How Much The Government Shutdown Affects Indiana

ACROSS INDIANA — The partial federal government shutdown has lasted three weeks and could extend even longer if House Democrats and President Donald Trump continue standing firm on their sides over funding for a border wall with Mexico. But the shutdown doesn't affect every state equally, as Indiana and several others aren't seeing much of an impact. Some states, for instance, have more residents receiving food stamps, while others have a large share of federal workers.

Indiana ranked as the 5th least affected state, coming in at No. 47 sandwiched between Iowa and Wisconsin, according to a report published Thursday by WalletHub. Washington, D.C. unsurprisingly topped the list. The nation's capital has the highest number of families receiving SNAP benefits, the authors noted, and it tied for first for highest federal contract dollars per capita and highest share of federal jobs.

Tax Refunds Could Be Delayed If Shutdown Continues

The WalletHub researchers compared states based on five measurements, with the highest weight belonging to share of federal jobs and percent of families receiving food stamps.

Here are the 10 states most affected by the shutdown, according to WalletHub:

1. Washington, D.C.
2. New Mexico
3. Maryland
4. Hawaii
5. Alaska
6. Virginia
7. West Virginia
8. Mississippi
9. Alabama
10. Arizona

Minnesota ranked as the state least affected by the shutdown (51), followed by New Hampshire (50), Nebraska (49), Iowa (48) and as previously stated, Indiana (47).

The longest shutdown in American history was 21 days during Bill Clinton's presidency. That impasse began in December 1995 and lasted into January 1996. When the government shuts down, some federal workers perform their duties but don't receive a paycheck. Others receive furlough, essentially meaning a leave of absence.

Tens of thousands of workers in the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Prisons, Customs and Border Protection, Coast Guard and Secret Service are among those working for free at the moment, according to The New York Times. Most IRS operations have been halted and many national parks are closed.

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.

Republican former state Rep. Mike Braun speaks during a U.S. Senate Debate against Republican former state Rep. Mike Braun and Libertarian Lucy Brenton, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, Pool)