2025 Federal Government Shutdown: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Posted 9/29/2025 

Funding for the federal government currently expires on September 30. That means that absent new legislation passed by Congress and signed into law, the federal government will enter a shutdown beginning at 12:01 AM on Wednesday October 1, 2025. 

I am in Washington, ready to vote and working to keep critical services up and running for families in our community while lowering health care costs. Sadly, Republicans are continuing to push a partisan spending bill that takes health care away from working families. 

Without action by President Trump and Congress, many Affordable Care Act tax credits will expire at the end of the year. Approximately 38,000 people in our district could see their premiums increase by hundreds of dollars per year, beginning in 2026. 

Government Shutdown Information: What You Need to Know

In the event of a government shutdown, my DC and district offices will be available to assist you and your family.Our constituent services will continue, however there may be delays in processing casework due to agency policies. To help you plan for a possible federal government shutdown, my office has prepared answers to these frequently asked questions. You can also contact my office at 202-225-7032 or 216-522-4900. 

Note: the summary below is based on previous shutdowns. The Trump Administration has not released formal guidance on current agency plans.  My office is monitoring developments closely and calling on the Trump Administration to follow existing law regarding a lapse in appropriations. 
 

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks? 
Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will continue providing limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop activities like benefit verifications and processing overpayments and the public will likely experience increased wait times for customer service.  

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
Medicare, Medicaid and disability insurance will be largely unaffected by a shutdown lasting less than three months. Current beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits.

What will happen with SNAP and WIC? 
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will quickly run out of funding and be unable to provide food for children and parents in need. In the case of a prolonged shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may also be affected.

What is the impact on veterans' services?
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits.

Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?
Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.

Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?
When the government shuts down, federal agencies are required to classify their employees whose salaries have lapsed as either "excepted" or "not excepted." The employees classified as "excepted" work without pay during the shutdown.  The employees classified as "not excepted" are put on unpaid furlough. Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, all federal employees must be retroactively paid for the duration of the shutdown upon its conclusion. 

What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
In previous shutdowns, all active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders were excepted and therefore are required to work. On-base non-acute health care ceased, but off-base care provided through Tricare was not impacted. On-base child care was open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement was also required to work. Both federal law enforcement and military personnel will not be paid until after the shutdown is over. 

Will mail still be delivered?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.

Will commercial air travel be affected?
In prior shutdowns, air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents remained on the job. However, like all federal employees, they will not be paid until the shutdown is over.

What is the impact on small businesses?
In prior shutdowns, the Small Business Administration (SBA) stopped processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program continued regular operations.

What is the impact on federal housing loans?
In prior shutdowns, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) stopped insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stopped processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) also stopped new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans. 

What is the impact on student loans? 
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans should continue to be obligated and disbursed during a federal shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. The department staff needed to carry out these functions are significantly reduced during a shutdown. Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans should continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If a shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

What happens with passport and immigration applications?
Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and not normally impacted by a shutdown. Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. In past shutdowns the Department of Homeland Security has continued Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement staffing and operations. All services at international embassies and consulates should continue during a shutdown. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

What is the impact on disaster relief efforts?
FEMA staff will still respond to emergencies. In prior shutdowns, long-term projects were delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.

What is the impact on food safety activities?
In prior shutdowns, some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities — such as routine inspections of facilities — were delayed.

Will tax refunds be delayed? 
During previous federal shutdowns, taxpayer phone calls, taxpayer disputes and tax refunds were delayed.

Do national parks and monuments close? 
To date, NPS guidance has not been released. National Park closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. Smithsonian museums may also be impacted by a lengthy shutdown. Many services and facilities could be impacted – including visitor centers, educational programs, restrooms, trash collection, and road maintenance. There would also be limited emergency/rescue services and safety updates would not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits to national parks.

What about Capitol and White House tours? 
The tour guides and visitor centers of federal government buildings are considered non-essential and will be closed during a shutdown. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building will be canceled during a shutdown.