Federal Government Shutdown

What Happens During a Federal Government Shutdown?

Frequently Asked Questions

During a federal government shutdown, authorities will still enforce laws, respond to emergencies, and maintain our national defense. However, even a partial government shutdown will have serious effects on our daily lives. Certain government programs will be impacted, resulting in a range of disruptions in essential services.

Depending on the length of federal employees' furloughs, issues like automated bill payments, retirement benefits, health care services, or pre-scheduled travel plans may be impacted.

Throughout the shutdown, my office will remain open. My staff will be available by appointment to assist all of our constituents with matters dealing with federal agencies. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can call my office directly at 202-225-8699 or email us at CaseworkMD04@mail.house.gov.

We cannot know the full impact of a partial government shutdown in advance, but here’s what we know based on current information and past shutdowns.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current Contingency Plans on each agency’s website for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations.

Federal Workers and Retirees

What happens if I am furloughed during the shutdown?

Furloughed employees can apply for unemployment benefits in the state or district where they work. D.C.’s Department of Employment Services and Maryland’s Department of Labor have resources that can guide you through the application process. Both Departments are anticipating a severe increase in applications in the event of a government shutdown and may cause delays in processing claims.
For more information, OPM has guidance on its website for employees furloughed during a government shutdown.

Will federal employees be paid?

Essential and nonessential workers are not required to be paid during a shutdown. Until appropriations are passed that provide funding to the department or agency for which an employee works, they will not be paid for the duration of the shutdown.
Since 2019, all essential and nonessential federal employees have been guaranteed retroactive backpay once the federal government is funded again. However, federal contractors are not guaranteed back pay

Can I be fired during the shutdown?

Unfortunately, the federal government can implement reductions in force (RIFs) during a shutdown. President Trump and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought have expressed their desire to fire federal employees during the shutdown as a way to advance their attacks on the civil service. I will continue to monitor this ongoing situation to make sure I can provide the best resources and support to any federal workers who are fired during a shutdown.

I am a federal government retiree. Will I receive my pension?

During past shutdowns, federal retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) continued to receive their scheduled annuity payments on the first business day of the month.
Effective on January 1, 1987, FERS includes most federal employees; the CSRS system generally covers federal workers hired before 1984.

Social Services

Will I receive my Social Security payments?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will continue to process and mail checks and perform disability determinations. Much of these processes are automated and will remain unaffected by a shutdown.
SSA will continue activities critical to direct-service operations and those needed to ensure accurate and timely payment of benefits. SSA may cease activities not directly related to the accurate and timely payment of benefits or not critical to direct service operations. The type of casework that will remain ongoing will depend on shutdown guidance.
Customer service wait times may increase dramatically.

Will I still be able to see my doctor if I am on Medicaid or Medicare?

Yes. Existing Medicare and Medicaid patients would still be able to see their health care providers, and those providers will continue to submit bills and receive payment for their services.
Customer service wait times may increase dramatically.
The Social Security Administration will not be able to print new or replacement Medicare cards. But recipients can print their own cards through their Medicare account.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Contingency Plan here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations.

I rely on food assistance programs to feed my family. What should I expect?

Certain programs within the nutrition safety net, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and, the Child Nutrition (CN) programs will continue operations during a lapse in appropriations. It is unclear how long operations will continue since they are dependent on the amount of funding remaining from previous appropriations.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may be at risk in the wake of a prolonged government shutdown. If a shutdown lasts more than a few days, this program may cease due to a lack of federal funds.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current USDA Contingency Plans by Agency here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations.

Will unemployment benefits continue during a federal government shutdown?

Yes. Unemployment compensation is a federal-state program administered by state agencies and will not be affected by a shutdown.

What about my Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claim?

In the event of a federal government shutdown, the EEOC staff will likely not be available to answer questions or respond to correspondence. Mediation and public events will likely be canceled.
EEOC will halt operations for all online constituent services, including federal-sector hearings and appeals and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing, except for keeping the public portal open so individuals can enter inquiries.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current EEOC Contingency Plan here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations.

