2025 Federal Government Shutdown
Last Updated on October 30, 2025
Our federal government shut down at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, because the Republican majority in Congress has not passed a full government funding bill and refuses to negotiate on a solution. Federal government shutdowns cause devastation across the country, hurting working families, damaging our economy, and endangering our national security.
Rep. Underwood has voted repeatedly to avoid shutdowns and keep our government open with legislation that protects and supports our community in Illinois. During this shutdown, she remains focused on keeping critical services up and running for families in our district.
Our office will continue to serve constituents like you during the shutdown. We are here to help you with any questions or disruption caused by the shutdown and to make sure you have the information and support you need. If you need assistance with federal issues, please click here, or call our office at 630-549-2190. Our office also has information on mental health resources if you are experiencing added stress or hardship at this time.
To stay updated on how the shutdown affects you and our work in the community, subscribe to our newsletter here.
FAQs on the 2025 Federal Government Shutdown
Below, you will find a list of frequently asked questions about the 2025 federal government shutdown and community resources you may find helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at 630-549-2190 if you have any additional questions or needs.
Why did the government shut down?
The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills that fund the operations of federal agencies and programs. These 12 appropriations bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. In the absence of routine appropriations bills, Congress may pass temporary measures, known as a continuing resolution (CR). The federal government was operating under a CR that expired on September 30, 2025. In the absence of approved appropriations bills or a CR, the government shut down due to a lack of authorized funding.
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 providing limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA has stopped some activities like benefit verifications and processing overpayments, and there will be increased wait times for customer service.
Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance are largely unaffected by a shutdown lasting less than three months. Current beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits.
What happens to veterans' services?
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits.
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.
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. The employees classified as "not excepted" are put on unpaid furlough.
In addition, Donald Trump has purported to fire thousands of public servants during this shutdown, as he has been trying to do all year. These “firings” are not legal and are being vigorously contested in court.
I am a federal employee. Will I still be paid?
When the government shut down, all non-essential federal employees were placed on unpaid leave, also known as a furlough. However, essential employees who perform emergency work involving the safety of human life, the protection of property, or other exempted work must continue to report to their job.
Each federal agency determines which employees will be furloughed and which must continue to report to work. These furloughs impact the services that agencies provide to the public. Neither essential nor furloughed employees are authorized to receive compensation during a lapse in government funding.
The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, 31 U.S.C. § 1341 (GEFTA) statutorily requires retro-active pay for furloughed and essential employees following the end of a lapse in government funding. The exact timeframe for retroactive payment will depend on the length of the lapse in government funding and start date of the enacted continuing resolution or appropriations bill.
Additional Resources for Federal Employees:
- Find your union here.
- The Partnership for Public Service has compiled government shutdown resources.
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. On-base non-acute health care may cease, but off-base care provided through Tricare is not affected. On-base child care is open on a case-by-case basis. Given House Republicans refusal to bring the House back into session and act to pay our military, the Trump administration has taken unprecedented measures to identify funds for military pay. A predictable, legally regular, and longer-term solution is still needed.
Federal law enforcement is also required to work and will not be paid until after the shutdown is over.
Will my mail still arrive?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.
Will commercial air travel be affected?
Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job. However, like all federal employees, they will not be paid until the shutdown is over. Many airports are experiencing significant delays.
What about international travel?
All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during the shutdown. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Will my passport renewal still be processed?
The State Department will continue to process passport applications and visa requests as long as funding and the collection of fees allow. However, delayed processing times are expected.
How will this affect small businesses?
In prior shutdowns, the Small Business Administration (SBA) stopped processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program continued regular operations.
Additional information from House Committee on Small Business can be found here.
What is the impact on federal housing loans?
In prior shutdowns, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) stopped insuring some new mortgages, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stopped processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) also stopped new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans.
Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?
The Department of Education will continue to disburse student aid such as Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student loans, and student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt. Free Applications for Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans are continuing for a “very limited time” under the shutdown.
There are also additional considerations with the Trump administration cutting the Department of Education workforce. While we don’t yet know exactly how this will impact specific programs that the Department of Education operates, we can expect delays.
What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies. In prior shutdowns, long-term projects were delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.
What is the impact on food safety activities?
In prior shutdowns, some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities—such as routine inspections of facilities—were delayed.
I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC. Will I keep getting my payments?
The Trump administration announced they are transferring funds to keep the WIC program afloat in the short-term, but House Republicans must come to the negotiating table to reopen government and fully fund WIC.
SNAP recipients should expect to receive their monthly allotment, and retailers will continue to accept SNAP benefits. SNAP applications and the ability for employees at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to send out new benefits could be affected by a shutdown. If the shutdown lasts longer than 30 days, there may be bigger impacts on the program.
I have an issue with a federal agency. Can I still open a case?
Due to the lapse in funding, many agencies have furloughed workers. Please contact our office at 630-549-2190 or visit our page on constituent services, and we can assist you with this matter.
I already have a case open with your office. Should I do anything during the shutdown?
My office is continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies, including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf and opening new cases.
I’m coming to DC - will my tours still take place?
Unfortunately, tour guides and visitor centers of DC’s government buildings are considered non-essential and have been closed. This means that all tours of the U.S. Capitol, White House, and FBI Building have been canceled during the shutdown.
The Supreme Court and Bureau of Engraving and Printing will be open for tours; however, these tours book up far in advance and may not be available for last-minute scheduling. If you have a tour scheduled through our office and want to check the status, please call us at 630-549-2190.
Will I still be able to visit National Parks and monuments or the Smithsonian?
Open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will remain open. However, services at these parks and those around the country that require National Park Service (NPS) staff including trash removal and operating campgrounds, concessions and visitor centers may be limited. More detail on NPS’ plans for the shutdown is available here and individual parks have posted operations updates on a case by case basis which can be searched for on the NPS homepage.
Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo are closed. Updates will be posted as applicable on the Smithsonian’s website.