Government Shut Down in Effect: What it Means for us

(October 14th 2025) As of midnight, the federal government has shut down, due to Congress’s failure to pass a budget. The last time the government shut down was in late 2018-2019, during Trump’s first term. It was the longest shutdown in U.S. history, lasting 35 days.

Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, and their budget includes harmful provisions that will lead to increased healthcare costs for Americans. Healthcare access and affordability is at the center of the debate around the budget, and thus far Republicans have refused to negotiate. 

The Trump administration and Congress have already passed policies that will dismantle healthcare access in the coming years, using procedures that require fewer votes to pass. Democrats view the current budget fight as an opportunity to prevent further damage to the healthcare system, and to make sure that premiums don’t increase dramatically. This would require a change to the Republicans’ proposed budget - namely, the extension of tax credits that have helped to keep insurance affordable for those who access healthcare on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. 

The issue of insurance affordability is critical. Most Americans cannot afford increased premiums, and the Republican budget will lead to further economic hardship. 

A government shutdown, however, also comes with its own harms and risks. Black communities will be especially impacted, given that we are disproportionately employed by the federal government, and government employees will be furloughed without pay for the duration of the shutdown.

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We must exert pressure on our elected officials to do the following:

• Pass a budget that prevents increased insurance premiums; and

• Do this as quickly as possible, to end the government shutdown. 

Contact your representative today!

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Government Shutdown Q&A

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Impact on Government Benefits and Services

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Will I continue to receive my Social Security checks?

Yes, you will continue to receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks. However, some Social Security services are likely to be slowed down, including benefit verifications and issuance of Medicare replacement cards. There may also be reduced hours at field offices.  

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I am on food assistance. Will my programs be affected?

Food assistance programs will not be impacted immediately, but may be disrupted in the case of a lengthy shutdown. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will continue to receive their October payments, even during a shutdown. If the shutdown lasts longer than 30 days, however, SNAP benefits could be delayed or interrupted entirely.  

Benefits through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may also be disrupted if the shutdown lasts longer than one week.

Will I still be able to use my Medicaid and Medicare?

Yes. Medicare and Medicaid will not be impacted, and benefits will continue as usual.

Will I still receive my mail? 

Yes, the U.S. Postal Service is largely self-funded, and will remain operational.

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I am a veteran, will my health care be impacted? How will other veterans’ services be impacted?

No, veterans’ health care will not be impacted by a shutdown. Benefits such as pension, education, and housing benefits will continue to be processed and delivered.

Access to some Veterans’ Affairs (VA) resources will be restricted, including outreach, career counseling, transition assistance, and cemetery grounds maintenance. Regional VA offices will also be closed.

Will immigration applications still be processed?

Visa and passport operations are not normally impacted during a shutdown. Some immigration cases may be delayed.

Law enforcement, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, will still be operational. As ICE ramps up its attacks on our communities - especially in Chicago - residents should continue to remain vigilant in order to protect ourselves and our communities during the shutdown.

Do I still have to pay my student loans?

Yes, student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt. Federal student aid employees will still be working during a government shutdown.

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Information for Federal Employees

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I am a federal employee. Will I receive back pay for furloughed days? 

Yes.  After the 2018-2019 partial shutdown, Congress passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which requires retroactive pay for furloughed employees following the end of a government shutdown.

Generally, benefits such as health insurance continue during a shutdown furlough; however, federal employees may need to wait until they are returned to pay status before they can adjust their benefits.

I am a federal worker, contractor, or I am employed at a federal building that will not be open. Can I file for unemployment benefits?

Yes. If the government shuts down, furloughed federal workers and contractors can apply for unemployment.

Federal employees considered essential and working, but not getting paid due to a shutdown, are not eligible for unemployment. 

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TLDR:

Congress has failed to pass a federal budget, and the federal government shut down as of Midnight. Republicans have refused to negotiate with Democrats, who are demanding that changes be made to prevent skyrocketing insurance premiums for most Americans. 

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Depending on the length of the shutdown, food assistance benefits may be impacted, along with other programs outlined below. Federal workers may be furloughed or will be required to work without pay. These changes will disproportionately impact Black communities. 

We encourage members to contact their representatives and urge them to quickly pass a budget that does not result in increased costs for families.

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