Resources for Federal Government Shutdown

WHAT IS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN? 

• According to the Congressional Research Service, when Federal government agencies and programs lack budget authority after the expiration of either full-year or interim appropriations, they experience a “funding gap.”  

• Under the Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. §§1341 et seq.), they must cease operations, except in certain circumstances when continued activities are authorized by law. When there is a funding gap that affects many federal entities, the situation is often referred to as a government shutdown.  

• Due to the lapse in funding, many Federal agencies may have to furlough workers and would have limited capacity to work on cases.  

• However, Sen. Alsobrooks’ office remains open and ready to assist you.  

• Due to the shutdown, depending on decisions from the Trump Administration, some Federal agencies may not begin working on your case immediately, but our office will do our best to get you the assistance you need in a timely manner. 

WILL I STILL RECEIVE MY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?  

• Yes, according to the Social Security Administration, recipients will continue to receive Social Security benefits and SSI checks.  

WILL I STILL RECEIVE MY MEDICARE AND/OR MEDICAID BENEFITS?   

• Yes, Medicare and Medicaid recipients will still receive benefits. 

• However, you will not be able to get a new or replacement Medicare card, and benefit verifications will stop.  

WILL THE CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP) BE AFFECTED?  

• No. According to CMS’s FY26 contingency plan, CMS will maintain the staff necessary to make payments for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

WILL I STILL RECEIVE MY VETERANS’ BENEFITS?  

Per VA guidance, the following will not be impacted by the shutdown:   

• VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open as usual and providing all services.  

• VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.  

• Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries. Applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing will continue.   

• The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will continue decisions on Veterans’ cases.   

• Call Centers: The VA’s primary call center (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) are open 24/7.  

Per VA guidance, the following services will be impacted:  

• VA will not provide Veteran career counseling or transition assistance program activities.  

• Call Centers: The GI Bill Hotline (1-888-GIBILL-1) will be closed and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance (1-800-697-6947) hotline will be closed. 

• VA benefits regional offices will be closed.  

• VA will cease public affairs and outreach to Veterans, including social media, VetResources emails, and responses to press inquiries.  

• VA will not permanently place headstones or maintain the grounds at VA national cemeteries.  

• VA will not process applications for pre-need burials at VA cemeteries.  

• VA will not print new presidential memorial certificates.  

• VA will cease outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based, and community-based partners by the VA Central Office.   

For more information, please visit the VA’s website here.  

WILL ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICEMEMBERS BE PAID?  

• According to Department of Defense guidance, active duty servicemembers do not receive their paychecks during a shutdown but will continue working as they are deemed “essential.”  

• Servicemembers will receive back pay, but paycheck deposits will be delayed.   

• If you live in base housing, your services will remain intact. Schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) will remain open.   

• On-base Child Development Centers will close on a case-by-case basis. Please check locally for closures.  

• Civilian personnel who are necessary to carry out expected activities will continue to work, but also will not be paid, and some civilian personnel will be furloughed without pay.  

• USAA offers interest-free loans and Navy Federal Credit Union offers paycheck assistance to servicemembers and DoD civilians during a shutdown. 

WHAT HAPPENS TO SNAP/WIC BENEFITS?  

• USDA will continue to administer the SNAP program.   

• WIC operations will continue, though the program is low on funds and participants could experience disruptions if a shutdown lasts longer than a week, according to the National WIC Association.  

WILL HEAD START PROGRAMS CLOSE?  

• Most Head Start programs are not expected to be impacted by the Federal shutdown.   

WHAT HAPPENS TO FEDERAL LOANS DURING A SHUTDOWN?   

• The Pell Grant and Federal Direct Student Loan programs are considered mandatory, meaning the programs can still make payments during a shutdown.   

• However, staff may be furloughed, so assistance may be delayed.  

WHAT HAPPENS TO PROGRAMS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE?  

• According to USDA, the Department will continue operations related to: certain farm loan processing items, certain natural resource and conservation programs, core nutrition safety net programs, essential food safety operations (inspections and laboratory work) to protect public health, responding to and preparing for wildland fires, activities supported by user fees (including grading, assessment, inspection, import and export), animal and plant health emergency programs (including new world screwworm, highly pathogenic avian influenza, exotic fruit flies, African swine fever, and rabies), Section 521 Rental Assistance Program outlays of prior obligations, human resource policies and systems, critical IT infrastructure and cybersecurity, emergency operations, and national defense and homeland security readiness. 

• According to USDA, the Department will cease operations related to: payment processing, disaster assistance processing, technical assistance, contracts and agreements not related to exempted programs, financial management beyond funds management, regulatory work, travel, trainings, trade negotiations, timber sales, hazardous fuels treatments, special use permits, surveys for high-risk plant pests and diseases for certain swine, cattle, and aquatic animal diseases, long-term studies and research on animal diseases, research and report publications, website updates, data products, and the majority of Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Food and Nutrition Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistical Service, Rural Development, and Staff Office activities. 

• For more information about specific agencies, the USDA plan can be viewed here. 

HOW IS THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) IMPACTED? 

• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will pause most new business loan approvals and program support during a government shutdown — including 7(a) and 504 loans.   

• However, SBA’s disaster loan processing is expected to continue.  

• The SBA has published its “Plan for Operating in the Event of a Lapse in Appropriations – September 2025.” For more information, please visit the SBA’s website here.

WILL TSA SECURITY LINES BE LONGER AT THE AIRPORT?  

• Most TSA airport personnel and FAA air traffic controllers would be required to continue working, without pay, during a shutdown.  

• However, airports may experience longer-than-usual security lines, so please plan to arrive early for any travel.  

CAN I STILL GET A NEW PASSPORT DURING A SHUTDOWN?  

• Yes, passport applications will continue to be processed, but please note, response times may be longer than usual.  

CAN I STILL GET A GUIDED TOUR OF THE U.S. CAPITOL OR WHITE HOUSE?  

• Unfortunately, due to the federal shutdown, all federal buildings will be closed for the duration of the shutdown. If you have a tour booked of the Capitol, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, or Bureau of Engraving and Printing, your tours will be canceled and not automatically rescheduled unless you request to do so. Please contact my office at tours@alsobrooks.senate.gov or at 202-224-4524 with any questions. 

WILL NATIONAL PARKS REMAIN OPEN?  

• 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 would be affected – including visitor centers, educational programs, restrooms, trash collection, and road maintenance.   

WILL FEMA BE INTERRUPTED DURING A SHUTDOWN?  

• Per The Department of Homeland Security, the majority of FEMA employees will be retained during a shutdown.   
• Disaster Relief Fund activities, including response and recovery activities authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (“The Stafford Act”), will continue.