protection of property. Domestic and international extraditions are also necessary to protect life and property and therefore excepted. Extradition requests are made pursuant to bilateral and multilateral treaties which carry obligations to extradite within a treaty deadline timeframe that cannot be extended due to a lapse in appropriation.
"Civil litigation will be curtailed or postponed to the extent that this can be done without compromising to a significant degree the safety of human life or the protection of property. Litigators will approach the courts and request that active cases, except for those in which a delay would compromise to a significant degree the safety of human life or the protection of property, be postponed until funding is available."
In addition, many of the training programs for DOJ employees are canceled or curtailed, the DOJ plan says.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, also known as ATF, has a Detroit Field Office. Cases that the agency has been working on locally include the investigation of the September 28 fatal shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township.
ATF field division agents are not subject to furlough, according to the Department of Justice's contingency plan, although the agency will have limited support from headquarters.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has a Detroit Field Office. The agency says more than 100 FBI personnel were assigned to the investigation of the September 28 fatal shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township.
They are not subject to furlough.
"All FBI agents and support personnel in the field are excepted from furlough because they directly address and/or provide essential assistance to mitigate imminent threats to human life or property through the FBI's national security and law enforcement operations," the Department of Justice contingency plan states.
In addition, the FBI will continue providing fingerprint identification services, name check services for criminal and national security investigations and gun checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
The Trump administration will continue paying FBI agents despite the ongoing government shutdown that has frozen paychecks for nearly all federal workers, FBI Director Kash Patel announced October 16. Patel did not specify the source of the funds that would be used for payroll purposes.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Michigan's nuclear power plants include the Fermi 2 Nuclear Power plant in Monroe County, near the Lake Erie shoreline. The Palisades nuclear plant in West Michigan is in the process of restarting operations.
"The extent of the impacts will depend on the duration of the shutdown," the NRC shutdown plan says, but the lack of funding could result in pauses or delays in activities such as emergency preparedness drills, reactor operator training and inspections "except as necessary."
Federal prisons
The Federal Bureau of Prisons operates the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan, which is a low-security facility with a detention center.
All staff at the federal prisons are excepted from furlough as they have daily inmate custody responsibilities, the Department of Justice contingency plan says.
Social Security offices
Those who already receive Social Security benefits will continue receiving that money on the usual schedule, CBS News reports. The funding is considered mandatory spending. Payment dates vary throughout the month.
But some services might be on hold, according to the Social Security Administration and experts on the retirement program. The services expected to be halted include benefit verifications, replacement Medicare cards and overpayments processing. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters' office said new benefit verification and card issuance services typically are on hold during a shutdown.
There are several Social Security Administration field offices in Michigan, including in Detroit, Adrian, Dearborn, Livonia, Monroe, Pontiac, Saginaw and Sterling Heights.
The Social Security Administration announcement on cost of living adjustments for 2026 has been delayed, CBS News reports, with October 24 the expected release date.
Medicare and Medicaid
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters' office said "you will continue to receive Medicare and Medicaid. Please be aware that due to reduced staffing, communications from the agency may be delayed."
Mail delivery and post offices
The U.S. Postal Service says mail delivery will not be interrupted and all post offices will remain open for business as usual.
"Because we are an independent entity that is generally funded through the sale of our products and services, and not by tax dollars, our services will not be impacted by a government shutdown," the agency said.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Center
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Center, which has a museum in Grand Rapids and a library in Ann Arbor, posted the following message on its website:
"Due to the shutdown of the federal government, National Archives facilities are closed. In addition, National Archives websites and social media accounts are not being updated or monitored, and activities are canceled, with some exceptions."
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, and its sister institution, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, are part of the Presidential libraries system administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, a federal agency. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids and attended the University of Michigan. He served as the U.S. president from 1974 to 1977.
Tuskegee Airmen National Museum
The Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum in Detroit had applied for two grants to help encourage more youths to seek aviation careers. Because of the shutdown, museum officials aren't sure if the grants will be issued.
Civil Air Patrol, Michigan Wing
Services and assignments for the Civil Air Patrol are greatly curtailed because of the shutdown. The Civil Air Patrol provides emergency services and disaster relief, while also providing aerospace education and opportunities for youth. There are 1,200 members in the Michigan Wing, with several squadron locations in Southeast Michigan including Detroit, Livonia and Willow Run.
"CAP is a national nonprofit organization, but our operations are primarily funded through federal appropriations," the agency said.
Some employees are furloughed, others are still working. Any "critical missions" will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There will be no training missions or cadet orientation flights during the shutdown.
For example, the CAP's Monroe Squadron was scheduled to participate in an emergency drill Saturday at Sterling State Park with other first responder, state and emergency agencies from Monroe and Wayne counties. But while the CAP "participated heavily in the planning," they were not able to physically participate in Saturday's drill "due to the Federal Shutdown," the Monroe County Michigan Amateur Radio Public Service group said.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took the step Oct. 17 of pausing multiple projects as the shutdown lingered, according to CBS News.
It was not immediately clear how the Detroit District would be affected.
Constituent sevices
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters said his Washington D.C. and Detroit constituent services offices remain open to help Michigan residents with questions and issues involving federal agencies.
"However, as a result of the shutdown, federal agencies are operating with reduced staff and some of the services they provide may be delayed," his office said.
Public communications
The official social media accounts for many federal agencies, including those whose programs and resources serve Michigan residents, had postings starting October 1 that said social media use would halt or be curtailed back during the shutdown operations.
In addition, when CBS News Detroit reached out to the FBI's communications office for an update on the agency's investigation of the September 28 fatal shooting and attack at the Grand Blanc Township church, the following message was received:
"Thank you for reaching out to the FBI Detroit Field Office - Office of Public Affairs. During the current lapse in appropriations, FBI operations are directed toward national security, violations of federal law, and essential public safety functions. Inquiries outside of these functions will be considered when the lapse in appropriations ends."
In addition, Bath Township Supervisor Ryan Fewins-Bliss said township officials have not been able to get support from the federal public relations office on the investigation of a fatal plane crash in his community because of the shutdown.
The above video aired Oct. 2. CBS News Detroit will continue to update this list as details become available.