India, Oct. 1 -- The US government is edging closer to a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. ET after Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-led bill to extend funding. It would mark the first government shutdown since 2018-2019.

During a shutdown, federal agencies and services deemed non-essential cease operations due to lapsed appropriations. Essential services, critical to public safety and national security, continue functioning. Funding for essential operations is often covered by mandatory spending or prior authorizations.

Based on historical shutdown contingency plans, the following services typically remain operational:

US Postal Service

Medicare

Social Security payments continue, but some SSA services could be impacted

Air-traffic contro...