Veterans & Military

Yes. Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals will remain open.
Similarly, the Military Health System (MHS) will continue to operate, as will private-sector coverage under TRICARE. Patients should contact their hospitals or clinics to confirm appointments. There may be delays in scheduling new appointments.
There may be some elective procedures that are postponed.
Call centers and hotlines may be temporarily closed, and customer service wait times may increase dramatically.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current Department of Veterans Affairs Contingency Plan here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations.

I am a veteran and/or military retiree. Will I receive my pension?

The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
Services that may cease include education and job training, support for veteran-owned businesses, and assistance for burials in VA national cemeteries.
Military retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits, but processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.

I am a disabled veteran. Will I receive my benefits on time?

The VA will continue to process disabled veterans’ benefits. However, other services may cease.
Processing new applications or other requested changes may be delayed.

I receive VA life insurance payments. Can I expect to receive my VA life-insurance payments on time?

Yes. VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered.
Customer service wait times may increase dramatically.

What other VA programs will be impacted by a shutdown?

VA will not provide veteran career counseling or transition assistance program activities.
The GI Bill Hotline will be closed, and VA benefits regional offices will be closed.
VA will cease public affairs and outreach to veterans.
VA will not permanently place headstones or maintain the grounds at VA national cemeteries, will not process applications for pre-need burials, and will not print new presidential memorial certificates.

Justice

Are federal courts still open?

Criminal litigation is likely to continue without interruption as an activity essential to the safety of human life and the protection of property. Since criminal litigation will continue, domestic and international extraditions – also necessary to protect life and property – will therefore continue
Civil litigation will likely be curtailed or postponed to the extent that this can be done without compromising to a significant degree the safety of human life or the protection of property. The Department will likely limit its civil litigation staffing to the minimum level needed to comply with court orders and to protect life and property. Receipt of summonses, pleadings, and motions by mail may be delayed.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current Department of Justice Contingency Plan here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations.

Housing and Urban Development

How will the shutdown affect HUD and homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages?

Most loss mitigation for homeowners facing foreclosure (including FHA loan modifications, FHA-HAMP, etc.) will continue.
For a variety of housing questions, the Housing and Urban Department (HUD)/FHA Resource Center: (800) CALL-FHA (225-5342), and the HUD/FHA National Servicing Center: (877) 622-8525 will be available.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has not published updated details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations

Can I still file a housing discrimination complaint?

You will be able to submit housing discrimination complaints during the shutdown. But your complaint will not be assessed until the government reopens. Complaints will be considered filed as of the date received by the Department.

I am planning to travel and need a passport. What should I expect?

Passport applications will continue to be processed during a shutdown. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all of Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a shutdown.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the accessibility of passport services may be constrained based on geographical location. Passport services offered in facilities managed by other agencies subject to closure may be affected.
Consular operations domestically and abroad will remain 100 percent operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations. This includes passports, visas, and assisting U.S. citizens abroad. If a passport agency is located in a government building affected by a lapse in appropriations, the facility may become unsupported.

Travel Concerns

I am planning to travel and need a passport. What should I expect?

Passport applications will continue to be processed during a shutdown. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all of Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a shutdown.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the accessibility of passport services may be constrained based on geographical location. Passport services offered in facilities managed by other agencies subject to closure may be affected.
Consular operations domestically and abroad will remain 100 percent operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations. This includes passports, visas, and assisting U.S. citizens abroad. If a passport agency is located in a government building affected by a lapse in appropriations, the facility may become unsupported.

I am a U.S. citizen living abroad. Will my local U.S. embassy be open?

Yes. All U.S. embassies and consulates abroad will be operational for national security reasons.
However, U.S. citizens living abroad should prepare for delays in any application or processing requests as staff furloughs may occur.

What is happening at the airport?

