The federal government may enter a shutdown beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, if there is a lapse in federal government funding. Below are some frequently asked questions about a shutdown and key information you need to know. 

In the event of a government shutdown, our team will be available to assist you. Call 603-226-1002 or visit Goodlander.House.Gov for support. Have more questions that are not answered below? Submit them here.

---

What is a federal government shutdown? And who will be affected?

• Many federal agencies and programs rely on annual funding passed by Congress to operate. Every year, Congress must pass, and the President must sign, budget legislation for the next fiscal year, consisting of 12 appropriations bills, one for each Appropriations subcommittee. Congress has not yet enacted any of the 12 bills for Fiscal Year 2026. Without those or a deal to continue funding the government in the short-term, the federal government must shut down. 
• In a shutdown, federal agencies must discontinue all non-essential functions until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law. Essential services – many of which are related to public safety – continue to function, as do mandatory spending programs.

I have an issue with a federal agency. Can I still call them for help? 

• During a federal government shutdown, many federal departments and agencies furlough workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing.
• You can contact our office to assist you, and we can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates.
• During a shutdown, our office will continue to submit inquiries to federal agencies, including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases. 

Will I continue to receive my Social Security?

• A shutdown should not impact the majority of Social Security benefit payments.
• Please be aware that new benefit verification and card issuance services cease during a shutdown, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims.

I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC – will I keep getting my payments?

• The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) continues during a shutdown, but will quickly run out of funding depending on the duration. In the case of a prolonged shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may also be affected.

Does USPS still deliver mail?

• All services under the U.S. Postal Service should continue during a government shutdown.

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?

• Medicare and Medicaid should continue during a federal government shutdown, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies as some employees will be furloughed. Some communications from the agency may be stalled or outdated.

Do military personnel continue working?

• The Department of Defense will continue defending our nation, and all military personnel will continue their usual duty. However, servicemembers will not receive pay during a government shutdown. They will be given back pay once government funding is restored. 

Can veterans still get treatment at VA or access other services?

• In the case of a government shutdown, there should be no expected impact on Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, and almost all of VHA’s employees will remain on the job. However, employees performing medical and prosthetic research would be furloughed.
• Access to benefits under the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) should continue.
• The National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA) burial, scheduling of burials, first notice of death, and headstone processing functions should continue. Oversight and direct administration of the NCA program offices (Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, Engagement and Memorial Innovations, Cemetery Development and Improvement Service, Finance, Legislative and Regulatory Service, etc.) would cease.

Should I cancel my upcoming travel plans?

• TSA officers and air traffic controllers are considered essential and will remain on the job during a shutdown, but they will work without pay, and would get back pay once funding is restored. Please have patience with any delays.
• Passport applications should continue to be processed during a shutdown. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, should remain open during a federal government shutdown.
• All services at international embassies and consulates should continue during a shutdown. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Will student loans continue to be disbursed?

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

What is the impact on small businesses?

• A federal government shutdown will impact federal loans to small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will not accept, review, or approve any new business loans for small businesses during a shutdown.

I’m traveling to Washington, D.C. – will my tours still take place?

• The tour guides and visitor centers of federal government buildings are considered non-essential and will be closed during a shutdown. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building will be canceled during a shutdown.

Do national parks and monuments close?

• National Park closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. Smithsonian museums may also be impacted by a lengthy shutdown. Many services and facilities would be affected – including visitor centers, educational programs, restrooms, trash collection, and road maintenance. There would also be limited emergency/rescue services, and safety updates would not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits to national parks.