Federal Government Shutdown Resources
Information for New Jersey Fifth District Residents
As of: October 24, 2025
Funding for the federal government expired on September 30. However, my office remains open to continue to help Fifth District residents with casework and other federal matters.
I am working to keep critical services up and running for families in our community while lowering health care costs. Unfortunately, the far-right is refusing to negotiate with us and are continuing to push a partisan spending bill that takes health care away from hard-working families across Jersey.
To help you with the impacts of the federal government shutdown, my office and I have prepared answers to some frequently asked questions. As always, you can reach me at the phone numbers below.
Sincerely,
Josh Gottheimer
MEMBER OF CONGRESS
Contact Information:
Fair Lawn Office: (201) 389-1100
Washington, DC Office: (202) 225-4465
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?
Recipients continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) continues to provide limited services like the issuance of original and replacement Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA is not providing services like benefit verifications, Medicare card replacement, and overpayment processing. These specific services — and many others — remain available online using your ‘my Social Security’ account. You can continue to expect longer customer service wait times.
Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries continue to receive their benefits, assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months. The federal government has enough money for Medicaid to fund through the first quarter of this fiscal year (through September 30, 2026). Beneficiary casework services are largely suspended. Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired on October 1, prohibiting patients from receiving telehealth services in their homes.
What happens to veterans’ services?
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics remain operational. The VA continues to process veterans’ benefits. However, other services veterans count on are affected by the shutdown, including education and job training, support for veteran-owned businesses, and assistance for homeless veterans. VA has ceased providing transition program assistance and career counseling. VA benefits regional offices are closed.
Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?
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, while the employees classified as “not excepted” are put on unpaid furlough.
What is the impact on 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. However, all active-duty members and National Guard and Reserve members received a paycheck on October 15. On-base non-acute health care has ceased, although off-base care provided through Tricare is not affected. On-base childcare remains open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement are also currently required to work without pay for the duration of a shutdown. Federal law enforcement employees are expected to receive a paycheck by Oct. 22 that covers shutdown days already worked without pay, their overtime, and their next pay period. Most civilian employees working at military installations were furloughed.
Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?
Military and federal retirees continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.
Will my mail still arrive?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.
How does this affect passports and help for Americans overseas?
Consular services, passport services, and visa services continue, and processing times remain the same as before the shutdown. In a prolonged shutdown, passport and visa issuance could be slowed. Access to passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.
What is the impact on food assistance?
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) currently only has enough funding to continue to provide food for children and parents in need in New Jersey through the first week of November. SNAP benefits in November could be impacted. The National School Lunch and school breakfast programs also have contingency funds, so children’s meals at school are not yet currently impacted.
What is the impact on housing?
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has stopped insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has stopped processing some new loans. Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged shutdown. The VA continues to guarantee home loans.
What is the impact on education?
The Pell Grant direct student loans continue to be disbursed. Borrowers still have to make student loan payments. Students can still submit FAFSA forms; financial aid applications are not expected to be impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. Federal aid to support school districts in areas with tax-exempt federal land — like national parks and military bases — and Native American reservations likely lost out on federal funds because the government is closed.
Will air travel or trains be affected?
Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents remain on the job without pay. However, some Air and Marine Agents, CBP Officers, and federal air marshals may start getting paid. Some air traffic controllers and TSA agents have not reported to work, as has happened in prior shutdowns, resulting in significant delays and longer wait times across the country. Amtrak continues normal operation of its passenger rail network.
What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies, but all long-term projects are delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.
How will this affect environmental protection and cleanup?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stopped 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 — are delayed, and cleanup activities at Superfund sites have slowed or ceased.
What is the impact on food safety activities?
Some of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) routine food safety activities are delayed or paused across the country, as efforts have reduced to safety surveillance and emergency response. This includes pre-market safety reviews of meat, milk, and eggs.
How will this affect small businesses?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) stopped processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. In addition, contracting support programs for women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and those in disadvantaged communities have ceased. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program continue regular operations, but borrowers should expect longer processing times and assistance to be slower than normal.
What does this mean for medical research?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is delaying new clinical trials. New patients who are waiting for a chance at new treatment through a clinical trial are being turned away, unless deemed medically necessary by the NIH Clinical Center Director. NIH activities will continue to be largely centered on the ongoing operations at its biomedical research hospital, the NIH Clinical Center, to maintain the safety and continued care of its patients.
Will I still be able to visit National Parks 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, but expect that national parks without accessible areas will be closed. Open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. as well as nationally remain accessible. Smithsonian museums, research centers, and zoo are closed. In a previous shutdown, some centers in our region remained open, except without visitor services or a welcome center.
What is the impact on 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. For specific questions regarding state and local agencies, check with state sources like NJ.gov and local municipal resources.