Republican Shutdown Resources

What does a government shutdown mean for you?

Funding for the federal government expires on September 30, 2025 and Republicans refuse to work with House or Senate Democrats to keep it open. With full control of the government, Republicans pushed a budget that strips away healthcare tax credits and raises costs for working families. Their cuts target the very programs South Jersey families rely on, while continuing Trump’s reckless policies that drive up everyday costs. I opposed this plan because it fails to put seniors, veterans, and working families first.

The Trump Administration has already disrupted critical services through the DOGE cuts, harming working families and putting our economy at risk. This shutdown is the direct result of Trump and Republicans choosing politics over fiscal responsibility. I am fighting to end the shutdown, protect healthcare, and pass a budget that lowers costs and works for the American people.

To help you navigate the government shutdown, this webpage provides answers to some of the most common questions I have received from constituents. Due to the Trump Administration’s lack of transparency, the resources below are subject to change. I will be updating this website as we learn more.

 

My office will remain open. Please do not hesitate to call my office at 856-427-7000 with any questions or for assistance with a federal agency.

 

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
Medicare, Medicaid and disability insurance will be largely unaffected by a shutdown lasting less than three months. Current beneficiaries should continue to receive their benefits.

 

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks?

Recipients should 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 will stop some activities like benefit verifications and processing over payments and the public will likely experience increased wait times for customer service.

 

I have an issue with a government agency, can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?
Due to the lapse in funding, many agencies furlough workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing. You are encouraged to contact any agency to learn if they are still able to assist you. You can also contact my office to open a case for you. We can 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.

 

I already have a case open with your office, should I do anything during the shutdown?

My office will remain open to assist you. We are continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies, including requesting updates on constituents' behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases. We will provide you with an update as soon as it is available.

 

Will a shutdown impact WIC and SNAP benefits?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) should have enough resources to administer SNAP and WIC for one month.

 

What is the impact on veterans' services?

All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain operational. The VA will continue burials and processing veterans’ benefits. However, VA regional offices may close and services such as education and job training, support for veteran-owned businesses, and even assistance for homeless veterans could be impacted.

 

What will happen to student loan assistance and federal Head Start programs?

The U.S. Department of Education has stated that student aid and loan programs could be disrupted, including processing Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications, disbursing Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing Federal student loans.

 

Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?
Military and federal retirees should continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.

 

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. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA should continue to guarantee home loans. Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, could be jeopardized in a prolonged shutdown.

 

Will immigration, passport, and visa applications still be processed?
Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and thus are not normally impacted by a lapse in appropriations, the cause of a government shutdown. Immigration court cases on the detained docket should proceed while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes.

 

Will I receive my tax refund?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has not released an updated plan for operating during the shutdown. During previous shutdowns, taxpayer phone calls, taxpayer disputes, and tax refunds were delayed.

 

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services and would not be impacted by a government shutdown.

 

What is the impact on small businesses?

A federal government shutdown will impact federal loans to small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will not accept, review, or approve any new business loans for small businesses.

 

How will the shutdown affect travel?

Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers would be forced to work without pay, which could lead to delays and long wait times at airports.

 

Will I be able to renew my passport?

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.

 

Who do I call if I have an issue and I am traveling abroad? Will U.S. Embassies remain open?

Yes, during a shutdown the services at the international embassies and consulates should remain open. If you need help while you are abroad, you should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. You can find the contact information to the U.S. Embassy nearest you at www.travel.state.gov. 

 

Will I still be able to visit the national parks and monuments?

National Park closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. Smithsonian museums may also be impacted by a lengthy shutdown. Many services and facilities would be affected, including visitor centers, educational programs, restrooms, trash collection, and road maintenance. There may also be limited emergency/rescue services, and safety updates would not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits to national parks.

 

Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?

Federal agencies are required to classify their employees 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, many employees of businesses with government contracts could be laid off, furloughed, or see their hours cut. Although President Trump has stated that he plans to fire federal workers as a result of the government shutdown, this action would be illegal and challenged in the courts.

 

Do furloughed federal employees get back pay?

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, signed into law in 2019, guarantees that furloughed government employees receive backpay once a shutdown ends. However, federal contractors impacted are not guaranteed backpay.

 

What is the impact on food safety?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) will be forced to delay food safety inspections for products in South Jersey and across the country.

 

What is the impact on water quality?

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) efforts to identify and clean up harmful contaminants in drinking water will be delayed.

 

What is the impact on workplace safety?

A government shutdown could halt or delay U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) workplace safety inspections.

 

How will the shutdown impact FEMA’s efforts to respond to natural disaster clean-up efforts?

A government shutdown would complicate new emergency response efforts. Additionally, funding for long-term recovery projects would be halted and delayed.

 

What is the impact on law enforcement or U.S. military personnel?

 In previous shutdowns, all active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders were excepted and therefore are required to work. On-base non-acute health care ceased, but off-base care provided through Tricare was not affected. On-base childcare was open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement was also required to work. Both military personnel and federal law enforcement will not be paid until after the shutdown is over.

What is the impact on state and local services?

A potential 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. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions.

 

Where can I find information about the furlough as a federal employee? https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/#url=Shutdown-Furlough