DISCLAIMER: The following information is based off of how federal agencies have handled shutdowns in the past. The Trump administration may not follow the same protocols. We will do our best to consistently update this page. Unfortunately, due to the dynamic nature of a government shutdown, it is difficult to provide live information about the current operations of various agencies. Please contact our office for assistance, or reach out to the federal agency you need assistance from to get the most up to date information on federal operations. This information has been updated as of September 30, 2025.
With only a day left until the end of the government’s fiscal year, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are putting the entire country at risk. While Democrats are committed to lowering costs, protecting Americans’ healthcare, and keeping the government open, President Trump and Republican Leadership have refused to negotiate in good faith with Democratic leaders to figure out a way forward. Because Republicans control all branches of government, it is likely they will bring us to a shutdown, starting midnight on October 1.
Many of the services our communities rely on will be closed to the public or continue with limited capacity. A government shutdown affects a wide and diverse set of programs, including ones we rely on every day. At this time, we do not know how long this shutdown could last. Below you’ll find frequently asked questions about government shutdowns, the impact of the government’s current operating procedures, and how you can guide your constituents during this period.
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What does this mean for you?
- Regardless of a government shutdown, our office will remain open to assist you.
- If you have a comment or would like to share how this shutdown is impacting you, please call our D.C. office, 9am-5pmET, Mon-Fri, at 202-225-8220, or our Long Beach Office, 9am-5pmPT, Mon-Fri, at 310-831-1799.
What Services are Impacted?
Federal Benefits
Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?
- Yes. During a government shutdown, recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will continue to issue original and replacement Social Security cards and process applications for benefits and appeals. Field offices will be open, and the national 1-800 number will be running.
- Based on previous government shutdowns, some Social Security services may be affected, such as benefit verifications and overpayment processing, which recipients often need when applying for assistance programs.
How will veterans be impacted?
- Veterans’ health care will not be affected by the shutdown. Benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
- Based on previous government shutdowns, access to some Veterans’ Affairs (VA) resources will be restricted, including outreach, career counseling, transition assistance, and cemetery grounds maintenance. Regional VA offices that serve the public will close.
- VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
- Call Centers: VA’s primary call center (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) will remain open 24/7. The VA Benefit Hotline (1-800-827-1000) will be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
Will I still receive my WIC or SNAP benefits for groceries?
- Unfortunately, the vast majority of the seven million participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will see an immediate reduction in benefits during the shutdown.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will continue to receive assistance as normal for the month of October but could be affected if the shutdown goes into November and later.
Will I still have access to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), including cash assistance?
- Because TANF is funded by the government but distributed by state agencies, this will depend on your state policy. During a government shutdown, it is likely that the federal government will need to halt its quarterly TANF payments to states, but state governments will have the option to continue providing benefits and services without interruption.
Public Spaces and Utilities
Will my mail still arrive?
- Yes. The approximately 500,000 Postal Service employees are exempt from “furlough” — meaning they will continue to go to work — because the Postal Service is self-funded.
Will public schools be affected?
- Some preschool and school readiness centers will close, leading to some children losing their Head Start benefits. Public elementary, middle, and high schools will be able to rely on state funding and continue to operate.
Will the shutdown impact public health?
- The federal government will suspend most safety inspections for drinking water, food, worksites, and hazardous sites. The agency responsible for food inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will continue inspections of food being imported from outside the country. However, it will need to halt inspections of domestic food, where the FDA often tests for salmonella in breakfast cereal, E.coli in romaine lettuce, and listeria in ice cream.
Will I be able to visit national parks, monuments, and museums?
- The majority of national parks will be closed during the shutdown, with the exception of parks that are physically accessible to the public, such as lookouts, campgrounds, trails, and open-air memorials. The National Mall in Washington, D.C. is an example of a federal park that will remain open.
- Bear in mind that federal staff will not be present to maintain park land during a shutdown. Museums operated by the federal government will close during the shutdown.
Will federal courts still be open?
- Federal courts are expected to remain open and continue operations for at least two weeks after a shutdown begins. In prior shutdowns, the federal judiciary had the ability to remain open in some capacity and avoid furloughs by balancing court fees and other funds not dependent on Congressional appropriations. Some court proceedings may be delayed, however, if a lawyer from the executive branch who is involved in the case is furloughed.
Financial Support and Federal Relief
Will assistance related to my federal student loans be affected?
