Government Shutdown Resources & FAQs

After weeks of Republicans’ inaction and unwillingness to work with Democrats on a bipartisan budget bill, funding for the federal government expired at midnight on October 1st, 2025, and our nation entered a government shutdown. 

My team and I are here to help, and we encourage residents of Virginia’s Fourth District to call our D.C. and district offices with questions or urgent matters. If you have casework concerns or need resources due to the shutdown, please call and/or leave a voicemail with our Richmond office at (804) 486-1840. You may also call our D.C. office at (202) 225-6365.

Virginia has the second highest number of federal employees of any state, so our Commonwealth will feel the effects of a government shutdown especially strongly within our economy and communities. I remain focused on helping those who now have to worry when they will receive their next paycheck and whether they can access critical services amidst a health care and affordability crisis. I stand ready to pass bipartisan government funding legislation that meets the needs of the American people and addresses a looming health care crisis.

See FAQs below to learn more about the effects of a government shutdown. Information is subject to change.

What is the process to end a government shutdown, and can the President unilaterally end it?

A government shutdown ends when Congress passes and the President signs legislation to fund the departments and agencies that have been shut down. Funding bills follow the same legislative process as any other bill.

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?

Yes. During a government shutdown, recipients continue to receive their Social Security checks.

What happens to my Medicare and Medicaid benefits?

Your Medicare or Medicaid coverage will not be immediately interrupted. However, a shutdown can cause administrative delays and longer call wait times for certain services. The Social Security Administration, which issues Medicare cards, cannot replace Medicare cards during a shutdown. Medicare beneficiaries can create or log into their Medicare account online to access and print their Medicare card.

What happens to my SNAP benefits?

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will continue for a limited period. USDA contingency funds cover SNAP benefits for approximately one month of a shutdown, but a prolonged shutdown could mean an interruption of SNAP benefits.

I am cosponsoring the Feed Our Families Act, which would appropriate three months of funding into the SNAP reserve fund.

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program will likely run out of remaining funding and may be unable to provide food for members of the program.

Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?

During a government shutdown, federal agencies categorize their employees as either “essential” or “non-essential.” Essential employees continue to work without pay during the shutdown. However, non-essential employees are furloughed without pay.   

Can I get a passport during the shutdown?

The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to process passport applications. However, you may experience delays receiving a passport if you live in an area where those services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is shut down.

Can I still visit national parks during the shutdown? 

Some national parks will remain open. However, some services such as restrooms, visitors’ centers, campgrounds, information kiosks, trash removal and interpretative programs are closed during the shutdown. The vast majority of National Park Service employees are furloughed. Additionally, law enforcement staffing is significantly reduced, which may put visitors’ safety at risk.

Will the Smithsonian Museums continue to be open during the shutdown?

The Smithsonian museums are closed during the shutdown.

Will my tours in Washington, DC still take place?

All U.S. Capitol, White House and FBI tours will be cancelled during the shutdown. Bureau of Engraving and Printing tours will still occur.

Where can furloughed employees get financial assistance during a government shutdown?

Furloughed employees can apply for Unemployment Insurance in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. Applicants must file for unemployment insurance in the state or district where they work. For instance, if your work station is in DC, but you live in Maryland, you must file for unemployment insurance in DC.

Various credit unions offer interest-free loans to federal employees affected by the shutdown. Individuals who believe they may be furloughed during a government shutdown can call to inquire about setting up an account.

• Congressional Federal Credit Union: Furloughed employees and those working without pay can apply for the “Relief Line of Credit” with an interest-free rate over 60 days.
• FedChoice: The Federal Credit Union offers several options in its Furlough Center, located at www.fedchoice.org.
• Navy Federal Credit Union: Impacted union members who have direct deposit of their government pay may be eligible for interest-free loans. Government contractors may be eligible if their direct deposit is received directly from the federal government and will be impacted by a government shutdown.
• U.S. Employees Credit Union: Impacted union members who have direct deposit of their government pay may be eligible for interest-free loans. According to its website, the Government Shutdown Loan is to be “repaid in 60 days or when the government processes back pay, whichever is sooner.”
• USAA: Impacted federal employees who have direct deposit set up for a USAA bank can qualify for a no-interest loan.

