Shutdown Having No "Major" Impact On Indiana...For Now

The federal government shutdown is having ripple effects throughout the state.

About one in six Hoosiers are food insecure; many rely on federally funded programs for meals.

Feeding Indiana Executive Director, Emily Bryant, says with the shutdown, those needing federal assistance such as through the Women, Infant, and Children program, will have to turn to food banks, which don’t always have what is needed.

"Food banks and pantries don't necessarily carry a lot of infant items as far as formula or baby food," she said.  "Simply because most individuals are getting that covered under the WIC program, but hopefully they've got resources they can shift."

Bryant also says programs for senior nutrition, such as Meals on Wheels, are not being funded during the shutdown.

"The child nutrition programs, the school breakfast and lunch programs, and meals provided in daycare settings do continue into October.  The funding comes on a reimbursement basis," she said.  "Meals on Wheels, however, is not being funded through United States Department of Health and Human Services to fund senior nutrition programs."

Gov. Mike Pence's office says it believes it has strong enough balances to fund programs such as WIC through October.

Family Development Services of Marion and Hamilton County, which receives about $15 million per year, is not suffering from any immediate problems.

Executive Director Diane Baker says it’s because they already received their federal funds.

"It's just the way our particular grant year goes.  Every Head Start program in the country has a different grant year," she said.  "If somebody's grant year, for example, started October 1, I would imagine then it would have an impact on their program."

Baker says the program already had to cut 100 kids and more than a half dozen staff members because of sequestration.

The state’s 68,000 disabled veterans should continue to receive their benefits for now.

"They identified carry over funds from previous years that they will use to maintain benefits and services," said Executive Director of Government Efficiency and Financial Planning with the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, Gloria Downham. 

"However, if the shutdown continues, over two or three weeks, benefits may be impacted.  We are closely monitoring the federal government for additional information and updates as they are available."

Funding for the Indiana National Guard remains unclear.  Gov. Pence said the state will pay the 244 federally reimbursable employees deemed non-essential by the federal government and seek later reimbursement.  Pence will reassess if the federal government is still shut down in one week.

Overall, Downham believes the state can weather the storm.

"We think we are in a good financial position to fill the gap for now with the shutdown," she said.  "We don't expect any major impact right now."