Government Shutdown: What You Need to Know
If you are a federal employee, click here.
I know many people are worried about this government shutdown. I am doing everything I can to push for a bipartisan solution to end this crisis as quickly as possible. Families in St. Louis and across the country should not have to carry the burden of Washington gridlock.
During a shutdown, many federal agencies operate with limited staff, which disrupts the services people depend on. My office is open and here to help you navigate these challenges. Below, you’ll find answers to common questions, resources, and contact information for my team.
If you need assistance, please call my district office at (314) 955-9980 or visit bell.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency
What is a government shutdown?
Each fiscal year, Congress must pass appropriations bills to fund the federal government. If these bills are not signed into law by the start of the new fiscal year, agencies lose funding. Many workers are furloughed, while others are required to work without pay to keep critical services running.
What are the economic consequences?
Shutdowns are costly. The five-week partial shutdown in 2018–2019 reduced economic output by $11 billion, and the 2013 shutdown reduced GDP growth by $20 billion. They disrupt families, delay services, and create uncertainty in our economy.
When will it end?
The shutdown can only end when Congress passes appropriations bills that are signed into law. That requires bipartisan action, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to reopen the government swiftly.
Getting help during a shutdown
Even during a shutdown, my office will continue to operate and serve the constituents of Missouri’s First District. My office is here to help with backlogged veterans benefits, Social Security and Medicare issues, disaster assistance, stalled passports, and much more. While federal agencies may experience delays and are operating on a more limited basis, my team will still do whatever we can to assist during this time.
If you need assistance with a federal agency, please visit bell.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency or call my district office at (314) 955-9980 during business hours to get started.
What’s the impact on federal employees?
Click here to find resources for federal employees during a government shutdown.
During a shutdown, “excepted” federal employees must continue working but do so without pay until the government reopens. Those who are “not excepted” are placed on furlough, meaning they are temporarily out of work. All federal workers will eventually receive back pay, but contractors will not unless Congress takes separate action. Health insurance coverage also continues during a shutdown for both furloughed and excepted employees.
Furloughed federal employees that need additional assistance with medical bills, housing, food, and other expenses, can visit their local human services center or visit the St. Louis City or St. Louis County’s human services website. Your financial institution or credit union may offer loans at 0% to cover your living expenses during a shutdown. For more details, you can contact your local branch.
What’s the impact on military servicemembers?
Active-duty military personnel are required to keep working even if their pay is delayed. Some services on bases, such as non-acute health care and child care, may be reduced or temporarily closed. Off-base care provided through Tricare is not affected.
What’s the impact on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid?
Payment of Social Security (including Disability Income or Retirement Income) benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid will continue during a shutdown, but many related services may slow down. Tasks such as issuing new cards, verifying benefits, or responding to customer service inquiries may face significant delays, leading to longer wait times.
Medicare Beneficiaries
If you are a Medicare Beneficiary:
- Contact 1-800 Medicare (1-800- 633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
- Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for one-on-one insurance counseling assistance. Contact information may be found here: https://www.shiphelp.org/
- Refer to www.medicare.gov for more information on the Medicare program benefits.
Healthcare Professionals
- If you are a healthcare professional: Contact your Medicare Administrative Contractor by following this link: https://www.cms.gov/mac-info
Medicaid Applicant/Enrollee or Related to the Medicaid Program
- If your issue is related to the Medicaid Program, contact your State Medicaid Agency. Contact information may be found at: www.medicaid.gov/renewals
What’s the impact on Veterans?
Veterans’ medical care through the VA medical facilities and clinics remains available, and benefits continue to be processed. However, certain support programs, like job training, may be temporarily suspended until funding resumes.
What’s the impact on small businesses?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) may continue normal operations with the Disaster Loan Program. However, they will stop processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. In the 2018–2019 shutdown, this caused over $2 billion worth of small business loans to be delayed, a setback that could occur again.
What’s the impact on agriculture?
Farmers may face delays as USDA farm loan processing and some risk coverage programs are paused. This interruption can affect both ongoing operations and long-term planning.
What’s the impact on education & student loans?
Funding for Title I,IDEA programs and Head Start will continue. There may be delays in processing applications for the Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), disbursing Pell Grants, and servicing Federal student loans. Student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their debt.
Further, schools, states and other grantees will continue to be able to access funds from awarded grants. But new grants, federal guidance, and investigations into civil rights complaints will be paused or scaled back.
What’s the impact on nutrition assistance?
Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC are vulnerable to funding disruptions and delayed access during a shutdown. For now, Families, women, and children who depend on these programs should expect to receive their monthly allotment and benefit, retailers will continue to accept SNAP benefits, and WIC recipients can attend their appointments. However, SNAP applications and the ability for USDA to send out new benefits can be affected by a shutdown.
What’s the impact on air travel?
Air traffic controllers and TSA officers must continue working without pay, which can strain staffing levels and lead to longer lines and travel delays. Passport processing, already slow in many cases, may face further delays.
What’s the impact on mail delivery?
Post Offices will remain open and mail delivery will continue. The U.S. Postal Service is funded separately from congressional appropriations and will continue its normal operations.
What’s the impact on federal housing loans?
In prior shutdowns, agencies like the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) stopped insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stopped processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) also stopped new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans.Thousands of people trying to buy a new home or refinance a FHA-insured mortgage will likely be put on standby.
What’s the impact on disaster relief efforts?
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies, but long-term projects or recovery efforts will be delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.
Please visit my disaster resources page for more information.
What’s the impact on food safety and public health?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may halt routine food safety inspections during a shutdown, though emergency inspections will still go forward to address immediate risks. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) to delay new clinical trials, potentially stalling critical medical research and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) ability to conduct workplace inspections would be limited. Finally, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) efforts to identify and clean up harmful contaminants in drinking water could be delayed.
What’s 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.