Navigating Uncertainty: Supporting Our Community Through a Government Shutdown

I recognize that a government shutdown can create feelings of uncertainty and stress for many of us. Whether you're a federal employee facing missed paychecks, a member of our brave military personnel serving our country, or someone who relies on essential programs to put food on the table or keep a roof over your family's head, a government shutdown can have far-reaching and difficult consequences. It disrupts daily lives, creates anxiety about the future, and raises concerns about the stability of services we depend on. During times like these, it’s important to remember that we are all in this together, and we remain committed to finding solutions that support and protect every member of our community.

Federal Benefits and Financial Assistance

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?

During a government shutdown, recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. This can lead to delays when trying to process claims. Additionally, customer service wait times have increased significantly during previous shutdowns. Social Security suspends many non-critical services in the event of a government shutdown, including benefit verification requests, earnings record corrections, third-party requests and overpayment processing.

What happens to my Medicare and Medicaid benefits?

Your Medicare or Medicaid coverage will not be immediately interrupted. However, a shutdown can cause administrative delays and longer call wait times for certain services. The Social Security Administration, which handles Medicare cards, does not issue replacement Medicare cards during a shutdown. Medicare beneficiaries can create or log into their Medicare account online to access and print their Medicare card.

Medicare telehealth coverage will be impacted as the Covid-era law expanding access to telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries expired on September 30, 2025. Rep. Elfreth has co-sponsored HR 4206, the CONNECT for Health Care Act, which extends this telehealth coverage. If you have Medicare coverage, please consult with your provider about scheduled telehealth appointments. 

During a brief federal shutdown, Maryland Department of Health (MDH) services will continue without interruption for Marylanders, including:

• Medicaid coverage;
• Medicaid waiver services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
• Inpatient care at the Maryland Healthcare System facilities; and
• Public health activities, such as respiratory virus vaccination clinics, food safety monitoring and laboratory work.

What happens to my SNAP or WIC benefits?

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and  Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recipients will not be impacted immediately, but could be affected the longer the shutdown continues.

Will I still have access to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), including cash assistance?

The Maryland Department of Human Services will maintain the availability of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-funded program services (e.g., Temporary Cash Assistance or TCA, employment training programs) without interruptions to Marylanders. 

To check your eligibility for these programs you can use the links provided below:

• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): TEFAP provides emergency food assistance to families in need through local food banks and food pantries. If you live in Montgomery or Prince George’s County, find a location nearest to you. If you live in any other area in Maryland, find resources using your address or zip code.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP): SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, provides food benefits to families. Use Maryland's Unified Benefits Screener to quickly and easily check eligibility.
• Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA): TCA provides cash assistance to families with dependent children while preparing participants for independence through work. TCA benefits can be used to pay for rent, utilities, and basic household items. Use Maryland's Unified Benefits Screener to quickly and easily check eligibility.

What is the impact on veterans' services?

During a government shutdown, all VA medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. However, VA call centers and hotlines cease to function, and Veterans Benefits Administration public contact services are not available.

Burials will continue at VA cemeteries. 

The Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) is home to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides one-time grant awards to assist with temporary financial challenges. Active-duty service members, Maryland National Guard/Reserves, Veterans, Gold Star Parents/Spouses, and Widow/Widowers may apply online. To learn more about resources to support veterans and military families in Maryland, visit Maryland’s website for Maryland workers impacted by recent federal actions to view resources for veterans.

Will assistance related to my federal student loans be affected?

Key activities at Federal Student Aid will continue for a few weeks, but a prolonged shutdown could disrupt the agency’s ability to assist borrowers.

A shutdown could also delay the process for students applying to the FAFSA and seeking financial aid. State and school-based financial aid may still be available, so reach out to your school for guidance.

Will the IRS be available for tax filings and tax refunds?

If you are filing your 2024 taxes with a valid extension, you are still required to file by the October 16 deadline. You may experience significant delays in processing tax refunds due to staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown. 

Will federal disaster relief be available to communities affected by hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should still respond to emergencies, but long-term projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding for the Disaster Relief Fund.

What is the impact on small businesses?

A shutdown halts federal loans to small businesses. During a shutdown, the Small Business Administration stops approving applications for small businesses to obtain loans and loan guarantees. Moody’s Analytics estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown delayed over $2 billion in loans to small businesses.

What is the impact on federal housing loans?

