2023 POTENTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Your Guide to Staying Informed During the Potential 2023 Government Shutdown

As you know, unfortunately, the government appears to be heading towards a potential shutdown due to Congressional Republicans' inaction to fund the government and keep operations open.

If legislation is not enacted to continue to fund the government, at 12:00am ET on October 1, 2023, 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 2023 government shutdown and how it might affect your everyday life. Here’s what you need to know:

How did we get here?

Each year, Congress must pass legislation to fund government operations for the coming fiscal year. While Democrats and President Biden are united in fighting to maintain spending for the programs our communities need to thrive, House Republicans cannot find consensus, even among themselves to fund the government and have failed to pass reasonable legislation to do so.

We deserve assurances that our government can serve us, and the tactics of House Republicans, who currently control the chamber, risk impacting government services and weakening our economy. Since working Americans will feel these impacts first, I remain committed to eliminating this unnecessary shutdown.

What does this mean for you?

DISCLAIMER: The following information is accurate if a shutdown were to occur, as of September 28, 2023, 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.

Office of Rep. Adriano Espaillat

Regardless of a government shutdown, our office will remain open to assist you. Constituents of New York’s 13th Congressional District who need assistance can send us a message or one of our caseworkers, 9-5pm, Mon-Fri, at (212)-497-5959. Please note, we will have a greatly reduced ability to assist constituents as many Federal Agencies will be closed due to the shutdown. If you have a comment or would like to share how this shutdown is impacting you, please send us a message, or reach out to our Washington, D.C. office, 9-5pm, Mon-Fri, at (202)-225-4365.

U.S. Postal Service

Post Offices will remain open, and mail delivery will continue. USPS will not be affected because it is an independent agency whose operations are not funded by tax dollars.

Food Assistance Programs

The following programs will continue operations, but the situation may change depending on the length of the shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Child Nutrition (CN) Programs will continue operations at least until February 2024.

Social Security

Social Security checks will be mailed out as usual. This process is largely automated and remains staffed in a limited capacity during a shutdown. However, new applications and folks needing to update their information may experience delays. For inquiries about your application, please contact my district office at (212)-497-5959.

Veterans

VA services will still be available. Please note that VA call centers and hotlines will be temporarily closed, and Veterans Benefits Administration public contact services will not be available. There are reports of minor delays in receiving discharge documentation necessary to process loan applications.

Travel

Air travel should generally not be affected, but you may experience some longer times at TSA, or delays/cancellations due to staffing issues. TSA, Air Traffic Controllers, and Customs and Border Protection agents will continue their operations. However, all aviation security workers – air traffic controllers, animal and plant inspectors, aviation safety experts, Customs and Border Patrol officials, and Transportation Security Agency officers are working without pay. Passport application processing and issuance may experience significant delays. Online applications for TSA PreCheck are being accepted, but the Department of Homeland Security suspends Global Entry applications during the shutdown.

FEMA

FEMA staff will continue to respond to emergencies.

Federal Grants and Business Opportunities

You are encouraged to always submit your grant application ahead of the deadline.​ Grants.gov is operational; however, there may be limited staff to provide assistance depending on the agency. The Grants.gov Contact Center phone number is 1-800-518-GRANTS, and email Support@Grants.gov. Small Business Administration Loans’ processing and adjudication will be impacted.

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

USCIS is fee-funded, so it remains open and continues to process applications. You should expect to attend interviews and appointments as scheduled.

Military Personnel

Active-duty military personnel will not be affected and will continue their duties as usual. Civilian employees and training operations may experience disruptions.

Federal Employees

Agencies will determine "essential personnel" on a case-by-case basis. Those classified as such will still be required to work. In 2013, legislation was passed to ensure all federal workers receive their full pay during a shutdown, once the government is re-opened. Some federal agencies may temporarily close, potentially affecting state and local agencies receiving federal funds.

National Parks

The Department of Interior intends to keep some parks and open-air memorials open, but you should expect some attractions to be closed or operating at a limited capacity. We recommend you verify that status of an attraction by visiting their website or contacting their office. Indoor facilities like the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Gallery of Art will be closed.

Visiting Washington D.C.

Many popular attractions may be affected. We encourage you to reach out to the office of the attraction you’re interested in visiting for more information. Capitol tours will not be offered. If you've booked a tour and wish to reschedule, please contact my Washington, DC office at (202) 225-4365.

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 provide limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop services like benefit verifications and processing overpayments. Customer service wait times will dramatically increase.

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?

Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months.

What happens to veterans' services?

All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits. However, veterans will be affected by the shutdown of other services that they count on, including education and job training, support for veteran-owned businesses, and even assistance for homeless veterans.

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 "excepted" work without pay during the shutdown. The employees classified as "not excepted" are put on unpaid furlough.

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 without pay. On-base non-acute health care will cease, although off-base care provided through Tricare will not be affected. On-base child care will be open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement will also be required to work without pay for the duration of a shutdown.

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.

Will air travel be affected?

Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job without pay. If some do not report to work, as has happened in prior shutdowns, there will be significant delays and longer wait times across the country.

What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?

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

How will this affect environmental protection and cleanup?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop inspecting most hazardous waste sites, as well as drinking water and chemical facilities. Efforts to address dangerous contaminants like PFAS — which are linked to severe health effects, including cancer — will be delayed, and cleanup activities at Superfund sites will slow or cease.

What is the impact on food assistance?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will quickly run out of funding and be unable to provide food for children and parents in need. In the case of a prolonged shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may also be affected.

What is the impact on food safety activities?

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

What is the impact on housing?

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 stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans. Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged shutdown.

How will this affect 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.

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.

What does this mean for medical research?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be forced to delay new clinical trials. New patients who are waiting for a chance at new treatment through a clinical trial will be turned away.

Will I still be able to visit National Parks and monuments?

Across the country, services that require National Park Service staff — including trash removal and operating campgrounds and concessions — may be stopped. Closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. Smithsonian museums may also be impacted by a lengthy shutdown.

How does this affect passports and help for Americans overseas?

Consular services, passport services, and visa services are expected to continue in the immediate aftermath of a government shutdown. In a prolonged shutdown, passport and visa issuance could be slowed. Access to passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.

What is the impact on state and local services?

The federal government shutdown will not immediately affect any state or local services. However, with federal funding cut off, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions.

“In these challenging times, your engagement and vigilance are more vital than ever. I am fighting for you and my office is here to help. Together, we can work towards a resolution that prioritizes the well-being of all Americans.”

– Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my Washington, DC office at (202) 225-4365 with any questions or concerns.