What You Need to Know about a Government Shutdown

We're in a federal government shutdown. Here's what you need to know.

What is a government shutdown? 

The government shuts down when Congress fails to pass legislation known as “appropriations” bills that fund the different federal government agencies, like the Department of Labor, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services passed each year by Congress and signed by the President. 

If any of those bills aren’t passed  and there is no short-term fix called a continuing resolution (CR) by the start of the government’s new fiscal year, the government shuts down because there is no funding for government agencies and services.

Democrats are united in fighting to save America's health care, while Republicans are willing to create an unprecedented health care crisis, which would make the cost of hospitals, copays, deductibles and medications much higher for people. 

If you are directly impacted by the shutdown or have any questions, my team and I are here to help you. Call my district offices at (773) 475-0833 or (773) 342-0774.

What does a government shutdown mean for you? 

Social Security, Medicare and SSI Benefits: 

During a government shutdown, recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks, but some services such as benefit verification as well as card issuance could cease. You could also expect customer service wait times to increase. 

Medicare and Medicaid are deemed mandatory programs and benefits will not be disrupted by the shutdown.

Food Assistance: 

Although funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is mandatory, the ability to send out “food stamp” benefits could be affected during a prolonged shutdown, since continuing resolutions have only authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture to send out benefits for 30 days once a shutdown begins. This will impact the 40 million Americans who depend on this program each month and will struggle to put food on the table.. 

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will quickly run out of funding and be unable to provide food for children and parents in need. 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): 

Because TANF is funded by the government but distributed by state agencies, this will depend on your state policy. During a government shutdown, it is likely that the federal government will need to halt its quarterly TANF payments to states, but state governments will have the option to continue providing benefits and services without interruption. 

Mail: 

You will still receive mail as the U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. 

Student Loans:

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 of Education may be functioning with a significantly reduced staff.  Free Applications for Student Aids (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 of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

Air Travel: 

Air travel should generally not be affected, but you may experience some longer times at TSA, or delays/cancellations due to staffing issues. TSA, Air Traffic Controllers, and Customs and Border Protection agents will continue their operations but will be working without pay. 

Disaster Relief: 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies, but all long-term projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.

EPA: 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop inspecting most hazardous waste sites, as well as drinking water and chemical facilities. Efforts to address dangerous contaminants like PFAS — which are linked to severe health effects, including cancer — will be delayed, and cleanup activities at Superfund sites will slow or cease.

Food Safety: 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities — such as routine inspections of facilities — will be delayed across the country.

Medical Research: 

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be forced to delay new clinical trials. New patients who are waiting for a chance at new treatment through a clinical trial will be turned away.

Passports Services and Help for Americans Overseas:

Consular services, passport services, and visa services will continue in the immediate aftermath of a government shutdown. In a prolonged shutdown, passport and visa issuance could be slowed. Access to passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.

National Park and Monuments: 

Across the country, services that require National Park Service staff — including trash removal and operating campgrounds and concessions — may be stopped. 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.

Small Business: 

The Small Business Administration would stop processing small business loans, halting a program that provides $1,043,614,000 in funding to small businesses in Illinois every year.

Housing: 

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 stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans. Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged shutdown.

Veterans: 

Veterans’ health care will not be affected by a government shutdown. Benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits

Based on previous shutdowns, access to some Veterans’ Affairs (VA) resources will be restricted, including outreach, career counseling, transition assistance, and cemetery grounds maintenance. Regional VA offices that serve the public will close.

Federal Employees: 

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.

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 without pay. On-base non-acute health care will cease, although off-base care provided through Tricare will not be affected. On-military base child care will be open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement will also be required to work without pay for the duration of a shutdown.

Military and Federal Retiree Benefits: 

Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.

State and Local Services: 

The federal government shutdown will not immediately affect any state or local services. However, with federal funding cut off, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions.

What’s the effect of a government shutdown on the economy as a whole?

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the 2018-2019 shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion — largely the result of federal workers cutting spending to cope with the loss of their paychecks.

What has to happen to end a government shutdown once it starts?

Congress must pass and the President must sign appropriations bills to fund the departments and reopen agencies that have shut down.