Federal Government Shutdown: Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: This FAQ is based on information from prior shutdowns and currently available information from agencies. Ultimately, all decisions about agency operations are decided by Pres. Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which sends directives to all agencies.  The Trump administration has not been fully transparent with its shutdown plans and Pres. Trump has threatened to manipulate this shutdown for political revenge, to change agency operations significantly, and use civil servants as pawns with new mass firings. 

Funding for the federal government expired at midnight on October 1. I am working to reopen critical services for families in our community while lowering health care costs. Sadly, Republicans are continuing to push a partisan spending bill that takes health care away from millions of working families.

To help you navigate this federal government shutdown, my office has prepared answers to these frequently asked questions. You may also contact the White House at (202) 456-1414 if you have questions that aren’t addressed below.

During the current lapse in funding, the vast majority of VA benefits and services will continue uninterrupted, but the government shutdown is not without consequences to VA. Here is what you need to know:

The following critical Veterans care and assistance programs will be impacted by the government shutdown:

• VA should not provide Veteran career counseling or transition assistance program activities.
• The GI Bill Hotline will be closed.
• VA regional benefits offices will be closed.
• VA will cease public affairs and outreach to Veterans.
• VA will not permanently place headstones or maintain the grounds at VA national cemeteries.
• VA will not process applications for pre-need burials.
• VA will not print new presidential memorial certificates.

The government shutdown should not impact the following VA services:

• Veteran health care should not be impacted. VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will should remain open.
• VA benefits should continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
• Burials should continue at VA national cemeteries. Applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing should continue.
• The Board of Veterans’ Appeals should continue decisions on Veterans’ cases.
• VA Contact Centers (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) should remain open 24/7.

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

Recipients are expected to continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) should 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.

What is the impact on veterans' services?

All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics are expected to remain fully operational. The VA is also expected to continue to process veterans' benefits.

Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?

Military and federal retirees should 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 this new shutdown, in addition to those he fired earlier this 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 should not be 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 mail still arrive?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not expected to delay mail delivery.

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. However, other aviation safety personnel may be furloughed, so delayed safety inspections and certifications could have a negative impact on air travel.

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 is expected to 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 is expected to continue to guarantee home loans. HUD and USDA assisted households are expected to continue to receive their rent payment on time, through November. These households retain their rights, which must be upheld and enforced regardless of the government's operating status. 

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.

REPUBLICAN HEALTH CARE CRISIS

Myth: Action can wait because the health care tax credits don't expire until Dec. 31.

Fact: Notices will go out in the next few days that premiums have more than doubled. Millions will lose coverage or face skyrocketing costs starting in October.

Myth: Democrats want over $1 trillion of new spending on health care for illegal aliens.

Fact:  FALSE. Undocumented individuals cannot purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act or receive comprehensive Medicare or Medicaid coverage. No one is proposing to change that.

Myth: Democrats are taking $50 billion from rural hospitals.

Fact: FALSE. The Big, Ugly Bill cut Medicaid by $1 trillion and made up 5 percent of those cuts with a slush fund controlled by Republican politicians. Unless Congress acts, 338 hospitals across the country are at risk of closing.

Myth: Health care tax credits are too expensive.

Fact: If you use the same baseline that Republicans used with the Big, Ugly Bill, they wouldn't cost anything. Republicans raced to give tax breaks for the rich by July 4 for things expiring at the end of December, but have no urgency when it comes to lowering middle class families' health care costs.

Myth: Health care tax credits are benefiting rich people, even those making $600,000.

Fact: Unlike the Big, Ugly Bill's tax cuts for the rich, health care tax credits help middle- and low-income families. More than 90 percent of enrollees make less than $63,000 per year. No one making $600,000 is getting a tax credit.

Myth: Democrats will shut down WIC.

Fact: FALSE. Democrats want to increase funding for WIC. There has never been a disruption in WIC funding during a shutdown, and cutting off WIC is a choice by the Trump White House and his Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Myth: A shutdown will harm veterans.

Fact: Republicans have chosen to use veterans as a bargaining chip. New estimates show that 600,000 veterans will see health care premiums skyrocket if we do not extend the health care tax credits.

Myth: Democrats want $500 million for left-wing media.

Fact: FALSE. Democrats support reversing cuts that left local radio and TV stations unable to provide critical services, like emergency alerts, in rural areas. Many Republicans also support funding these lifesaving tools.

Myth: There is no more time to negotiate.

Fact: Republicans have refused to negotiate with Democrats for months. Congress can move very quickly when there is the will to do so. Democrats are ready to work through the night to keep government open or quickly end a shutdown. House Republicans are on vacation.

Myth: A shutdown will harm law enforcement officers working without pay.

Fact: Donald Trump has fired law enforcement officers, proposed massive cuts to federal law enforcement agencies and unilaterally terminated law enforcement and public safety grants across the country.

This included $800 million in grants for things like community violence prevention, services for victims of crime, juvenile justice programs and support for rural law enforcement agencies.

Myth: If the government shuts down, Democrats will be forcing thousands of civil service employees to be fired.

Fact: FALSE. This administration has already attempted to illegally fire hundreds of thousands of federal workers this year, many of whom they have had to hire back because they served critical government functions. Other cases are still being challenged in court by fired employees. The OMB Director announced his plan to fire workers who are furloughed, demoralizing the hardworking people who serve in our federal workforce. These threats continue the gutting of our federal civil service, with or without a shutdown.