With the federal government shutdown approaching one week, at least one agency locally has furloughed workers and others are open with more limited services via phone messages and online services.
Federal lawmakers failed to approve a funding package, so the shutdown began on October 1. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture service center in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, was closed. Callers to that office heard a message saying, “We are furloughed due to lapsed funding.”
That USDA message also encourages callers to leave a voicemail on the line for federal workers to address when they return.
The Internal Revenue Service office in Sioux City on Monday evening had a sheet posted on the door saying that Tuesday, October 7 was a training day for employees.
According to the Treasury's contingency plan listed on the federal website, the IRS has money to keep working for five business days after a lapse in federal appropriations, which would cover the five workdays through Tuesday, October 7.
The Treasury plan says it would take about a half day “to complete any shutdown activities.”
NPR has reported that Social Security offices are open with reduced services. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments to beneficiaries will continue with no change in payment dates.
A recorded message at the Sioux City office of Social Security tells people to leave a message, while a website says the office remains open.