Air travel and security may be impacted by the shutdown, and travelers should arrive early for any departures and prepare for delays in clearing customs. You may experience some longer times at TSA or delays/cancellations due to staffing issues.
All aviation security workers – air traffic controllers, animal and plant inspectors, aviation safety experts, Customs and Border Patrol officials, and Transportation Security Agency officers – are likely to be essential employees working without timely pay, which may lead to staffing issues at airports

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please navigate to travel.state.gov for passport and visa services, travel advisories, and updated information about the lapse in appropriations' impact on travel services at the State Department.

Immigration

If I have an interview or appointment with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), should I attend? Can I still apply for a visa?

The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) uses fees to fund many operations and expects to continue with scheduled interviews and appointments. Please call 1-800-375-5283 for additional information.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current Department of Homeland Security Contingency Plan here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations

Can I use e-Verify to check the status of a potential employee?

E-Verify may be suspended during the shutdown.

Other

What will happen to schools, including colleges and universities?

Schools will continue to operate as usual. However, an extended shutdown could affect colleges, universities, school districts, and vocational rehabilitation agencies that depend on federal funds to support key services and programs.
Basic operations for Pell Grants and Direct Student Loans will continue for a limited time. However, students should contact their colleges or universities with specific questions about federal financial aid, including pending awards for incoming students.
Some basic operations (such as processing Free Applications for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, disbursing Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing federal student loans) could continue for a limited time. These operations could also experience some level of disruption due to the lapse in funding. Customer service wait times are expected to increase dramatically.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current Department of Education Contingency Plan here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations

Can I get taxpayer assistance from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) personnel during the shutdown?

The IRS will experience significant staffing limitations during a government shutdown. Essential IRS operations will continue, but tax refunds may be delayed. It will likely be difficult to get timely taxpayer assistance, and Social Security number verification requests may delay loan approvals.

What is the impact of the shutdown on small businesses? Separate drop-down - ‘Other’
The IRS will experience significant staffing limitations during a government shutdown. Essential IRS operations will continue, but tax refunds may be delayed. It will likely be difficult to get timely taxpayer assistance, and Social Security number verification requests may delay loan approvals.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current IRS Contingency Plan here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations.

What is the impact of the shutdown on small businesses?

In general, National Park Service sites will be closed during the period of a lapse in appropriations. This means that the majority of National Park sites will be closed completely to public access. Areas that, by their nature, are physically accessible to the public will face significantly reduced visitor services.
Accordingly, the public will be encouraged not to visit National Park sites during the period of a government shutdown. Visitors may use Recreation.gov for more information on reservation policies, including cancellation procedures.
In previous shutdowns, many national parks remained open for hiking, wildlife watching, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. may be open, but indoor facilities like the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Park, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Gallery of Art are likely to be closed.
The vast majority of National Park Service employees are furloughed. Campgrounds, concessions, and other services that require National Park Service staff will likely not be open.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current National Park Service Contingency Plan here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations.

What is the impact on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) food safety activities?

In past shutdowns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) activities funded through carryover user fee funding will continue, including certain activities related to the regulation of human and animal drugs, biosimilar biological products, medical devices, and tobacco products. All vital FDA activities related to imminent threats to the safety of human life will also continue.

Note: Current agency guidance may be different than that of previous government shutdowns due to unprecedented directives from the Trump administration. Please find the most current FDA Contingency Plan here for more details on agency operations during a lapse in appropriations.

Will my mail delivery continue?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services and not by tax dollars.

What should I expect if I am applying for a federal grant?

The government shutdown will have impact on new applicants and noticing new grant proposals. It is likely that the review and awarding process will be delayed for new grants due to the limited number of federal agency staff available. Some agencies may be prohibited from distributing grant award money.
The Grants.gov System will be open and operating during the federal government shutdown. The Grants.gov Contact Center will also remain available and provide assistance to callers during their normal operating hours of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except for Federal holidays. The Contact Center phone number is 1-800-518-GRANTS. The Contact Center can also be reached by email at Support@Grants.gov.

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