Will USPS keep delivering mail in Ohio during the government shutdown? Here’s what we know

As the government shutdown continues, some services have been affected across the country, and Ohio residents are worried about how this may affect their services.

The shutdown took effect Oct. 1 as a result of a deadlocked Congress, putting paychecks, public services and assistance programs at risk for thousands of residents.

Will mail still be delivered in Ohio?

The Postal Service issued an official statement, confirming “U.S. Postal Service operations will not be interrupted in the event of a government shutdown, and all Post Offices will remain open for business as usual.”

USPS operates as an independent agency that is funded by the sales of postage, products, and services, not taxpayer dollars allocated by Congress.

How the shutdown affects USPS

• All letter, package, and express delivery services will operate on a normal schedule.
• Retail services, such as buying stamps, shipping packages, and PO box access are still available
• Essential USPS functions are not disrupted by Congressional budget standoffs.

Services that might be affected

• Mail issued by federal agencies for mailing checks, documents or official notices could be delayed or halted.  
• Some non-essential government mail, like park brochures or IRS outreach materials, may be suspended

Other Ohio agencies that could be affected

There are approximately 83,700 federal workers in Ohio, including civilian federal jobs and this makes up about 1.5% of all nonfarm jobs in the state.

• Law enforcement
• Civilian staff
• Military personnel 
• TSA officers
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
• US. Army (including Fort Eisenhower and National Guard)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Your postal services are currently protected from the government shutdown and only weather, natural disasters, federal holidays or special events can impede delivery.

Visit the USPS’ official website for more information about disruptions or service alerts.