Navigating A Government Shutdown: One-Stop Resource Page

A message from Congressman Jamie Raskin:

As of 12:01 AM on October 1, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have shut down the government.

While I continue to do everything in my power to get government back open for Maryland's Eighth District and America, I want to provide you with the most up-to-date resources and information to help you navigate the complexities of this shutdown.

I have assembled this one-stop resource page with answers to some of the most common questions you may have. Because our situation remains fluid, please know that my team will endeavor to keep this page updated with the latest important information.

- Congressman Jamie Raskin

Please note: this FAQ is based on information from prior shutdowns. The Trump administration has not yet made up-to-date agency shutdown plans public for all agencies. Furthermore, President Trump has spent much of his time in office dismantling the federal civil service and destroying the critical programs that Americans rely on. He has threatened to continue his illegal mass firings and further disrupt agency operations during a shutdown. We will be vigilant and in close touch during the shutdown.

Will the Office of Congressman Jamie Raskin continue working for constituents in the event of a federal government shutdown?

Yes, my office will continue working for constituents through a government shutdown.

Constituents who need assistance with a federal agency can still submit their request directly to my casework team through the website.

Although the team will receive and process your inquiries with their usual diligence, please be advised that in the event of a shutdown, federal agencies may be less responsive than usual to our District Office's efforts to advance constituent casework because of reduced staffing and capacity.

If you have a comment or idea, please contact the Washington DC (202-225-5341) or Rockville (301-354-1000) offices.

How would a federal government shutdown affect the following federal agencies and operations?

Federal Employees: Agencies determine "essential personnel" on a case-by-case basis. Those classified as "essential" will be required to work without pay during the shutdown. However, thanks to a 2019 law I helped to advance, federal employees will automatically receive backpay when a shutdown ends.

Please be advised that a shutdown could halt some contracts with the federal government, affecting many small businesses in Maryland's Eighth District and, if it drags on, even putting some federal contractors out of work.

Some federal agencies may also temporarily close, potentially affecting state and local agencies receiving federal funds.

U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Post Offices will remain open, and mail delivery should continue normally. Our office is available to answer any Post Office questions you have.

Federal Food Assistance Programs: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Child Nutrition (CN) Programs can continue operations until their funding diminishes. This means that Americans should be able to access benefits in the immediate onset of a shutdown, but future access will depend on the length of the shutdown. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC, may run out of funding as early as one week into the shutdown.

Social Security: Social Security checks should be mailed out as normal. This process is automated and remains unaffected by a potential shutdown.

However, new applications and individuals needing to update their information could experience delays. For inquiries about the status of your application, please contact my district office.

Veterans Benefits: VA medical centers will remain open, and the VA will continue to process veterans' benefits.

Air Travel: Americans could experience longer wait times at airport security as well as flight delays and/or cancellations due to staffing challenges.

All aviation security workers-including air traffic controllers, animal and plant inspectors, aviation safety experts, Customs and Border Patrol officials, and Transportation Security Agency officers will work without pay. They will be reimbursed with backpay after the shutdown.

Passport application processing and issuance could experience significant delays.

Online applications for TSA PreCheck should continue to be accepted, but the Department of Homeland Security will suspend Global Entry applications.

Federal Emergency Services: FEMA staff should continue to respond to emergencies.

Federal Grants and Business Opportunities: Grants.gov?should remain operational; however, there could be limited staff to provide assistance depending on the agency.

The Grants.gov Contact Center phone number is 1-800-518-GRANTS, and email contact is?[email protected].

The Small Business Administration's ability to process and adjudicate loans could be affected, leaving small businesses unable to access services and relief during a shutdown.

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS): Because USCIS is fee-funded, it will remain open and continue to process applications. You should attend interviews and appointments as scheduled.

Military Personnel: Active-duty military personnel will continue their duties without pay, but will receive backpay after the shutdown. Civilian employees and training operations could experience disruptions.

National Parks: The Department of Interior will likely close most National Park Service sites. It is recommended to verify the status of any attraction before visiting. Indoor facilities like the Smithsonian Museums and the National Gallery of Art will operate as normal through October 6. Check their websites.

Visiting Washington DC: Some popular attractions will be affected-all individuals interested in visiting an attraction in Washington, DC are encouraged to reach out to the office of the attraction for up-to-date information.

Capitol tours are canceled and the Capitol Visitors Center is closed during a shutdown. If you've booked a tour through our office and wish to reschedule, please contact our Washington, DC office at 202-225-5341.

Permalink: https://raskin.house.gov/2025/10/navigating-a-government-shutdown-one-stop-resource-page