4 Major Ways the Government Shutdown Will Affect Central WA’s Economy

• Read our breakdown on four major ways the federal government shutdown is going to have an immediate impact on many Yakima Valley and Central Washington families.

Federal Workers in Central Washington Are Impacted Right Now

Many Central Washington residents are worried about how the latest government shutdown is going to affect their daily lives. If these federal workers aren't being paid during a shutdown, there is a big possibility that some of them may find it difficult to pay certain bills on time and take care of their usual monthly bills for food, clothing, shelter, and recreation, as NBC News notes. This reduced spending will trickle down to affect our local economy.

Let's look at four ways you and our communities could be impacted in a negative way and then take note of who still gets paid during a government shutdown in the list below.

1. Reduced Spending in the Central Washington Economy and Tourism

Central Washington employees that considered "excepted employees", meaning they are not given a furlough and will have to continue working without pay, include: Yakima Training Center, TSA, Forest Service and Forest Service firefighters, Border Patrol, Customs, Bureau of Reclamation, Meat and Poultry inspectors, Secret Service, Air Traffic Control, FEMA, ICE, and Coast Guard members.

Read More: Where are your Washington tax dollars going?

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2. Potential Delays for WIC and SNAP Payments

Low-income persons who rely on WIC and SNAP food benefits might also see their funding and payments dry up, depending on how long the government shutdown continues.

Federal workers who case manage local WIC and SNAP offices will be furloughed and there may not be help available to help clients manage their current claims or file for new claims.

3. Federally Funded Loans May Dry Up

Farmers, business owners, construction contractors, sub-contractors, federal housing authorities (including Section 8, HUD, and other government-backed housing loan offices), local tenants, mortgage loan companies, and  landlords, city, county, and university college students, educational facilities, and nonprofits who rely on federal funds could see access to these funds frozen or possibly experience significant payment delays during a government shutdown.

4. Government-Run Safety Inspections Will Cease

Government agencies that oversee food inspections (with the exception of meat and poultry), as well as non-emergency categories like food recalls, environmental reviews, and federal construction projects come to a halt during a government shutdown.

Which Federal Workers Get Paid During a Government Shutdown

These federal government employees, however, will continue to get paid, even during a government shutdown:

• President of the United States
• Cabinet Members
• Congress Members
• Defense Department
• Homeland Security
• Federal and Supreme Court Judges
• Post Office Employees
• Passport and Visa employees
• SEC and Federal Reserve employees

In most cases, these federal employees are funded by permanent sources or existing Congressional laws, and are therefore lucky enough not affected by government shutdowns.