Government Shutdown Information

This is an archived page from the potential government shutdown of Winter 2024, which has been averted. Please check back intermittently for updates, and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.

DISCLAIMER: The following information is accurate if a shutdown were to occur, as of December 20, 2024. We will do our best to consistently update this page. Unfortunately, due to the dynamic nature of a government shutdown, it is difficult to provide live information about the current operations of various agencies. Please contact our office for assistance, or reach out to the federal agency you need assistance from to get the most up to date information on federal operations.

Your Guide to Staying Informed During the Potential 2024 Government Shutdown

While the Democrats reached a bipartisan budget deal earlier this week, some extreme MAGA members are holding the government hostage and will no longer vote in support of the deal. If legislation is not enacted to continue to fund the government, at 12:00am ET on December 20, 2024, certain government programs will be impacted, resulting in a range of disruptions in essential services.

While as of right now, we might be able to avoid this catastrophe, I want to ensure you have the information you need regarding any potential 2024 government shutdown and how it might affect your everyday life. Here’s what you need to know:

If the government does shut down, our team will still be here to help with any urgent federal matters and to end the Republican stalemate.

Many federal agencies will be forced to furlough staff, which will slow response times and, in some cases, may suspend their services all together. This may include but is not limited to passport appointments, assistance with Social Security, Medicaid, IRS as well as Veterans Affairs. You can reach our office by email or phone.

I am deeply disappointed that the unnecessary shutdown will have severe impacts on some of our neighbors' lives. My staff and I will do everything in our power to help you during what hopefully will be a limited time and to help bring the government shutdown to a close.

How did we get here?

Each year, Congress must pass legislation to fund government operations for the coming fiscal year. While Democrats are united in fighting to maintain spending for the programs our communities need to thrive, House Republicans cannot even find consensus among themselves to fund the government and now Donald Trump ordered them to shut down the government.

We deserve assurances that our government can serve us, and House Republican disarray and selfish strategy risks impacting government services and weakening our economy. Since working Americans will feel these impacts first, I remain committed to eliminating this unnecessary shutdown.

Need Assistance?

In these challenging times, your engagement and vigilance are more vital than ever. Together, we can work towards a resolution that prioritizes the well-being of all Americans.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (415) 258-9657 with any questions or concerns.

Get Help from Our Caseworkers: Constituent Services Request Form

Call My Office: (415) 258-9657

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes a government shutdown?

The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills that finance the operations of federal agencies and programs. These appropriations bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. If a new appropriations bill isn't enacted by this deadline, Congress needs to pass a temporary measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which sustains the government's funding at its current level. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to a lack of authorized funding.

Will I continue to receive my Social Security?

A shutdown will not impact Social Security benefit payments but be aware that new benefit verification and card issuance services have ceased, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims.

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?

Medicare and Medicaid will continue for the foreseeable future, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies as some employees are furloughed. The Medicare open enrollment period running from October 15 through December 7 will be unaffected, although communications from the agency may be stalled or outdated.

Will Open Enrollment on Healthcare.gov still take place?

The federal insurance marketplace open enrollment will be unaffected. Open Enrollment will proceed as normal from November 1 through January 15.

Is USPS still delivering mail?

All services under the Postal Service will continue unimpacted throughout the government shutdown.

Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?

Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans can continue to be obligated and make disbursement during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. However, department staff needed to carry out and support these functions are significantly reduced. Free Applications for Student Aids (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. 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.

What happens to federal employees during a shutdown?

Federal employees from shut-down agencies are either furloughed—prohibited from work and unpaid—or required to work without pay if their roles are deemed essential to public safety. While Congress has traditionally approved retroactive payment for these employees once the government reopens, this does not prevent the immediate financial difficulties they face. During the 2018-2019 partial government shutdown, around 2 million people were employed by the federal government; 380,000 of them were furloughed and 420,000 worked without pay. Many delayed mortgage or credit card payments, risking late fees or loan defaults. Government contractors, unlike direct federal employees, typically do not receive back pay after shutdowns. In the 2018-2019 shutdown, it's estimated that 4.1 million people worked under government contracts, though the exact number of those furloughed is unclear.

Do military personnel continue working?

The Department of Defense will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue their usual duty. However, our service members will not receive pay during the shutdown. It is unacceptable that the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation are going unpaid because of House Republican chaos.

Can veterans still get treatment at the VA or access other services?

All functions within the Veterans Health Administration will continue and veterans will continue to receive compensation and pension claims.

With COVID cases rising, how are HHS or the CDC impacted by the shutdown?

HHS will continue to fight COVID-19 during a lapse in appropriation. Funding provided in FY20 and FY21 emergency supplemental will enable NIH to continue COVID-19 research and the FDA will continue to support drug and medical device reviews as well as emergency use authorizations and countermeasures to fight the pandemic. HHS will also continue to monitor disease outbreaks. We expect 40% of HHS employees to be furloughed. The CDC will continue its public health practices including monitoring disease outbreaks, but we expect a majority of its staff will be furloughed.

Should I cancel my upcoming travel?

You can and should continue to enjoy your travel plans! TSA officers and Air Traffic Controllers are considered essential and are reporting to work throughout the shutdown. Roughly 82,766 people fly through Illinois airports every day and now face potential delays and safety concerns due to staffing impacts on TSA agents and air traffic controllers. Please have patience with any delays and keep in mind that both TSA and air traffic controllers are currently working without pay.

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.

What about international travel?

All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Will my passport renewal still be processed?

Passport applications will continue to be processed. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all of Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a lapse of appropriations.

Will immigration applications still be processed?

Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and thus are not normally impacted by a lapse in appropriations. Immigration court cases on the detained docket will proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement will retain the vast majority of their employees during a shutdown.

Are National Parks closed?

National Parks will remain open but please exercise caution during any visits as most services will be halted. Visitor centers will be closed, entrance fees won't be collected, educational programs will be canceled, and campsites won't be staffed. In many instances, restrooms will be closed and services like trash collection and road maintenance will be suspended. There are also limited emergency/rescue services and safety updates will not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits or hikes in our National Parks.

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 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 is 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.

I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC, will I keep getting my payments?

SNAP payments will continue during the month of October but if the shutdown lasts into November or beyond, benefits may be impacted. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), will only continue at the state and local level. In Illinois, this means over 165,000 people are at risk of losing nutrition assistance, including nearly 45,000 infants.