FHA will have limited staff during a shutdown and the processing or closing of FHA-insured loans may be delayed.  The longer the shutdown lasts, the more serious the impact will be.  All FHA underwriting and processing requirements would remain in force during the government shutdown and no loan may be endorsed that does not fulfill those requirements.

A shutdown may delay the processing or closing of your FHA-insured loan.  Please contact your lender for the exact status of your FHA loan.

Will I have access to federal rental and housing assistance during a shutdown, such as Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)?

During a brief shutdown, federal housing program participants may continue to receive assistance through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development under the following programs:

• HUD Housing Choice and Special Population Vouchers (Section 8)
• HUD Public Housing
• HUD Project-Based Section 8/Subsidized Housing
• HUD Continuum of Care Program (Homeless Assistance)
• VA Homeless and Housing Programs (HUD-VASH Vouchers, Transitional and Shelter Programs, Supportive Services for Veteran Families)
• Maryland Homelessness Solutions Program (Homeless Assistance)

During the federal shutdown, program participants must continue to pay their portion of the rent owed to their landlord or program administrator. Participants should contact their program immediately if they experience a disruption in rent payments or services.

What about adult and child protection programs and child support-related services?

Currently, the Maryland Department of Human Services will maintain the availability of services without interruption to Marylanders, including Adult protection services, child support-related services (e.g., establishing paternity and enforcing child support orders), and child welfare-related services including foster care, guardianship, and adoption assistance payments; family preservation services; and child abuse and neglect investigations

Federal Workers

Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?

When there is a government shutdown, federal agencies are required to classify their employees as either "essential" or "non-essential." The employees classified as "essential" continue to work during the shutdown. However, the employees classified as "non-essential" are put on unpaid furlough. In Maryland, a large portion of the federal workforce would be furloughed – meaning that they would not be allowed to work and would only be paid after the shutdown ends. Rep. Elfreth has introduced legislation to ensure federal employees who are required to work during a government shutdown are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance (UI).

Where can furloughed employees get financial assistance during a government shutdown?

Furloughed employees who are not working and who are not receiving pay can apply for Unemployment Insurance in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. Applicants must file for unemployment insurance in the state or district where they work. For instance, if your work station is in DC, but you live in Maryland, you must file for unemployment insurance in DC.

Furloughed employees of federal contractors may also be eligible for state UI. However, because those individuals will later receive back pay, they will need to repay their UI benefits once the government reopens. Federal employees can learn more online or apply.

Federal employees designated as “excepted from furlough” are not eligible for UI because they are still working. However, they are eligible for the State Federal Shutdown Loan Program beginning on October 6 through the Maryland Department of Labor. The program will support these workers, who are not eligible for unemployment insurance, by offering a no-interest loan of $700 to help meet essential expenses while they await backpay following the shutdown. Loan program information and the application will be available beginning October 6th at mdol.submittable.com/submit. For support, applicants can email MDshutdownloan@submittable.com or call 410-849-6424 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday) beginning October 6th.]

Various credit unions offer interest-free loans to impacted federal employees. Individuals who believe they may be furloughed during a government shutdown can call to inquire about setting up an account.

Federal financial resources include:

• Congressional Federal Credit Union: Furloughed employees and those working without pay can apply for the "Relief Line of Credit" with an interest-free rate over 60 days.
• FedChoice: The Federal Credit Union has several options listed in its Furlough Center at FedAssist Flex Loan.
• Navy Federal Credit Union: Impacted union members who have direct deposit of their government pay may be eligible for interest-free loans. Government contractors may be eligible if their direct deposit is received directly from the federal government and will be impacted by a government shutdown.
• U.S. Employees Credit Union: Impacted union members who have direct deposit of their government pay may be eligible for interest-free loans. According to its website, the Government Shutdown Loan is to be "repaid in 60 days or when the government processes back pay, whichever is sooner."
• USAA: Impacted federal employees that have direct deposit setup for a USAA bank can qualify for a no-interest loan.

State financial resources through Maryland credit unions or Maryland Chartered Banks may include:

• Emergency low-interest loans
• Penalty-free share certificate withdrawals
• Payment deferrals on existing loans
• Line of credit increases and 60-day 0% APR relief lines of credit
• Loan adjustments on a case-by-case basis
• Auto loan refinancing
• Increased credit card and credit line limits

To learn more, federal employees and contractors can contact their local credit union or visit Maryland’s shutdown resource page and click on “Loan Programs and Other Financial Assistance.

Do furloughed federal employees get back pay?

