2025 Government Shutdown: What to know
Your Guide to Understanding and Navigating the 2025 Government Shutdown
Our office remains open to assist you during a government shutdown. Constituents of New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District who need assistance can submit their request here or call our office at (201) 309-0301. Please note that we will potentially have a reduced ability to assist constituents as many federal agencies will be closed due to the shutdown. If you have a comment or would like to share how a shutdown impacts you, please send us a message or reach out to our DC office at (202) 225-7919.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Government Shutdown?
- Because Congressional Republicans did not pass a funding bill by September 30th to fund the government and keep operations open, the government is currently shut down.
- All federal agencies funded by Congress will furlough non-essential employees and suspend certain services.
Mail Services
Post offices will remain open during normal business hours, and mail delivery will continue.
Social Security
- Social Security benefit payments will be distributed as normal as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Field offices and the national customer service phone line will remain open, although wait times will likely increase.
Medicaid and Medicare
Current Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries will continue to receive their regular benefits.
WIC benefits and Head Start
- Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) benefits should be available in the short term but may quickly run out of funding.
- Head Start will lose access to grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, compromising funding for childcare centers.
Food assistance programs
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should cover benefits for October. But if the shutdown stretches on beyond that, benefits could be affected.
Immigration services
- Immigration interviews and appointments should continue as scheduled.
- New applications will continue to be processed.
- Some immigration court dates may be cancelled, particularly for cases associated with the non-detained docket.
Veteran services
- All Veterans Affairs medical facilities will remain operational, including the East Orange and Lyons Medical Centers.
- The VA's primary call center and the Veterans Crisis Line line will remain open.
Travel
- You may experience longer wait times at airport security and immigration, flight delays, or cancellations.
- Passport application processing may experience significant delays.
- Global Entry applications will be suspended.
- Online applications for TSA PreCheck will be accepted.
- Key aviation safety personnel will continue to work without pay.
Student loans and payment
Federal student aid processing will not be impacted and payments will still be due for borrowers.
Small business loans
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) cannot accept, process, or approve most business loans.
- HUBZone program operations will continue.
- SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations.
Federal employees and military personnel
- All active military personnel will continue on normal duty status.
- Agencies will determine essential personnel on a case-by-case basis.
Visiting National Parks, Monuments, and the Nation’s Capital
Tours of the United States Capitol and the Library of Congress are not offered during a government shutdown.
If you have booked a tour through our office and wish to reschedule, please contact us at (202)-225-7919.
The Department of Interior intends to keep some parks and open-air memorials open, though it's recommended to verify their status before visiting.
Contact any facilities you plan to visit before you arrive to ensure they are open.
Waste Collection
Waste collection is controlled through local government and will continue as normal.