Government Shutdown FAQ

Due to a lapse in government funding, the federal government entered a shutdown at midnight on September 30, 2025. Rest assured, I am diligently working hard to break the logjam in Congress and ensure that we fulfill our most fundamental responsibility. In the meantime, both my D.C. and Chicago offices are fully operational. Below, I have provided some answers to frequently asked questions about the shutdown. You can also call my DC office at (202) 225-4061 or my Chicago office at (773) 267-5926 with questions or to share your concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click to jump to a specific question or scroll down to read through all the information.

What causes a government shutdown?
The federal government shuts down when Congress fails to pass appropriations bills that finance the operations of federal agencies and programs, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This year, the Republican majority failed to pass these appropriations bills.

These appropriations bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. If a new appropriations bill isn't enacted by this deadline, Congress needs to pass a temporary measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which sustains the government's funding at its current level. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to a lack of authorized funding.

What government services and programs are impacted during a government shutdown, and what effect does this have on the public? 
A government shutdown, whether partial or full, impacts a variety of services and programs. Many services and programs are disrupted. Examples include:

  • Federal permitting, processing, and inspections (e.g., for small business loans, housing, and environmental permits) can stall.
  • Non-urgent agency operations like research, education grants, regulatory oversight, etc., may be paused.
  • Data collection and economic reporting (e.g., labor statistics, GDP reporting) may be suspended.
  • Courts and the judiciary may face operational constraints, especially for staff, although judges may continue to serve in some capacity under constitutional obligations.
  • Small business assistance and federal loans/guarantees may be delayed.

During the 2018-2019 partial government shutdown, the Food and Drug Administration suspended routine inspections, increasing public health risks. The National Park Service stopped trash collection and road repairs, creating unsanitary conditions and unsafe roads, while some national parks and museums closed entirely. Additionally, over 86,000 immigration court hearings were canceled, exacerbating existing backlogs. The shutdown also threatened the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in some states, putting low-income families and children at risk. These disruptions illustrate how shutdowns can detrimentally affect public services and society's most vulnerable members.

What government services and programs remain uninterrupted during a shutdown?
During a government shutdown, essential services related to national security and public safety, like inpatient and emergency medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, border security, disaster aid, and power grid maintenance, continue, though they may face disruptions. For instance, during the 2018-2019 shutdown, air traffic controllers worked without pay, causing widespread delays and even a temporary halt of incoming flights at LaGuardia Airport. Services independent of annual appropriations bills, such as the U.S. Postal Service and programs like Social Security and Medicare, also continue, but may experience interruptions. For example, during the Fiscal Year 1996 shutdown, most Social Security Administration staff were initially furloughed, leading to delays in services like public inquiries and benefit claims processing, even though Social Security benefits remained funded.

Will I continue to receive my Social Security?
A shutdown will not impact Social Security benefit payments. However, be aware that new benefit verification and card issuance services have ceased, which may result in delays in processing their claims. You may also experience difficulty reaching the Social Security Administration, as some employees may be furloughed.

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?
You should still receive your Medicare and/or Medicaid benefits. Medicare and Medicaid will continue for the foreseeable future, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies, as some employees are furloughed. The Medicare open enrollment period running from October 15, 2025, through December 7, 2025, will be unaffected, although communications from the agency may be stalled or outdated, and you should anticipate processing delays. 

Will Open Enrollment on Healthcare.gov still take place?
The federal insurance marketplace open enrollment will be unaffected. Open Enrollment will proceed as normal from November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026.

Is USPS still delivering mail?
You will continue to get your mail and packages. All services under the Postal Service will continue unimpacted throughout the government shutdown.

Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans can continue to be obligated and make disbursement during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. However, the Department staff needed to carry out and support these functions may be significantly reduced. Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If the shutdown continues for an extended period, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to the lapse of federal funding.

What happens to federal employees during a shutdown?
Federal employees from shut-down agencies are either furloughed—prohibited from work and unpaid—or required to work without pay if their roles are deemed essential to public safety. While Congress has traditionally approved retroactive payment for these employees once the government reopens, this does not prevent the immediate financial difficulties they face. During the 2018-2019 partial government shutdown, approximately 2 million people were employed by the federal government; 380,000 of them were furloughed, and 420,000 continued to work without pay. Many delayed mortgage or credit card payments, risking late fees or loan defaults. Government contractors, unlike direct federal employees, typically do not receive back pay after shutdowns. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, it's estimated that 4.1 million people worked under government contracts, though the exact number of those furloughed is unclear. 

President Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought have threatened to expand Reductions in Force (RIFs) in federal agencies if a government shutdown occurs. As we saw under Elon Musk’s DOGE, the administration has been engaging in mass firings all year, and Russ Vought has been planning a new round of layoffs for September 30 since at least February. I am vehemently opposed to using public servants’ livelihoods as a bargaining chip in government funding negotiations.

Do military personnel continue working?
The Department of Defense will continue to defend our nation, and all military personnel will continue their usual duties. However, our service members will not receive pay during the shutdown. It is unacceptable that the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation are going unpaid because of Republican chaos.

Can veterans still get treatment at the VA or access other services?
All functions within the Veterans Health Administration will continue, and veterans will continue to receive compensation and pension claims. Call centers, VA’s GI Bill, and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance hotlines will be closed. VA benefits regional offices will also be closed. Additionally, there will be no grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries, and applications for pre-need burial at VA cemeteries will not be processed. We also do not anticipate any outreach to State, county, faith-based, and community-based partners by the VA Central Office. 

During flu and COVID season, how are HHS or the CDC impacted by the shutdown?
HHS will continue to monitor disease outbreaks. However, we expect 40% of HHS employees to be furloughed. The CDC will continue its public health practices, including monitoring disease outbreaks, but we expect a majority of its staff will be furloughed. HHS has already seen 25% of its staff laid off this year.

Which federal facilities will be impacted by this government shutdown?
Among others, the following federal facilities may be affected in the event of a government shutdown:

  • Military bases, arsenals, depots, and federal armories
  • Veterans’ Affairs medical facilities
  • Federal prisons and courthouses
  • National laboratories
  • National Park System facilities, National Forests, and other federally owned or managed lands
  • Smithsonian Museums
  • Ports, including seaports, airports, and intermodal terminals, that may host federal customs processing facilities or law enforcement
  • IRS facilities
  • Law enforcement agencies like the FBI, ATF, DEA, or CBP
  • General federal office buildings 

Should I cancel my upcoming travel?
You can and should continue to enjoy your travel plans, but please be aware that you may experience delays when flying. TSA officers and Air Traffic Controllers are considered essential and are reporting to work throughout the shutdown. Roughly 82,766 people fly through Illinois airports every day and now face potential delays and safety concerns due to staffing impacts on TSA agents and air traffic controllers. Please have patience with any delays and keep in mind that both TSA and air traffic controllers are currently working without pay.

I'm coming to DC Will my tours still take place?
Unfortunately, tour guides and visitor centers of DC's government buildings are considered non-essential and have been closed. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building have been canceled during the shutdown. For alternative tour sites open during the government shutdown, please visit Washington.org.

Can I still request and pay for flags through Pay.gov? 
No, all Pay.gov flag forms will be temporarily suspended. 

What about international travel?
All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Will my passport renewal still be processed?
Passport applications will continue to be processed. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees. Therefore, all Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a lapse of appropriations.

Will immigration applications still be processed?
Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and thus are not normally impacted by a lapse in appropriations. Immigration court cases on the detained docket will proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations, while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement will retain the vast majority of their employees during a shutdown. 

Are National Parks closed?
National Parks Services are closed during the government shutdown. The public is strongly encouraged not to visit National Parks during the lapse in appropriations out of consideration for our natural resources and for visitor safety. This means that the vast majority of national parks will be closed to the public completely. Visitor centers will be closed, gates will be locked, entrance fees won't be collected, educational programs will be canceled, and campsites won't be staffed. Restrooms will be closed, and services like trash collection and road maintenance will be suspended. Parks will also not provide regular updates on road or trail conditions. There are also limited emergency/rescue services, and safety updates will not be published.

I have an issue with a government agency. Can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?
Due to the lapse in funding, many agencies have furloughed workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing. You are encouraged to contact any agency to learn if they are still able to assist you at this time. You can also contact my office to open a case for you. We can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or update you when they reopen at the conclusion of a shutdown. Please note that communication with most agencies will be significantly delayed due to reduced staffing during the shutdown.

I already have a case open with your office. Should I do anything during the shutdown?
My office is continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies, including requests for updates on behalf of constituents, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases. We will provide you with an update as soon as it is available. Please note that we may experience delays in response times from agencies due to staffing shortages.

I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC. Will I keep getting my payments?
SNAP payments will continue throughout October; however, if the shutdown lasts into November or beyond, benefits may be impacted. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will only continue at the state and local levels. In Illinois, this means over 150,000 people are at risk of losing nutrition assistance, including nearly 44,000 infants.

Washington DC Office
2083 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-4061
Fax: (202) 225-5603

Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Chicago District Office
1925 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL  60614
Phone: (773) 267-5926
Fax: (202) 225-5603

Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5:00pm