2025 Government Shutdown

Lapse in Federal Government Funding

As your Member of Congress, I want to ensure you have the information you need regarding how a lapse in federal government funding might impact you.  Below are some frequently asked questions and the latest information that may be subject to change.

Additionally, during the lapse in federal government funding, my Washington, D.C., and Merrillville offices will remain open and available to assist you.  You can continue to contact my office through this website or call (219) 795-1844 with any specific questions or concerns.

FAQ:

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

• Each year, Congress must pass bills to approve funding for government agencies and services.  If those bills aren’t passed on time, Congress can pass a short-term fix called a continuing resolution (CR) to keep money flowing until funding levels are ready.
• If there is no funding bill and no CR, the government shuts down because no funding has been approved.
• Every agency has its own plan for shutdowns.  Many agencies will have to stop or reduce the essential services they provide and furlough employees until the end of the shutdown.  Other “essential” employees in agencies must keep working without pay until funding is passed.

I have an issue with a federal agency, can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?

• During a shutdown, many federal departments and agencies furlough workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing.
• You can contact my office to open a case for you.  I am able to contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they re-open at the conclusion of a shutdown.
• My office will continue to engage with federal agencies, including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases.  Staff will provide you with any updates as soon as it is available.  Despite that, some agencies may not be able to process requests until the government is funded.

Will USPS still deliver mail?

• Yes.  The U.S. Postal Service should operate normally during a shutdown.

Will I continue to receive my Social Security?

• A shutdown should not impact Social Security benefit payments.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) will stop some activities like benefit verifications and processing overpayments, and the public will likely experience increased wait times for customer service.

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?

• Medicare and Medicaid will continue during a shutdown.
• Communications from the agencies or reaching out for assistance may be difficult or impossible due to the temporary staff furloughs.  Messages, updates, or support could be stalled or outdated.

Will I keep getting my WIC and SNAP food benefits?

• Funding for WIC (The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) will run out of remaining funding quickly and may be unable to provide food for children and parents in need.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may also be affected in the case of a prolonged shutdown.

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

• VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open as usual and providing all services. 
• VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits. 
• The National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA) burial, scheduling of burials, first notice of death, and headstone processing functions will continue.  Call centers, suicide prevention program, homelessness services, and caregiver support will also continue.
• During a shutdown, VA will cease to provide transition program assistance and career counseling.

Do military personnel continue working?

• Yes, the Department of Defense will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue in their duties as usual, but servicemembers will not receive pay during a government shutdown.

How will military benefits be impacted?

• Medical and dental care for military personnel will be available, but elective procedures will not be.
• Private health care using the Defense Department's TRICARE medical insurance would continue uninterrupted.
• Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits.
• Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.

What will be the impact on federal housing programs?

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will operate with a skeleton staff, and many of its operations will be on pause.
• Housing inspections will cease, with exceptions for those necessary to the protection of life and property.  
• Grantmaking opportunities for various programs like the Community Development Block Grant program will cease, and processing of grant reviews and applications will halt.
• Some rental voucher assistance programs like Section 8 will continue unimpeded where an existing contract is in place, and previously obligated tenant assistance will be paid out.  However, new funds will not be obligated and waivers for troubled assets in the program will not be processed.
• Public Housing Authorities are not required to cease issuing vouchers during a shutdown, and may continue to do so based on their financial ability. 
• The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will stop new loan and loan guarantee activity.
• The VA will continue to guarantee home loans, but furloughs could lead to processing delays.

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, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs.
• However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program continued regular operations.

How will travel be impacted?

• TSA officers and air traffic controllers are considered essential, but please have extra patience as both will be working without pay during the shutdown.
• Passport applications should continue to be processed during a shutdown.  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 should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Will immigration applications still be processed?

• Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and not normally impacted by a shutdown.
• Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed during a shutdown, while non-detained docket cases will be rescheduled to a later date once funding resumes.
• The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should retain most of their employees and continue their work during a shutdown.

Will I receive my tax refund? Do I still need to file my taxes if I previously got an extension?

• If you filed for a six-month extension for your tax returns in April, you are still required to file by October 15.
• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is expected to maintain normal operations during a shutdown, meaning tax refunds and support should remain available.

What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?

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

Will student loans continue to be disbursed?

• Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans should continue until remaining funding runs out. 
• Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans should continue for a limited time during a shutdown.
• In the case of a prolonged shutdown, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

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

• If you are travelling to Washington, D.C, please contact my office and we are happy to provide the latest information on what tours and attractions may be available to you.

Will the Indiana Dunes National Park remain open?

• The National Park Service has issued guidance that open-air sites, such as trails and beaches, will remain open to the public.  However, buildings that require staffing, such as the visitor center, will be closed.
• Lack of staffing may also impact restrooms, trash pickup, and road maintenance. 
• There may be limited emergency rescue services and safety updates would not be published.  Please keep this in mind when planning any visits.
• Please refer to the Indiana Dunes National Park website for further updates.

What is the process to end a government shutdown, and can the President unilaterally end it? 

• To end a government shutdown, Congress needs to pass, and the President must sign appropriations bills to fund the departments and agencies that have been shut down. 
• The President does not have the power to end a shutdown unilaterally.  The funding bills follow the same legislative process as any other bill, requiring approval from both the House and Senate before the President can sign them into law.