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 help you navigate the ongoing federal government shutdown and plan for any impacts, my office has prepared answers to these frequently asked questions.
If you have reviewed the frequently asked questions below and you need direct help with a federal agency, you can follow the instructions on my “Help With a Federal Agency” page to request individual constituent assistance: LINK.
Thank you for your patience as responses to congressional inquiries may be delayed during the shutdown, and some agencies will not be able to respond to our inquiries until normal operations have resumed.
As always, you can contact me: LINK.
Please note: This information is based on what is currently available from federal agencies and will be updated to reflect changes.
Why does the federal government shut down?
A federal government shutdown occurs when Congress is unable to pass the funding bill, known as appropriations, that keeps the federal government open and operational into the next fiscal year, which begins on October 1.
What is the process to end a federal government shutdown?
To end a government shutdown, the President must sign appropriations legislation passed by Congress that funds federal agencies and Departments. It must be approved by both the House and Senate before the President can sign the bill into law, which then enacts the flow of funding to reopen government and essential services.
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, although some administrative services such as processing new applications or appeals may be delayed. The Social Security Administration (SSA), which handles Medicare cards, will no longer be able to issue replacement Medicare cards. Medicare beneficiaries can create or log into their Medicare account online to access and print their Medicare card.
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.
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 compensation, but must continue to certify 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”)?
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that SNAP beneficiaries will not receive November food assistance. While there is ongoing litigation on this decision by the Administration, an outcome has not been determined yet on these frozen benefits.
For San Franciscans, the City Government will temporarily support the 112,000 San Franciscans who utilize SNAP benefits – also known as “CalFresh”—in the meantime. San Franciscans who are enrolled in CalFresh will receive mail within the first week of November with instructions for accessing digital or physical prepaid cards that are pre-loaded with funds that can be used at grocery stores citywide.
WIC has very limited resources and assistance will be available for a short time, but it is not certain that benefits will continue in an extended government shutdown beyond October, absent action taken by the Administration to provide emergency funding and resources.
All Californians can dial 211 for immediate information on local food resources, pantries and meal programs.
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, but will not be paid. Some airports may experience staffing shortages. Please be sure to check with your carrier ahead of any planned commercial air travel.
Will my mail still arrive?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown, but it is possible that you might experience delays or delivery interruptions.
What happens to my federal student loans and student loan assistance tools?
Free Applications for Federal 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, K-12 school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages.
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 my office here: LINK.
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 benefits 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. There will be no printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates.
While several call centers will remain operational— including 800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), 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.
What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
All active-duty servicemembers – including Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders – are exempted and therefore are required to work, however it is not guaranteed that they will get paid. Health care on bases for non-acute issues 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 is also required to work. Both military personnel and federal law enforcement will not be paid until after the shutdown is over.
Will my tax return still be processed?
Taxpayers must continue to file and pay taxes as normal. All tax deadlines remain in effect, including those covering individuals, corporations, partnerships and employers. The regular payroll tax deadlines remain in effect as well. The IRS will continue processing payments received, whether by check or electronic means, during this period. Taxpayers can file their tax return electronically or on paper –– although the processing of paper returns will be delayed until full government operations resume. Payments accompanying paper tax returns will still be accepted and deposited as the IRS receives them. IRS walk-in Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) will be closed. For people with appointments at a Taxpayer Assistance Center, all of these will be cancelled until the government reopens.
The public will likely experience delays with customer service online and over the phone. Congressional inquiries on behalf of individual taxpayers will not be processed until after the shutdown.
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. Please check the individual federal agencies for their contingency plans in the event of a lapse in funding to learn more about federal employee impacts.
I have a hearing or matters with a federal court. Are they open in a shutdown?
Beginning on Monday, October 20, the judicial branch announced it will no longer have funds to sustain full, paid operations. Until the ongoing lapse in government funding is resolved, federal courts will continue to hear cases and maintain limited operations necessary to perform their constitutional duty. Individual courts will determine which cases will continue on schedule, and which may be delayed.
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 and existing loans are not affected.
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.
Are the National Parks or national forests open during a shutdown?
Some park sites and facilities are closed during a government shutdown. U.S. Forest Service and national forest recreation sites remain open during the Federal government lapse in funding, however, some services may be limited or unavailable. Annual seasonal closures at specific locations can also be expected due to the change in weather. Please contact or research individual locations – both National Parks and USFS sites – before visiting as both agencies might experience staffing shortages.
I am visiting DC in November. Are tours still available?
Smithsonian museums, including the National Zoo, are closed to the public until further notice. While some federally funded attractions, sites, and museums are closed, others may offer limited access.
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. For more information from the White House, please read their official statement.