Government Shutdown FAQ

Office of Rep. John Mannion

During the ongoing government shutdown, my DC and district offices remain open to assist constituents in NY-22.  I have provided the answers to some frequently asked questions below to help you stay informed. If you have additional questions or concerns, you can email me here or contact my DC office at (202) 225-3701, my Syracuse office at (315) 233-4333, or my Utica office at (315) 732-0713. Please note that this FAQ is regularly updated and may be subject to change.

 

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 is not enacted by this deadline, Congress must pass a temporary measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), to maintain the government's funding at its current level. For instance, a CR passed this year would maintain funding at Fiscal Year 2025 levels. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to lack of authorized funding. 

Will I continue to receive my Social Security? 

  • Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will provide limited services such as issuing Social Security cards and scheduling appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop services like issuing proof of income letters or replacing Medicare cards. The public will likely experience increased customer service wait times.  

Will my Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected? 

  • Medicare, Medicaid and disability insurance will be largely unaffected by a shutdown lasting less than three months. Current beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits. The public may experience increased wait times due to employees being furloughed. 

What will happen to my veteran services? 

  • All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits. However, some services – including in personal visits to regional VA benefits offices, the GI Bill Hotline, and career counseling – remain unavailable. 

What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement? 

  • In previous shutdowns, all active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders were excepted and therefore are required to work. On-base non-acute health care ceased, but off-base care provided through Tricare was not affected. On-base child child care was open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement was also required to work. Both military personnel and federal law enforcement will not be paid until after the shutdown is over. More information can be found here.

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 my mail still arrive?

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

What is the impact on food assistance? 

  • SNAP payments will continue through the month of October but if the shutdown extends 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. 

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. 

What is the impact on 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, however, they will work without pay, so please be patient with delays.  
  • All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. 

I am visiting Washington, 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, FBI Building, Library of Congress, National Archives, Supreme Court, State Department, Historic Treasury Building, and Bureau of Engraving and Printing have been canceled during the shutdown. The White House has been closed to tours since before the government shutdown, due to ongoing construction. 

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. 

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 agencies directly 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 will continue submitting congressional inquiries to federal agencies on behalf of constituents. However, some federal services and congressional inquiries may be delayed or paused during the shutdown. Once communications from a federal agency becomes available, they will be promptly shared with the constituent. 

 

Additional Resources:

Please Note that while our office is continuing to be of assistance by submitting casework inquiries to federal agencies, responses will likely be delayed due to staffing impacts from the government shutdown. It is unclear how long the shutdown will last, and there is no timeline for how long it will take to receive an agency response at this time.

New York State Resources

SNAP Issues

Immigration & Passport Issues 

Veterans Affairs (VA) Issues

Military Issues

Social Security Issues 

Medicare Issues 

Medicaid Issues 

Children's Health Insurance Program Issues 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Issues

Department of Education Issues

FEMA Issues

USPS Issues

State & County Representatives/Government


 

 

Contact Us

Washington DC Office
1516 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-3701
Syracuse District Office
440 South Warren Street
Suite 706
Syracuse, NY  13202
Phone: (315) 233-4333
Utica District Office
207 Genesee St
Suite 405
Utica, NY  13501
Phone: (315) 732-0713