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Editor's note: This story has been updated.
Four weeks into the partial government shutdown, federal agencies are recalling an increasing number of furloughed workers to provide services to the American people, including vital food inspections, processing of income-tax returns, and airplane safety checks.
The partial shutdown began on Dec. 22 because legislation needed to fund nine departments was not passed, so these agencies do not have money to operate. The affected departments are Agriculture (USDA), Commerce, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Interior, Justice, State, Transportation and Treasury. Although these agencies technically are not funded, more than 450,000 workers are carrying out their duties — most without being paid. (This week President Donald Trump signed a bill enabling these employees to be paid retroactively once the government fully reopens.)
Here’s a look at how some key government responsibilities have been affected by this longest shutdown in American history.
Social Security and Medicare: These programs are funded and are not affected by the shutdown, so Social Security payments to retirees, individuals with disabilities and other beneficiaries have continued. Medicare beneficiaries are still getting health care services.
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