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Readers say they aren’t impacted by the government shutdown. Here’s why.
“I say cut the waste and fraud out of the government down until our budget is spending less than the taxes we already pay.”
The federal government shutdown has entered its sixth day, with no resolution in sight as lawmakers remain at a stalemate over key funding disputes.
While Boston.com readers say they aren’t directly impacted, the shutdown, which began on October 1, has already triggered widespread consequences for federal employees, essential services, and millions of Americans who rely on government programs.
When we asked readers how they are or could be impacted, we heard from 136 readers. The majority (68%) said they aren’t impacted, while 17% said they are impacted.
Are you impacted by the government shutdown?
Yes
17%
No
68%
I'm not sure yet
15%
The shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass the necessary appropriations bills to fund the government for fiscal year 2026. At the heart of the dispute are disagreements over health care funding, including subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act.
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Until a deal is reached, non-essential federal operations have been paused, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed or working without pay.
While critical services like Social Security, Medicare, and military operations continue, many other federal functions have ground to a halt or are at risk of shuttering.
Nutrition programs such as WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) are particularly vulnerable, with funding expected to run out soon if the shutdown persists. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are expected to continue through October, according to the state’s Office of Health and Human Services department, but if the shutdown continues, the USDA could turn to its contingency reserve funding for payments. And homebuyers using government-backed loans may also face significant delays in mortgage processing.
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Approximately 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed each day of the shutdown, according to the Congressional Budget Office. While many are guaranteed back pay once the government reopens, contractors and other third-party workers are unlikely to be compensated during the shutdown. For those living paycheck to paycheck, the situation is already causing financial strain.
“When the government shuts down, American families pay the price. Congress must stop playing politics with the livelihoods of federal workers and the communities they serve, end this shutdown immediately, and stop holding workers hostage,” Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said in a statement.
The Senate is scheduled to reconvene Monday evening, but a resolution appears unlikely without significant concessions from both parties.
Below, readers share how the government shutdown is or isn’t impacting them.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Are you impacted by the government shutdown?
No
“Republicans supported a short-term measure to fund the government generally at current levels through Nov. 21, but Democrats blocked it. As Americans we take care of ourselves. We want or need the government to take care of us. The less government the better.” – Gwen G., Brookline
“I don’t rely upon the government for my day to day life, I work and pay taxes to help run the government. We need to get rid of the career politicians who do nothing but grand stand to make political points for the next election instead of trying to solve today’s problems. We’re trillions in debt yet all the politicians talk about is how much more money they need to spend on ‘xyz’ program. How about we balance the budget instead of constantly over spending. If we don’t get our debt under control soon it will be too late and our money will become worthless. I say cut the waste and fraud out of the government down until our budget is spending less than the taxes we already pay.” – John, Woburn
“I receive both SNAP and MassHealth. Thankfully, the shutdown doesn’t affect these.” – Aurora, Salem
“I will continue to get my $465 a month from Social Security. That impacts me every month.” – Mary F., Cape Cod
“The government needs serious downsizing.” – Mike, Pembroke
“This is clearly on the Democratic Party. They were always adamant about not shutting down the government, but clearly they are trying to hold the people of our country hostage.” – Milton E., Quincy
Yes
“I was part of the “Reduction in Force” from the Department of Health and Human Services in July 2025. Now my severance that I am owed will be put on hold. It just feels like the blows keep coming.” – Katie, North Andover
“I am positively impacted by Democrats refusing to let a budget bill pass which will make it illegal for MassHealth or Medicare to cover gender affirming care for adults including hormone replacement therapy and which would take all federal money away from hospitals providing gender affirming care regardless of payment source by the patient. As someone who has transgender family members and friends, I know that this care is life saving. Trans people are our neighbors, our healthcare providers, our scientists, our librarians, our healthcare providers, our professors, our children. They make today better. Tomorrow needs all of them. And democrats refusing to compromise on this helps ensure every trans person I love can keep being here.” – Ro, Boston
“Federal employee here. Even when we ‘start up’ again, there is money wasted on figuring out where we last left off. Every week of the shutdown results in 2-3 weeks of catchup, which impacts how efficiently we use taxpayer money.” – Anonymous reader, Northwest Metro
“We have a planned PTSD Memorial unveiling planned at the Bourne National Cemetery on November 9th at 1:00 pm . It looks like this government shutdown is going to prevent that from happening!” – Joe C., South Boston
“I am impacted, mostly indirectly, in the following ways: I dislike a dysfunctional government, and my vote always goes for functioning candidates who would not allow this to happen in the first place, but I am only one vote; Health and Human Services, NIH, FDA all provide vital services, and of course millions of people are affected when those organizations’ staffs are drastically cut back; I visit National Parks as frequently as possible, some nationwide, and yes, in effect forcing those organizations to have to cut their staffs way back, that has a big effect on anyone who treasures our public land.” – John W., Brattleboro, Vermont
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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