Federal Government Shutdown Resources
Information for New Jersey Fifth District Residents
As of: September 30, 2025
Funding for the federal government expires on September 30. However, my office will remain open to continue to help Fifth District residents with casework and 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 plan for the impacts of a 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 will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will continue to provide limited services like the issuance of original and replacement Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop services like benefit verifications and overpayment processing. Customer service wait times will dramatically increase.
Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits, assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months. The federal government has enough money for Medicaid to fund the first quarter of the next fiscal year. Beneficiary casework services will be largely suspended during a lapse in government funding.
What happens to veterans’ services?
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits. However, veterans will be affected by the shutdown of other services that they count on, including education and job training, support for veteran-owned businesses, and assistance for homeless veterans. VA will cease providing transition program assistance and career counseling. VA benefits regional offices will be 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. On-base non-acute health care will cease, although off-base care provided through Tricare will not be affected. On-base childcare 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. Most civilian employees working at military installations like Picatinny can expect to be furloughed.
Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?
Military and federal retirees will 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 are expected to 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.
What is the impact on food assistance?
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will quickly run out of funding, approximately in two weeks, and might be unable to provide food for children and parents in need. Families should receive SNAP benefits in October. If the shutdown stretches beyond a couple of weeks, benefits in November could be impacted. The National School Lunch and school breakfast programs also have contingency funds, so children’s meals at school won’t be affected right away.
What is the impact on 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. Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged shutdown. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans.
What is the impact on education?
The Pell Grant direct student loans will continue to be disbursed. Borrowers will still have to make student loan payments. Federal aid to support school districts in areas with tax-exempt federal land — like national parks and military bases — and Native American reservations would lose out on federal cash immediately if 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 will remain on the job without pay. If some do not report to work, as has happened in prior shutdowns, there will be significant delays and longer wait times across the country. Amtrak will continue 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 will be 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) 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.
What is the impact on food safety activities?
Some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities will be delayed or paused across the country. This includes pre-market safety reviews of meat, milk, and eggs.
How will this affect small businesses?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will 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) 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. The National Institutes of Health (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 will remain accessible. Smithsonian museums will remain open through October 6, but may be impacted by a lengthy shutdown. 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.