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Resources for Federal Workers and Contractors Impacted by the Government Shutdown

Washington, October 1, 2025

Due to a lapse in government funding, the federal government shut down as of midnight on October 1, 2025.

I firmly believe that government shutdowns are bad, and they are harmful. I continue to urge President Donald Trump and my Republican colleagues in Congress to govern responsibly and negotiate a deal that funds the government and keeps Americans from losing their health care.

More than 72,000 of my constituents in Virginia’s Eighth Congressional District work directly for the government, and thousands more work as government contractors. Our community is home to many families who are now feeling the personal and economic strain of this shutdown, and the massive harm of the Trump Administration’s political purge of the federal workforce.

I continue to fight for our civil servants and to shield them from the worst impacts of a shutdown. I co-lead the Help Federal Employees During Shutdowns (Help FEDS) Act  with Congresswoman Elfreth to ensure federal employees who are required to work during a government shutdown are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance (UI). I also co-sponsor Congresswoman Pressley’s Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act which would ensure federal contract workers are fairly compensated for the wages and benefits lost due to a government shutdown.

I remain committed to advocating for a swift resolution in Congress and ensuring that the needs of our district are heard. In the meantime, my office is here to support you during this challenging time.

On this page, you will find resources to help while portions of the government remain closed. It covers a wide range of topics, from how to manage your federal student loans, to local resources and guidance on food banks. This information can change over time, and we will update this page as new information becomes available.

It’s my hope that the resources provided below will address your questions and concerns. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to call my Washington, D.C. office at 202–225–4376 or my constituent services office at 703–658–5403.

Financial stress and uncertainty can take a toll on mental health. If you or someone you know is in a crisis and needs to talk to someone, the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a source of support available 24/7. Please dial or text 9-8-8 for support in English or Spanish.  

Federal Employee Resources

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Guidance


Federal Student Aid

 

Virginia Resources

 

Local Resources –

Arlington County

City of Alexandria

Fairfax County

 

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 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 overpayments, and the public will likely experience increased wait times for customer service. 

 

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 will continue to receive their benefits.

 

I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC. Will I keep getting my payments?

SNAP benefits will continue in October, but November benefits may be impacted. Funding for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will run out, and the program will only continue in localities with state and local funds.

 

What is the impact on veterans' services?

All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits. The GI Hotline, Vendee loan program, and National Cemetery Administration services will be suspended.

 

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 "not excepted" are put on unpaid furlough. For more details, please visit the Office of Personnel Management’s website here.

The employees classified as "excepted" work without pay during the shutdown. Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which I championed in the House, all federal employees are retroactively paid for the duration of the shutdown upon its conclusion.

 

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. Federal law enforcement is also required to work. Absent separate legislation, military personnel and federal law enforcement 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.

 

Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans will continue to be disbursed during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. If the shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

 All student loan borrowers must continue making payments on their debts.

 

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 have furloughed 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 at this time. You can also contact my office to provide assistance. We can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they reopen at the conclusion of a shutdown.

 

What is the impact on 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.

 

What is the impact on federal housing loans?

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 also stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans.

 

What is the impact on disaster relief efforts?

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?

Some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities — such as routine inspections of facilities — will be delayed.