- Key activities at Federal Student Aid will continue for a few weeks, but a prolonged shutdown could disrupt the agency’s ability to assist borrowers.
- A shutdown could also delay the process for students applying to the FAFSA and seeking financial aid. State and school-based financial aid may still be available, so reach out to your school for guidance.
Will the IRS be available for tax filings and tax refunds?
- If you are filing your 2024 taxes with a valid extension, you are still required to file by the October 16 deadline. You may experience significant delays in processing tax refunds due to staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown.
Will federal disaster relief be available to communities affected by hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters?
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should still respond to emergencies, but long-term projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding for the Disaster Relief Fund.
Will my small business be able to access federal loans?
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) will not provide new loans to any businesses.
- If you have an SBA loan, your repayments are still due, and it is a good idea to contact your lending institution and ask how the government shutdown affects your loan (SBA loans are provided through private lenders).
- SBA is likely to continue to issue disaster loans, since they did so during the 2018-2019 shutdown. However, you should expect the process of getting approved for a new EIDLs (Economic Injury Disaster Loans) to take a bit longer.
I am in the middle of buying a house. Will my Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured loan still close?
- FHA will have limited staff during a shutdown and the processing or closing of FHA-insured loans may be delayed. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more serious the impact will be. All FHA underwriting and processing requirements would remain in force during the government shutdown and no loan may be endorsed that does not fulfill those requirements.
- A shutdown may delay the processing or closing of your FHA-insured loan. Please contact your lender for the exact status of your FHA loan.
I am facing foreclosure on an FHA-backed loan. Does the clock stop?
- No. Most loss mitigation for homeowners facing foreclosure (including FHA loan modifications, FHA-HAMP, etc.) will continue.
Will I have access to federal rental and housing assistance during a shutdown, such as Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)?
- Households will continue to receive U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistance through the end of the year, but a longer shutdown may impact access to rental assistance. If the shutdown ends before the end of December, funding for HUD rental assistance should continue as normal; Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, and Project-Based Rental Assistance are all funded on a calendar year cycle.
Interstate and International Travel
Will my travel plans be impacted?
- Although air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are all deemed essential, there could be significant delays and longer wait times for travelers at airports across the country. During the 2019 shutdown, several flights were canceled or delayed when Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and air traffic controllers called off work due to the loss in pay.
Can I apply for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check and Global Entry during the shutdown?
- During the 2018-2019 partial shutdown, TSA PreCheck applications were accepted. Global Entry appointments for enrollment, however, were canceled.
I have an upcoming international trip and need to request or renew a passport. What should I expect?
- The U.S. Passport Agency is expected to remain open during the shutdown and continue to issue passports. However, some offices and services may be limited if those offices are in buildings run by another agency that is shut down.
I am a United States’ citizen currently abroad. Will the local United States embassy be open?
- During the 2018-2019 partial shutdown, United States embassies remained open to some degree, but U.S. citizens living abroad should prepare for delays in any application or processing requests as staff furloughs may occur.
Questions about Government Employees and Wages
How many federal workers will be affected by the shutdown?
- More than four million federal workers are expected to miss some pay during the shutdown.
- On top of millions of federal workers going without pay, the Trump Administration is now using a potential shutdown as an excuse to unlawfully fire thousands of federal workers.
Who does and doesn’t get paid during a government shutdown?
- The majority of federal workers will not report to work during the shutdown and will not be paid until the shutdown ends. These furloughed workers will receive back pay when they return to work.
- Other federal workers who are deemed essential to public safety will report to work during a shutdown, but these workers will not be paid or receive back pay until the government starts up again. These workers include: In-hospital medical care, Air traffic controllers, Law enforcement, Military personnel Power grid workers.
- There are a few exceptions to which federal workers will report to work and will receive pay during the shutdown. This is because the agencies they work for are either self-funded, or they have received enough funding from the Republican’s Big Ugly Bill, or they are mandated by law to continue to receive pay, and therefore will continue to operate as normal.
I’m a federal worker, contractor, or I’m employed at a federal building that will not be open. Can I file for unemployment?
- If the government shuts down, federal workers and contractors who are furloughed or terminated contractors may apply for unemployment in the state where they work.
Visiting Washington D.C.
- Some popular attractions may be affected. We encourage you to reach out to the office of the attraction you’re interested in visiting for more information.
- Capitol tours will not be offered. If you’ve booked a tour through our office and wish to reschedule, please contact us at 202-225-8220.