WASHINGTON — As discussions intensify over a looming government shutdown, the term “partial” is frequently used but remains somewhat ambiguous regarding the extent of its impact. This uncertainty surrounds the shutdown that could commence as soon as Friday night.

The debate is particularly heated concerning future funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Tensions have escalated following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and Renée Good by federal agents in Minneapolis, which has intensified scrutiny of DHS operations.

In response, Senate Democrats have signaled they might block legislation intended to fund DHS and several other agencies. This move could edge the government closer to a partial shutdown unless there is a consensus with Republicans and the White House on implementing new restrictions related to President Trump’s heightened immigration enforcement policies.

Without a funding agreement by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Friday, a shutdown would commence, but it would affect only half of the government’s agencies. Congress has already approved six of the 12 necessary spending bills for the current fiscal year. These bills cover significant departments, including the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency, safeguarding them from immediate closure.

Will the shutdown’s effect on public services also be partial? Here’s how programs and payments may be affected by the shutdown.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, was massively affected by the previous shutdown in late 2025, the longest in the nation’s history. The Trump administration restricted program funding during the shutdown, triggering numerous conflicting court rulings and shifting state and federal policies.

The confusion that shutdown caused in SNAP led lawmakers to ensure full year-long funding for the agency in charge of the program, the Department of Agriculture. The agency has been funded through Sept. 30, 2026, meaning the possible partial shutdown would not impact SNAP.

The United States Postal Service isn’t impacted by government shutdowns, as the service’s funding isn’t determined by Congress, according to the American Postal Workers Union.

“As an independent agency that is almost entirely self-funded, postal operations will continue as usual with no disruption in pay for employees,” the union’s website said. “Unfortunately, many of our union family across federal agencies will face furloughs or be required to work without pay.”

Airports will remain open, and flights will continue during a partial government shutdown, but airports’ most essential workers will have to work without pay again.

Air traffic controllers could be impacted again as the Department of Transportation’s budget is one of the funding measures Congress has yet to approve. 

Workers with the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, would also be forced to work without pay in the event of a partial shutdown. Their positions are funded by the Department of Homeland Security, the budget of which is being debated and may cause the shutdown.

Each of the nation’s national parks will remain open since the Department of the Interior was fully funded through Sept. 30.

The six remaining budget appropriations bills that have yet to be passed by Congress provide funding for the vast majority of federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Federal workers in each of these departments will either be considered “essential” and work without pay or be furloughed for as long as the shutdown lasts.