| Will air travel be affected? |
Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will remain on the job. However, like all federal employees, they will not be paid until the shutdown is over. TSA has also expressed “an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports.” |
| Will I continue to receive my Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (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 my Medicare or HUSKY benefits be affected? |
You will still receive Medicare, HUSKY, and disability insurance benefits assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months. There are more than 740,000 Medicare beneficiaries and more than 939,000 children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with disabilities that rely on HUSKY for their insurance. |
| Will my mail still arrive? |
Services should not be impacted by a shutdown. |
| Will I still receive my Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits? |
A shutdown risks loss of access to WIC nutrition assistance for nearly 7 million pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children. In the case of a prolonged shutdown, SNAP benefits may also be affected for the nearly 43 million Americans who rely on the largest nutrition assistance program in the country. |
| What is the impact on veterans’ services? |
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits. |
| 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 childcare 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. |
| What is the impact on federal housing loans? |
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will stop reviewing new mortgages that are elevated by lenders but in certain cases may continue to review mortgage applications submitted prior to the shutdown. 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; however, Disaster Relief Fund activities will continue operations. |
| Can I renew my passport? |
Passport renewal services by mail or online should not be affected. Check to see if you’re eligible to renew your passport online.
In person passport services should remain available, but, if located in a federal building, access to the office may be affected. |
| Will my small business be affected? |
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will not accept, review, or approve any new business loans for small businesses. Barring rare exceptions, small businesses cannot receive any new federal contracts. |
| Can I still visit National Parks and monuments? |
Services such as trash removal and general operations may be stopped. Closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis. |
| Will I receive my tax refund? |
During previous shutdowns, taxpayer phone calls, taxpayer disputes, and tax refunds were delayed. |
| 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. |
| Can I visit Washington, D.C. for tours? |
U.S. Capitol, FBI, White House, and the Library of Congress tours are suspended.
The Capitol’s flag office is closed. If you request a flag to be flown over the Capitol during the lapse in funding, your request will be delayed until the shutdown ends.
The National Mall remains open, as do open-air monuments, though the Washington Monument and visitor centers are closed. Smithsonian Museums, including the National Zoo, will be open at least through Monday, October 6th. |
