A government shutdown is here. How will the Bay Area be affected?

The federal government entered a shutdown at 12:01 a. m. Wednesday after Congress failed to pass a funding bill. California employs over 187,000 federal workers, with 12,500 in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Experts assert that the shutdown's consequences will hinge on the designation of essential federal jobs by the Trump administration.

Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security payments are likely to continue, while other social services may be jeopardized. Nonprofits attempting to renew contracts or obtain grants could face funding delays if key officials are unavailable. During the previous Trump administration, a shutdown lasted 35 days, impacting programs like SNAP and WIC. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier's office indicated that millions of Californians could lose SNAP benefits if the shutdown persists. Recipients of federal assistance should contact local offices for guidance on the situation.