Who is affected if the Government shuts down October 1, 2013

WHAT STAYS OPEN:
• Postal Service. You will get your mail.
• Social Security. You will get your checks.
• Medicare continues.
• Active-duty military will keep working, but will NOT get paid until the funds are available (this is NEW).
• Air-traffic control.
• Immigration.
• Border security.
• Emergency and disaster assistance.
• Federal law enforcement.
• IRS can STILL process electronic returns and payments ONLY.

WHAT CLOSES:
• Any federal agency that's subject to appropriations. That's MOST of them. Each agency has the discretion to decide who is "excepted" or "emergency" (don't call it "essential") and who is furloughed.
• All National Parks.
• All federally-funded museums. This includes the Smithsonian.
• The National Zoo (also Smithsonian).
• All federal government websites. Yes, the Panda Cam, too. ( getting final confirmation on Panda Cam from Smithsonian )
• Research by Health and Human Services stops. So does the grant process. Depending on how long it lasts, that'll also impact medical research at hospitals and universities.
• APPLYING for Social Security. If you're a new retiree, your application won't be processed.
• IRS walk-in centers. Your paper tax return will not be processed.
• Loan applications for small businesses, college tuition, or mortgages.
• All Library of Congress buildings. All public events will be cancelled and web sites could be inaccessible.
• DC Government would also shut down, as it is subject to congressional appropriations and is considered "a federal agency." But the mayor sent a letter to OMB saying that all DC Workers are declared "essential." This is a new feud and worth watching.
• Contractors will be out of work.
• Federal workers (except "excepted" or "emergency" personnel) will not be allowed to work, not even from home. No blackberry, no smartphone, no laptop. Not even allowed to check work email.