Low-income Minnesotans likely to be the first to feel impact of government shutdown

WASHINGTON — The federal government shut down overnight, escalating a blame game and opening the door to a disruption of services that will also heighten depending on how long this government shutdown lasts.

Many Minnesotans will not feel the impact right away. Social Security payments will continue and Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans Affairs patients will continue to receive care. Post offices will remain open and mail will still be delivered because the U.S. Postal Service is largely funded by fees for its services, including revenue from stamps and special deliveries.

Federal courts will continue business as usual — at least for a while — and most congressional offices will pick up the phone when a constituent calls, though many of those offices will have furloughed staffers and those