Government Shutdown FAQs
My team and I will be working through this government shutdown. We will continue to assist constituents with federal agencies, but agency responses may be delayed. If you are having issues with a federal agency, please contact my office at 605-275-2868 or by visiting help with a federal agency on my website. Below are answers to common questions and other essential details.
What is a government shutdown?
- A shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal agencies and programs by the fiscal year deadline (September 30), leading to a lapse in authorized funding.
- Agencies implement contingency plans: non-essential employees are furloughed (unpaid leave), while essential personnel continue working without pay; services deemed non-critical are suspended or reduced.
- Shutdowns can be partial or full, affecting annual appropriation-funded agencies but not fee-funded or independently operated ones like the U.S. Postal Service.
- Impacts vary by agency, with plans available via the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) website for the latest details.
How can I get help during a shutdown?
- Contact my office to assist with federal agency issues. We will continue submitting inquiries and paperwork despite furloughs.
- For mental health support, call 988 Suicide Lifeline for 24/7 confidential counseling.
- Check agency contingency plans on Miscellaneous – OMB – The White House for updates; communicate with your agency if a federal employee.
I have an issue with a federal agency; can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?
- During a federal government shutdown, many federal departments and agencies furlough workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing.
- You can contact my office to open a case for you, and we can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they re-open at the conclusion of a shutdown.
- During a shutdown, my office will continue to submit inquiries to federal agencies including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases.
Will I continue to receive Social Security, SSI, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits?
- Social Security and SSI: Payments continue uninterrupted; limited SSA services like card issuance and benefit applications persist, but verifications, overpayment processing, and customer service face delays and longer wait times.
- Medicare and Medicaid: Benefits and coverage continue (assuming the shutdown lasts less than three months), including open enrollment starting October 15. However, contacting agencies may be difficult due to furloughed staff, and some communications could be delayed or outdated.
Do Veterans receive benefits during a government shutdown?
- Many crucial benefits and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continue for veterans during a government shutdown.
- Essential functions include:
- Benefits processing like compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits
- Veteran healthcare, to include the Veterans Crisis Line
- Burials at VA national cemeteries
- The Board of Veterans' Appeals will continue to process appeals during a shutdown to ensure Veterans' requests and concerns are addressed in a timely manner
- Essential functions include:
- It is important to note that a government shutdown will lead to some restrictions and disruptions and could affect the following areas for veterans:
- The VA cannot conduct public affairs outreach activities during a government shutdown; this means that some veterans may not receive the usual level of communication and support from the VA they might be used to.
- VA regional offices are often closed during a government shutdown which may affect in-person services.
- Operations like career counseling and transition assistance and cemetery grounds maintenance may be unavailable as they are often considered non-essential.
How are Active-Duty service members affected?
- Active-Duty service members will not be paid until Congress reaches an agreement on government spending or if Congress passes legislation explicitly authorizing military pay.
- Services on military installations, such as childcare centers and commissaries, could face operational adjustments or closures depending on the length of the shutdown and the specific funding sources.
- In past government shutdowns, schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) were deemed essential and to remain open during the regular school year. However, sporting events and extracurricular activities, including sports practices might be paused unless the activity is fully funded by other means.
- If your child goes to day care at on on-base Child Development Center (CDC), it is recommended to call and check for closures. Some centers might remain open, while others will likely close on a case-by-case basis.
What about food assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, and Head Start?
- SNAP: Benefits continue for at least 1-month post-shutdown (e.g., until resources run out); prolonged shutdowns risk disruptions for recipients.
- WIC: Benefits may be delayed or suspended. State/local operations continue only until resources deplete; prolonged shutdowns risk serious disruptions for millions of recipients.
- Head Start: Grants cannot be awarded; impacts worsen over time for childcare support. You should contact your child’s Head Start program for further guidance.
What is the impact on food safety activities?
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will delay food safety inspections for a wide variety of products all across the country.
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meat, poultry, and egg inspections will continue.
Will my mail still be delivered?
- Yes, all U.S. Postal Service operations continue unaffected, as it is an independent agency not reliant on annual appropriations.
How are student loans, small businesses, and housing affected?
- Student Loans: Payments remain required; processing for FAFSA, Pell Grants, and loan forgiveness may experience delays due to Department of Education staff furloughs.
- Small Businesses: The Small Business Administration halts new loans. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations.
- Housing: The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will have limited staff during a shutdown, and the processing or closing of FHA-insured loans may be delayed. 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.
Will travel, immigration, and tax services be impacted?
- Travel: Air traffic controllers, technicians, and other essential aviation professionals will stay on the job and continue to ensure that our aviation system remains safe, but they will do so without pay while the shutdown lasts. Many other FAA employees that support the system will be furloughed. TSA and CBP agents will also work without pay. Passport processing is unaffected and will continue. All services at international embassies and consulates continue during a shutdown. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Taxes: IRS operations (phone support, disputes, refunds) could be delayed.
How does this affect Americans overseas?
- Consular services, passport services, and visa services are expected to continue in the immediate aftermath of a government shutdown. In a prolonged shutdown, passport and visa issuance could be slowed. Access to passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.
What about disaster relief, environmental protection, and medical research?
- Disaster Relief: FEMA responds to emergencies, but long-term projects and Disaster Relief Fund activities will be delayed due to lack of funding. Furthermore NOAA, and by extension the NWS, will remain operational.
- Environmental Protection: Emergency and disaster assistance will continue with delays. Issuance of new grants and interagency agreements will cease unless necessary for excepted or exempted activities.
- Medical Research: NIH delays new clinical trials and may halt ongoing research; new patients turned away from treatments.
I have a trip to Washington, D.C. planned soon. What should I expect?
- During a government shutdown, the Capitol Visitor Center will be closed and there will be no public tours of the U.S. Capitol building.
- All Library of Congress buildings, the U.S. Botanic Garden, the White House, the National Archives, the U.S. Treasury, and the FBI Building will also be closed to the public.
- It is likely that some Smithsonian Museums will be closed to visitors; please check the website of your chosen museum for up-to-date information.
I would like to purchase a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. Can I still request one?
- No. The U.S. Capitol Flag Office will be closed during the shutdown. Flag requests cannot be processed .
I’m a federal retiree. Will I still receive my monthly annuity payment during a government shutdown?
- Yes, federal retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) will continue to receive their scheduled annuity payments on the first business day of the month.
- Contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan will be halted until the government reopens. Please check Lapse in Appropriations (government shutdown) | The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for updates.
I am a government contractor. What should I expect?
- New contracts or modifications are unlikely to be issued, and there will be delays in the acquisition process for procurements.
- Reach out to the contracting officer on each project as it is possible that some contracts will remain unaffected.
What is the impact on state and local services?
- With no new federal funding, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Please check with state and local agencies for specific questions.
Do furloughed employees get back pay?
- Yes, under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, all furloughed or unpaid essential workers receive immediate retroactive pay once funding resumes.
I’m a federal employee, what are some good resources for me during this shutdown?
- All Agency contingency plans.
- OPM Operating Status.
- OPM Shutdown Furlough Guidance.
- Thrift Saving Plan
- USAGov
- Department of Labor
- For agency-specific details, visit your department’s .gov site (e.g., www.dhs.gov, www.va.gov) and check their HR or shutdown resource pages.