Major programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are not be affected because they are funded separately from the annual appropriations process. Scripps News crunched the numbers to demonstrate the impact of a shutdown on agencies that have shared shutdown plans publicly. No other branch of the military released a standalone shutdown contingency plan, pointing instead to the broader Department of Defense guidance. “While we do not anticipate using the plan, prudent management requires that agencies prepare for this contingency,” the IRS wrote. Direct-service operations including benefits applications, payee changes and issuance/replacement of new Social Security cards will continue despite the funding lapse.