PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – For the first time in seven years, the federal government is shut down and thousands of workers in Oregon are off the job, or still working but not getting paid.

The shutdown comes after a stand-off between Democrats and Republicans in Congress over healthcare spending.

Now some government funding bills are on hold, impacting tens of thousands of federal workers in Oregon and southwest Washington.

The good news: Social Security benefits and Medicare payments are continuing. KOIN 6 News called the Social Security office on Wednesday morning, and the recording said an agent would help, but there was a 90-minute hold time.

However, applications for Social Security, other government programs, and credentials like passports are expected to be slowed down with so many

See Full Page