Federal Government Shutdown FAQs

President Trump and Congressional Republicans have failed to pass a government funding bill, and the federal government is currently shut down.

A government shutdown has many significant impacts to individuals, communities, and our economy. Please consider sharing your experience of how the government shutdown will or is impacting you here.

President Trump and his administration will determine specifics of how a shutdown is implemented. As updates about their plans become available, we will update our website.

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

Every year, Congress must pass legislation to fund government operations for the upcoming fiscal year. When that is not done by October 1st, the government shuts down due to lack of authorized funding. The shut down ends when Congress passes a bill to fund government operations for the full fiscal year or a shorter period. A bill to fund the government for a full year contains many instructions indicating what and how the government is to fund programs and agencies. A bill to simply extend funding with very limited instructions is called a continuing resolution (CR), and it is usually for a short period of time.
Each government agency has its own contingency plans for how to operate during a federal shutdown. Many agencies will have to stop or reduce the essential services they provide during this lapse in funding, as well as furlough some employees and, depending on the length of the shutdown, have other employees work without receiving paychecks.

FEDERAL BENEFITS

Will I continue to receive my Social Security?

A shutdown is not expected to impact Social Security benefit payments.
However, new benefit verification and card issuance services typically stop during a shutdown, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims.

How will SNAP and WIC recipients be impacted?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is expected to quickly run out of funding and then would not be able to provide food for children and parents in need.
In the case of a prolonged shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may also be affected.

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?

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

Can veterans still get treatment at VA facilities and access other services?

There is no expected impact on Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, and almost all VHA employees will remain employed. However, employees performing medical and prosthetic research are expected to be furloughed.
Access to benefits under the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) should continue. However, regional VBA Offices are expected to be closed, including the Albuquerque location. This means that public affairs and outreach to veterans will stop, likely including social media, VetResources emails and responses to press inquires. There will also be no outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based and community-based partners However, VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered.
The National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA) burial, scheduling of burials, first notice of death, and headstone processing functions will likely continue. However, 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.) will likely stop. This means there will be no grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries. New Mexico currently has two VA national cemeteries, the Santa Fe National Cemetery and Fort Bayard National Cemetery. The National Cemetery Applicant Assistance (1-800-697-6947) hotline will also be closed.

Will Indian Health Service (IHS) activities continue?

Indian Health Service facilities are expected to remain operational during a shutdown.
The Indian Health Service (IHS) received advance appropriations for FY 2026; therefore, the majority of IHS-funded programs will remain funded and operational during this shutdown. Advance appropriations, third party collections, and carryover balances will continue to fund the provision of care by the Indian Health Service, Tribal Health Programs, and Urban Indian Organizations.
Facilities construction projects supported with previously appropriated funds will also continue.

TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION

How will airports and air travel be impacted?

TSA officers and air traffic controllers are considered essential employees and typically report to work throughout a shutdown. However, both TSA officers and air traffic controllers will work without paychecks during a shutdown, meaning travelers may experience delays and should plan accordingly.

What is the impact on international travel?

Passport applications should still continue to be processed during a shutdown. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider, so all of 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 tours and museum visits still be available on a visit to Washington, D.C.?

The tour guides and visitor centers of federal government buildings aren’t considered essential services 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.
The Smithsonian museums are expected to remain open with normal operations until at least October 6th, when they run out of funding remaining from the prior year.

Do national parks and monuments close?

National Park closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments will likely remain accessible. Many services and facilities will be affected and may be limited depending on the location – including visitor centers, educational programs, restrooms, trash collection, and road maintenance.
There will also be limited emergency/rescue services. Only emergency updates will be published, but not road or trail conditions. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits to national parks.

Will immigration applications still be processed?

Most visa and passport operations are fee-funded and are not typically impacted by a shutdown.
Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed, while non-detained docket cases will likely be rescheduled for a later date when funding resumes.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated 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. However, the Department of Labor will not process applications or continue immigration-related services during a shutdown.

FEDERAL SERVICES

Does USPS still deliver mail?

U.S. Postal Service deliveries will continue during a government shutdown.

How will federal housing loans be impacted?

During a federal government shutdown, borrowers applying for government-backed loans from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) may face delays or pauses.
Borrowers from eligible towns and rural areas applying for mortgages through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) should expect a halt in issuance of new direct and guarantee home loans during a shutdown.

Will I receive my tax refund?

This IRS is expected to continue normal operations, including tax return processing, using supplemental funding provided through Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act.

What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies, but only disaster-related work will continue. Other long-term projects and resilience and mitigation programs will be delayed.

Will student loans continue to be disbursed?

Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans should still continue to be obligated and disbursed during a federal shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last.
However, staff needed to carry out and support these functions may be 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 are expected to continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown.

What is the impact on small businesses?

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will not accept, review, or approve any new business loans for small businesses.

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has Furlough Guidance and Resources for Federal Agencies and Employees.

Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?

When there is a government shutdown, federal agencies are required to classify their employees as either "essential" or "non-essential." The employees classified as "essential" continue to work during the shutdown. However, the employees classified as "non-essential" are put on unpaid furlough.

Do military personnel continue working?

U.S. military servicemembers will continue to perform their day-to-day duties but are not expected to receive a paycheck during a government shutdown.

Will Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs employees continue working?

Both Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories are expected to operate under normal conditions and will re-evaluate their operational statuses over time as they draw down their rollover funds.

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

Furloughed federal employees can file for unemployment insurance in the state or district where they work. For instance, if your workstation is in DC, but you live in New Mexico, you must file for unemployment insurance in DC.
Various credit unions offer interest-free loans to impacted federal employees. 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 has several options listed in its Furlough Center.
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.
USAA: Impacted federal employees that have direct deposit setup for a USAA bank can qualify for a no-interest loan.

Can furloughed federal employees receive unemployment?

Yes, federal employees in New Mexico are eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) as long as they meet state eligibility factors. Federal employees may file online at www.jobs.state.nm.us. You can find more information about unemployment insurance benefits for federal employees at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. Employees who receive UI benefits and later receive backpay will be required to repay the unemployment insurance benefits.

Do furloughed federal employees get back pay?

Current law states that furloughed federal employees will receive back pay. After the 2018/2019 shutdown, Congress passed legislation to guarantee back pay for all furloughed and essential federal employees.
However, for federal contractors who may get furloughed during a government shutdown, back pay is not guaranteed. That is why I joined my colleagues in introducing the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act to provide back pay to federal contractors after the conclusion of the shutdown. Unfortunately, this bill has not yet been called for a vote on the Senate floor.

Can federal employees be terminated during this government shutdown?

No. Federal agencies have to follow specific rules when conducting a Reduction in Force (RIF). Placing a worker on furlough during a shutdown is not part of that process. When an agency plans a RIF, it must give workers 30 to 60 days advanced notice. Anyone affected by a RIF has the right to appeal the decision.

For more information on how the Trump administration is implementing the shutdown across their agencies, please refer to each federal agency's contingency plan. This list will be updated as more resources become available: