How the government shutdown could disrupt daily life

The government shutdown is underway — and it could disrupt your daily life.

The big picture: Millions of people won't get paid during the shutdown, and federal agencies may slow down, disrupting daily life. • The first shutdown since 2019 could be unusually disruptive if President Trump and budget director Russ Vought use it to reshape the federal workforce.

Generally, federal functions deemed "essential" — including health programs, new Social Security and Medicare actions, SNAP benefits, FDA inspections and small business support — don't pause during a shutdown. • A law passed during the 2019 shutdown allows federal workers to automatically receive back pay once funding resumes.

Here's what to know.

When did the government shutdown start?

The shutdown began at midnight, Oct. 1.