Government Shutdown
Frequently Asked Questions
Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have forced a government shutdown because they refuse to protect Americans’ health care. Democrats’ message is clear: we want to keep government open, lower costs for working families and end Republicans’ sabotage of affordable care. Funding for the federal government expired at midnight on October 1, 2025. To better help you plan for any impacts of a federal government shutdown, my office has prepared answers to these frequently asked questions. As always, you can contact me here: LINK.
Please note: This information is based on what is currently available from federal agencies and will be updated to reflect changes.
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 some 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.
Will I still be able to enroll in health care or will that be impacted by a government shutdown?
The federal insurance marketplace open enrollment will continue. Open Enrollment will proceed as normal from November 1 through January 15. Enrollment stays open, though you might experience slower service.
What is the impact on VA and services for Veterans?
VA health care will not be affected by a government shutdown and VA’s medical facilities, clinics and vet centers will remain fully operational. VA will continue to process and deliver Veterans’ benefits, including compensation, pension, education and housing benefits. Suicide prevention-- including the Veterans Crisis Line, homelessness and caregiver programs will continue. Burials will still occur at VA national cemeteries and applications for headstones, markers and burial benefits will be processed. Lastly, the Board of Veterans Appeals also will continue to work on decisions for Veterans' cases.
VA benefit regional offices - including in Oakland - will be closed and unable to fulfill in-person appointments. VA will not be able to permanently place headstones at VA national cemeteries or maintain the cemetery grounds during a shutdown and will halt processing applications for pre-need burials.
While several call centers will remain operational— including 800-MyVA411, there will be limited hours for the VA Benefit Hotline (800-827-1000) from 8am to 9pm (eastern standard time) and the National Cemetery Applicant Assistance and GI Bill Hotlines would be closed during a government shutdown.
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 are retroactively paid for the duration of the shutdown upon its conclusion. Donald Trump has threatened to needlessly fire thousands of federal workers during a shutdown, as he has been trying to do all year.
What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
All active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders are excepted and therefore are required to work. On-base non-acute health care may cease, but off-base care provided through Tricare is not affected. On-base child care is 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.
Will my mail still arrive?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.
I have a hearing or matters with a federal court. Are they open in a shutdown?
Federal courts will continue to operate during a shutdown. Courts will continue to hear cases and discharge their constitutional duty even once their funding, including court fees and reserve funds, have lapsed.
Will commercial air travel be affected?
Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain 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?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations.
What is the impact on federal housing loans?
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will stop insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will stop processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will also stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans.
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?
Some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities — such as routine inspections of facilities — will be delayed.
Will I continue to receive my unemployment insurance and compensation in a shutdown?
You can still file claims for unemployment insurance (UI) during a federal shutdown, including furloughed federal employees. Current recipients should continue to receive their compensation, but must continue to certify their weekly claims online or by phone.
Will I still receive my food assistance, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (“WIC”)?
Yes, SNAP beneficiaries should still receive their October benefits even if a government shutdown occurs. However, benefits in November could be delayed or interrupted if the government shutdown lasts for several weeks, depending if and how the Administration uses remaining and available funding at USDA. WIC has very limited resources and assistance will be available for a short time, but it is not certain in an extended government shutdown that benefits will continue.
What happens to my federal student loans and student loan assistance tools?
Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans continue to be dispersed in a government shutdown, but for a limited time. In the case of a prolonged shutdown, beyond October, K-12 school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to the shutdown.
Will immigration applications still be processed?
Visa and passport operations are not impacted by a government shutdown. Immigration court cases on the detained docket still proceed during a government shutdown, while non-detained docket cases will be rescheduled to a later date once the government reopens. Further, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are largely still operational during a shutdown, though processing times and inquiry response times may be impacted by reductions in staff. Department of State and USCIS can process congressional casework inquiries from my office, but CBP will not be able to process or respond to the inquiries until the government reopens. If you need further assistance, please contact me here:LINK.
I am visiting DC in October. Are tours still available?
Smithsonian museums, including the National Zoo, are temporarily open during the government shutdown. It is expected that the 17 museums in the Washington, DC area will operate through Monday, October 6.
Tours of the U.S. Capitol, FBI headquarters, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the U.S. Botanic Garden are closed to the general public during a government shutdown. If you have additional questions or need to reschedule, please contact my office on my website: https://pelosi.house.gov/services/tours-and-tickets or call my DC office at (202) 225-4965.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing will be open for tours.
Beginning on September 1st, 2025, the White House began extensive renovations. As a result, all tours of the White House are postponed indefinitely. Therefore, our office is not able to facilitate the scheduling of White House tours at this time. For more information from the White House, please read their official statement.