As the federal government shutdown persists, some “essential” federal services continue. Essential services include federal programs and agencies funded through separate sources, such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security Disability. Others are self-funded and can continue operating as normal, like the U.S. Postal Service.

Here is what you can expect during the government shutdown:

Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security Disability

Beneficiaries will continue to receive benefits, but communication from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could be delayed.

Nearly half the CMS staff have been furloughed, meaning those employees can’t work and won’t be paid until the furlough ends. Some services, like requests for benefit verification or replacement Medicare cards might be delayed or interrupted. However, you can still use the Social Security Administration portal to access benefit disability verification letters.

Food and nutritional aid

Two programs have received emergency funding: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, previously known as food stamps, and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC. If the shutdown continues into November, SNAP and WIC benefits might be delayed or interrupted.

Daily operations

During the shutdown, members of Congress and their staff members are still carrying out many of their regular roles, including constituent services and support. Congress members can cosponsor bills that have been introduced in Congress, and most are also still taking meetings with advocates. Many legislators have guidance on their websites about the government shutdown for their state or district.

Why is the government shut down?

Members of Congress are locked in a stalemate over whether to reopen the government temporarily at existing funding levels or to fund it for a longer period of time. Health care policy is at the center of the debate.

Democrats want to extend existing tax credits to help with the cost of market place health insurance premiums. Many Republican members of Congress want to reopen the government first and negotiate over health care separately. Democrats say the issue is too urgent to wait, marketplace open enrollment period began Nov. 1.

More than 24 million people who don’t have insurance through their jobs or a public program like Medicaid bought health insurance this year through the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association is committing to advocating for affordable, accessible health care for the PH community. Your experiences with health care coverage and access challenges are important to bring to Congress and can strengthen PHA’s advocacy efforts.