Yes, after the 2018/2019 shutdown, Congress passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 to ensure all federal employees receive back pay for the shutdown period once the government reopens.  However, for the tens of thousands of federal contractors who may get furloughed during a government shutdown, back pay is not guaranteed.

What is the impact on U.S. military personnel?                                         

All military personnel will continue their normal duty status without pay. Civilian personnel who are necessary to carry out expected activities will continue to work, but also will not be paid. Any civilian personnel that are not deemed essential will be furloughed. Additionally, elective surgeries for personnel will not be available during the shutdown. 

What if you are a State employee whose job is funded through Federal funding streams?

Governor Moore has reassured Maryland state employees whose positions are funded through federal funding streams that they would not be immediately impacted by the shutdown. These individuals work for the state of Maryland, and the state historically has been reimbursed for eligible federal expenses incurred during a shutdown. However, the State will continue to monitor the shutdown to assess if the Trump Administration does not abide by established precedent or if the shutdown continues for an extended period of time.

What housing and utilities resources are provided by the State during a shutdown for federal employees?

The State has taken steps to protect against evictions and foreclosures. This means an involuntarily furloughed federal government employee at risk of eviction or foreclosure can ask

the court to temporarily pause the eviction or foreclosure during the shutdown. Federal employees are protected even if they are required to work during a shutdown. According to statute, these protections only apply to government employees and not federal contractors. 

The State is also offering new protections to federal employees, so that their gas or electric provider cannot cut off service because they have not paid their bills. Federal employees are protected even if they are required to work during a shutdown. Federal employees must contact their electric or gas provider before their service is cut off to verify that they are a furloughed employee and agree to a payment plan to pay what they owe after the shutdown ends. These protections extend to all government employees—federal, state, and local—who may face involuntary furloughs as a result of a federal shutdown. These protections do not cover municipal water. 

Public Spaces and Utilities

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes. The approximately 500,000 Postal Service employees will continue delivering mail because the Postal Service is self-funded.

Will public schools be affected?

During a brief federal shutdown, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will continue to administer the Child Care Scholarship Program, funded through a mix of state funds and federal funds from the Child Care and Development Fund, without interruption.

• Families currently receiving Child Care Scholarships will continue to receive assistance paying for child care.
• Providers caring for children receiving Child Care Scholarships will continue receiving payments.

Head Start programs receive funding directly from the Federal government. The length of time each individual program will have the funding on hand to remain open will vary by site. Please contact your child’s Head Start program for more information. 

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

The majority of national parks will be closed during the shutdown, with the exception of parks that are physically accessible to the public, such as lookouts, campgrounds, trails, and open-air memorials. The National Mall in Washington, D.C. is an example of a federal park that will remain open. Bear in mind that federal staff will not be present to maintain park land during a shutdown. Park visitors should be prepared to see locked bathrooms, litter, and overflowing trashcans on national park lands. Museums operated by the federal government will close during the shutdown, including the Smithsonians and the National Zoo, although some museums may remain open for a few days using leftover funds from the previous fiscal year.

Will federal courts still be open?

Federal courts will continue to operate during a shutdown. Courts will continue to hear cases and discharge their constitutional duty even once their funding, including court fees and reserve funds, have lapsed.

Will air travel be affected?

Travelers could face longer lines at airport security checkpoints and flight delays during a shutdown. Some TSA agents did not report for work during the 2018-2019 shutdown, and some air traffic controllers were also absent, causing delays at major airports. Additionally, passports will continue to be issued, but processing of applications may be delayed or halted in an extended shutdown or at certain locations.                           

What is the impact on food safety activities?

The federal government will suspend most safety inspections for drinking water, food, worksites, and hazardous sites. The agency responsible for food inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will continue inspections of food being imported from outside the country. However, it will need to halt inspections of domestic food.

What is the impact on the Centers for Disease Control?

During a shutdown, CDC has to greatly curtail its activities that conduct flu and COVID-19 surveillance and monitoring, promote immunization, support state and local health departments, and update disease treatment and prevention recommendations.

How will this affect Citizenship and Immigration?             

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices will remain open, however, with decreased staff, slowdowns, and processing delays are to be expected.

Next Steps

What is the process to end a government shutdown, and can the President unilaterally end it?

To end a government shutdown, Congress needs to pass – and the President must sign – legislation to fund the departments and agencies that have been shut down. The President does not have the power to end a shutdown unilaterally. The funding bills follow the same legislative process as any other bill, requiring approval from both the House and Senate before the President can sign them into law.