The federal government officially shut down at midnight after lawmakers failed to approve funding. Across the Carolinas, nonessential workers at agencies like IRS, HHS, and National Park Service face furloughs and delayed paychecks. Essential personnel — such as military and TSA staff — must continue working, though they may not be paid immediately if the shutdown drags on.
Programs like SNAP and WIC could run out of funds, threatening benefits for low-income households. However, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid payments are protected and will continue. The U.S. Postal Service will also keep operating, because it relies on its own revenue sources.
In North Carolina, an estimated 51,900 federal employees work outside the military. Meanwhile, the Office of State Human Resources announced that 200 state employees funded by federal dollars will be furloughed starting Wednesday. Health benefits for those workers will remain through October.
Veterans will still access health services and receive compensation, but services like transition counseling will pause. County-level USDA offices, which support farms across the region, will shut down, potentially delaying critical services for farmers. In past shutdowns, airports have endured delays when TSA attendance drops—something travelers in the Carolinas may now face.