Do furloughed federal employees get back pay?

Yes. After the 2018-2019 shutdown, Congress passed legislation to guarantee back pay for all furloughed and essential federal employees. However, many may need to rely on credit cards or short term loans before they receive pay. I am cosponsoring the Pay Workers What They Earn Act to reimburse federal employees and contractors for any credit card or loan fees, interest or fines incurred during a shutdown through no fault of their own. Moreover, back pay is not guaranteed for the tens of thousands of federal contractors who may get furloughed during a government shutdown.

I am a cosponsor of the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act, which would ensure federal contract workers, including low-wage food service, janitorial and security service workers, are fairly compensated for the wages and benefits lost due to a lapse in appropriations. I also cosponsor the Pay Workers What They’ve Earned Act, which would ensure federal employees and contractors get reimbursed for fees, interests and fines incurred through credit or loans taken during the government shutdown.

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes. The Postal Service is self-funded, and approximately 500,000 Postal Service employees will continue delivering mail.

What is the impact on veterans’ services? 

During a government shutdown, all VA medical facilities and clinics remain fully operational. Various benefit functions under the Veteran Benefits Administration (e.g., pension claims, insurance processing and education benefit compensation claims) continue to operate, but may experience backlogs due to furloughed staff and reduced system capacity. However, VA call centers and hotlines cease to function, and Veterans Benefits Administration public contact services are not available. 

What is the impact on U.S. military personnel? 

All military personnel continue their normal duty status without pay. Civilian personnel who are necessary to carry out expected activities continue to work without pay. Non-essential civilian personnel will be furloughed. Additionally, medical and dental care remain available, but elective surgeries for military personnel will not be performed during the shutdown.

I am a cosponsor of the Pay Our Military Act, which ensures that all members of the Armed Forces, including reservists on active duty, civilian personnel at the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, and associated contractors will continue to receive their paychecks during a shutdown.

Will air travel be affected?                                                                                         

Travelers could face longer lines at airport security checkpoints and flight delays during a shutdown. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, some TSA agents and air traffic controllers did not report for work, causing delays at major airports. Additionally, passports will continue to be issued, but processing of applications may be delayed or halted in an extended shutdown or at certain locations.                            

What is the impact on small businesses?

A shutdown halts federal loans to small businesses. During a shutdown, the Small Business Administration ceases to approve applications for small businesses to obtain loans and loan guarantees. Moody’s Analytics estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown delayed over $2 billion in loans to small businesses.

What is the impact on federal housing loans?

During a shutdown, the Federal Housing Administration stops approving applications for housing loans.

What is the impact on food safety activities?

During a shutdown, the Food and Drug Administration is unable to support the majority of its food safety activities, as well as many of its other safety inspections.

What is the impact on the Centers for Disease Control?

During a shutdown, the CDC must significantly curtail its activities, including conducting flu and COVID surveillance and monitoring, promoting immunization, supporting state and local health departments and updating disease treatment and prevention recommendations.

How will this affect Citizenship and Immigration?                                                                                      

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices remain open. However, there will likely be delays due to limited staff in offices.  

What happens with my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)? 

During a government shutdown, the Thrift Savings Plan will continue its normal operations, and you do not need to take any further action. That means TSP participants can still make investments, withdrawals, apply for loans and take any other standard actions. If TSP participants miss a loan payment during a shutdown, they will not be placed in a default status on their loan. Automatic paycheck deductions for loans are also paused during a shutdown, but participants can still send in direct loan payments if they choose.

Many TSP participants might be experiencing financial hardship during a government shutdown. That’s why I am a cosponsor of legislation that would include “government shutdown” in the list of hardships allowing withdrawal from TSP and other retirement accounts without penalties. 

What happens with my student aid and federal student loans?

During a shutdown, the Department of Education will continue to disburse student aid, including Pell Grants, Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Federal Direct Student Loans. Student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt. If you are experiencing issues with your student loan services, contact your student loan provider.