The state of Iowa says families receiving federal health benefits who are concerned about the impact of the federal government shutdown don’t have to worry.

That’s according to Kim Dorn, the director of the Marion County Public Health Department; she says local agencies which deal with federal benefits have been told there will be “no direct impact” on any of these programs.

The only one facing any concern is the WIC nutrition program; it reportedly has enough funding to last a couple of weeks, but the situation could change if there’s an extended shutdown of the federal government.

Six federal departments already have their funding in place, and are in no danger of running out; but nine other departments have agencies which are dependent on continuing funding, and have been forced to take contingency measures in response to what is being called a “lapse in appropriations.”

For example, the Department of Agriculture is continuing with food inspections, market reports and SNAP benefits; but it will not be processing any new loans, and some farm loans and farm payments will be discontinued if the shutdown goes more than a week.

On the other hand, the Veterans Administration says its Knoxville clinic will continue with normal operations; the U.S. Postal Service is unaffected, since it’s an independent agency; and Social Security benefits will continue to be issued.