How the federal government shutdown impacts Michigan: mail, benefits, parks

US government shut down early Wednesday morning amid partisan impasse
Essential services, federal benefits will continue in Michigan and other states, but delays to government services are likely
Federal uncertainty comes as state lawmakers pass stopgap spending measure to fund Michigan government through Oct. 8

Shortly before Michigan lawmakers passed a stopgap spending bill to keep state government running Wednesday, the federal government shut down for the first time in six years amid a partisan impasse in Congress.

Some 750,000 federal workers nationwide are expected to be furloughed as the government winds down non-essential operations. President Donald Trump has warned he’s prepared to “do things that are irreversible, that are bad” and make some of those layoffs and closures permanent.

With no end in sight, observers are anticipating big economic repercussions nationwide and possible delays in government services.

Here’s what the shutdown might mean for Michigan.

How many employees are affected in Michigan?

It’s unclear exactly how many of Michigan’s nearly 30,000 civilian federal employees will be ordered to stop work under the shutdown.

Employees deemed essential to maintaining operations — including the military, law enforcement, border agents, airport staff and others — are typically asked to work without pay for the duration of the shutdown.

The Veterans Health Administration, the largest federal employer in Michigan, is housed under the Department of Veterans Affairs, which government officials expect to remain 97% operational.

Many of Michigan’s federal employees have already been impacted by the Trump administration’s efforts in recent months to cull the federal workforce.

Will federal benefits continue?

Retirement, disability, veterans and health care benefits covered under federal programs are expected to continue, though reduced staffing for a prolonged period could result in delays.

Recipients of federal food assistance programs could also experience delays in services or be at risk of losing benefits, according to Jennifer Garner, an assistant professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health.

What happens to parks?

Closures or significant service reductions at national parks have been common in previous federal shutdowns. Though sites may still technically be accessible to the public, minimal staffing could result in programming cancellations and building closures.

In Michigan, that would impact Isle Royale National Park (typically open to the public until Nov. 1 each year), Keweenaw National Historic Park, River Raisin National Battlefield Park and national lakeshores at Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Are other delays expected?

Lapses in federal initiatives like the National Flood Insurance Program and Environmental Protection Agency are expected to result in significant delays to real estate property closings, permit processing and other projects across Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber predicted.

The business group also feared repercussions for Michigan health care providers and patients using telehealth services, as rules that expanded virtual care in rural areas could also lapse.

Will it impact travel plans?

Though air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration employees are deemed essential, no-shows and sick calls spiked during previous shutdowns, meaning airport delays at major Michigan airports are possible.

Will I get mail?

US Postal Service operations are not affected by the shutdown, meaning mail should be delivered on schedule.

What’s the impact on schools?

The Michigan Department of Education will continue business as usual amid the shutdown, state Superintendent Michael Rice wrote in a Tuesday memo.

Issues the state needs to elevate to federal staff for guidance will likely be delayed until after normal operations resume, Rice said. Federal reimbursement-based funding to local schools will also be delayed.