Government Shutdown Information
Government Shutdown Information
After President Trump and Congressional Republicans—who control both chambers of Congress—failed to pass a single appropriations bill, funding for the federal government expires on September 30. I am working to keep critical services up and running for families in our community while lowering health care costs. Sadly, Republicans refuse to work with Democrats and continue to insist on cutting millions of Americans' health care.
To help you navigate the Republican shutdown, my office has prepared answers to these frequently asked questions. You can also contact my office at (202) 225-2665.
What a Federal Government Shutdown Might Mean For You
- Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?
- Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
- What is the impact on veterans' services?
- Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?
- Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?
- What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
- Will my mail still arrive?
- Will commercial air travel be affected?
- What is the impact on small businesses?
- What is the impact on federal housing loans?
- What is the impact on disaster relief efforts?
- What is the impact on food safety activities?
- Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?
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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 some activities like benefit verifications and processing overpayments and the public will likely experience increased wait times for customer service.
Return to Top - Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
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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.
Return to Top - What is the impact on veterans' services?
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All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits.
Return to Top - Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?
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Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.
Return to Top - Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?
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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 are retroactively paid for the duration of the shutdown upon its conclusion. Donald Trump has threatened to use the government shutdown as an excuse to needlessly fire thousands of federal workers.
Return to Top - What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
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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 affected. On-base childcare was open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement was also required to work. Both military personnel and federal law enforcement will not be paid until after the shutdown is over.
Return to Top - Will my mail still arrive?
- Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown. Return to Top
- Will commercial air travel be affected?
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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.
Return to Top - What is the impact on small businesses?
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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.
Return to Top - What is the impact on federal housing loans?
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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.
Return to Top - What is the impact on disaster relief efforts?
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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.
Return to Top - What is the impact on food safety activities?
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In prior shutdowns, some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities — such as routine inspections of facilities — were delayed.
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