The ongoing federal shutdown will affect about one quarter of federal departments and agencies, and the impact on taxpayers will be scattered depending on the services they are looking for.

Six major departments already have their funding for the fiscal year, so they will continue on as usual; but nine others will be impacted with a total or partial loss of services.

The Agriculture Department will continue with inspections of meat, poultry, eggs, grain and other commodities; it will also continue to issue regular market reports. Those eligible for SNAP funding will continue to receive their benefits.

But the Ag Department will not process any new loans, suspend investigation of packers or stockyards for fraudulent or anti-competitive activities, and some farm loans and farm payments will be discontinued after the first week of the shutdown.

Housing and Urban Development will continue with Section 8 funding for housing, but new loan applications would be put on hold.

The Knoxville Community Based Outpatient Clinic is open for business as usual.

Other agencies will continue with business as usual, including the Department of Justice and the Federal Courts; but these agencies may seek ways to reduce expenses, from furloughs of non-essential personnel to not updating websites.

Mail will not be affected, since the Postal Service is an independent agency; Social Security benefits will also be issued as usual.