Government Shutdown FAQs
As your Member of Congress, I want to ensure you have the information you need regarding the 2025 federal government shutdown and how it might affect you. Below are some frequently asked questions about a shutdown and key information you need to know.
What is a federal government shutdown?
The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills to fund government operations before the next fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2025.
What happens when the government shuts down? Do federal employees still get paid?
Each government agency has its own procedures for a shutdown. Many agencies have to stop or reduce their services due to lack of funding.
Federal employees are either furloughed — meaning prohibited from work and unpaid — or required to work without pay. When the government reopens, federal employees will receive immediate back pay. Government contractors usually do not receive back pay after shutdowns.
What government services continue during a shutdown?
Essential services related to national security and public safety will continue, though they may face disruptions. Essential services include inpatient and emergency medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, border security, disaster aid, and power grid maintenance.
Due to staffing shortages during a shutdown, there could be delays to many federal services, including food assistance, small business loan applications, water quality and food safety inspections, as well as at the IRS, leading to longer refund processing times and phone wait times.
What if I need help with a federal agency during a shutdown?
During a shutdown, many federal departments and agencies furlough workers, so they could be short on staff to help you.
Our offices remain open and able to help you navigate issues with federal agencies. To get help with a federal agency, submit a request here or call one of our district offices: the Flint office at (810) 238-8627 and the Saginaw Township office at (989) 898-6060.
Will I continue to receive my Social Security payments?
A shutdown should not affect your Social Security benefit payments.
However, new benefit verification and card issuance services stop during a shutdown, meaning new recipients could see delays in processing their claims.
Will the shutdown affect Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicare and Medicaid should continue during a shutdown, but you could experience difficulty reaching these agencies as staff are furloughed. Some communications from the agencies could be stalled or outdated.
Will the government still deliver mail?
All U.S. Postal Service activity will continue during the shutdown.
I serve in the military — how will the shutdown affect me?
During a shutdown, all military personnel will continue their usual duty serving our country. However, they will not be paid until the shutdown ends.
Will veterans still be able to get treatment at VA or access other services?
There should be no impact on Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, and almost all of VHA employees will remain on the job. Access to benefits under the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) should also continue.
VHA employees performing medical and prosthetic research will be furloughed.
Will immigration applications still be processed during the shutdown?
Visa and passport operations are not normally impacted by a shutdown. Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed, while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when the government reopens.
How does the shutdown affect small business loans?
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will not accept, review, or approve any new business loans for small businesses.
What does the shutdown mean for my student loans?
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans will continue as long as remaining funding lasts, however the staff needed to carry this out will be reduced.
Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans will continue for a limited time, but if the shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities could run out of funding.
I have travel plans in D.C. during the shutdown — will my trip be impacted?
Many attractions in D.C. will be closed during the shutdown, including tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building. Smithsonian museums may also be impacted, while open-air parks and monuments will likely remain accessible. Please feel free to contact our office at (202) 225-3611 for assistance on making the most of your trip.
Will the shutdown affect travel to places other than D.C.?
You will still be able to travel during the shutdown. TSA officers and air traffic controllers continue to work — though without pay, so please have patience with any delays.
Passport applications should still be processed during a shutdown. All services at international embassies and consulates should also continue. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
National parks and other public lands will remain partially open during this shutdown. Open-air sites will remain open to the public, while buildings that require staffing will be closed. Health and safety operations will continue for sites that are open, but there will be limited emergency/rescue services.
When will the shutdown end?
To reopen the government, Congress must pass new funding legislation, and the President must sign it into law. The funding bills follow the traditional legislative process, requiring approval from both the House and Senate before the President can sign them into law.