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After failing to avert a federal government shutdown this morning, House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., left, and House Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., rear center, look on as Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, pauses during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Washington -- The federal government will shut down today for the first time in 17 years after House Republicans and Senate Democrats failed to come up with a budget compromise.

When the federal fiscal year ended at midnight, Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Burwell issued a directive to federal agencies to "execute plans for an orderly shutdown."

About 800,000 of the 2.1 million federal employees nationwide will be furloughed as agencies cut back or close their operations.

Here are the answers to 15 common questions about how the shutdown might affect you in Central New York:

Will I receive my Social Security and Medicare benefits?

Yes, benefits will continue to be paid throughout the shutdown. About 280 Social Security employees in 18 offices across Central and Western New York will remain on the job. But a union official warns that those applying for benefits or replacement cards could face delays.

Are post offices open, and will I receive mail today?



Yes, the U.S. Postal Service says there will be no interruptions to mail delivery. All post offices will remain open normal operating hours.

Can I still fly out of Hancock International Airport?

Yes, the Federal Aviation Administration said air traffic controllers will remain on the job across the nation. So will employees of the Transportation Security Administration. No delays related to the federal shutdown are expected.

What happens to the nation's borders?



Border patrol agents will remain on duty, along with members of the FBI and other essential federal law enforcement personnel.

Can I visit a national park or monuments like those on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.?

No, all 401 national parks will be closed throughout the nation. The National Park Service will close park entrances, visitor centers, campgrounds, bathrooms, concession stands and other park facilities.

Will I be able to apply for a passport or visa?

Yes, offices will remain open for business. The exception may be those offices in federal buildings that are closed. The James M. Hanley Federal Building in downtown Syracuse will remain open.

What about Veterans Affairs medical centers?

The VA Medical Center in Syracuse and those throughout the nation will remain open. Veterans also will continue to receive their benefits.

What happens to the military?



Anyone on active duty (at Fort Drum, Afghanistan or any base overseas and in the United States) will remain on the job with full pay as mandated by Congress. Other federal employees will have to wait for retroactive payments after the shutdown. Fort Drum furloughed about 250 civilian employees today, about a third of the civilian workforce.

What about the Air National Guard at Hancock Field?



About 200 military technicians at the Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field in Mattydale will be furloughed. An additional 80 technicians are deemed essential for ongoing operations, and will remain on duty.

What about public health issues like federal meat, poultry and egg inspections?

The Food and Drug Administration says all inspections related to human health and safety will continue uninterrupted.

Can I still get a weather forecast from the National Weather Service?

Yes, the weather service functions are considered essential.

What if I have an appointment with the Internal Revenue Service?

It's probably a good idea to confirm appointments. The IRS said it will likely postpone appointments for audits, collections and appeals.

Will the federal court system be open?

The Syracuse-based U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York is supposed to be open, but it was not immediately clear what court business may be conducted.

What happens to new federally-guaranteed home mortgages?

Borrowers could face delays. The Federal Housing Administration, which guarantees about 30 percent of home mortgages, will not underwrite or approve new loans.

Can I contact my member of Congress? What if I have an active case with a congressional office?



Most members of Congress will operate with a reduced staff. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., will close his Syracuse district office and have limited staff at his Washington, D.C., office.

U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei, D-Syracuse, said his offices will have rotating furloughs, but a skeleton staff will remain on duty. His Syracuse office will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Auburn and Oswego district offices will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on rotating days, starting with the Auburn office today and Wednesday. The Oswego office will be open Thursday and Friday.

Maffei's office on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., will be open regular hours from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, but the staff will be reduced due to the rotating furloughs.

U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, will close his district offices in Utica and Binghamton. Phone calls will be redirected to the Washington, D.C., office where 60 percent of the staff is furloughed.

Contact Mark Weiner at mweiner@syracuse.com or 571-970-3751. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWeinerDC