FAQs: Navigating a Government Shutdown
The federal government shuts down when Congress does not approve the budget bills that fund essential agencies and programs, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Puerto Rico’s Nutrition Assistance Program (PAN, known in English as NAP). These budgets keep the government running until the end of each fiscal year, which concludes on September 30, 2025.
For Puerto Rico, the risk is significant, especially during a prolonged government shutdown: federal funds support disaster recovery, health services, food assistance, and housing. Without a new budget or a temporary measure known as a continuing resolution (CR), these essential programs remain uncertain.
NEED HELP?
Even if some federal services are delayed or interrupted, the Resident Commissioner’s office will remain open to assist you. If you have questions or need assistance, you can contact:
Caguas: (787) 230-7959
Washington, DC Office: (202) 225-2615
Federal and Social Programs
Will I keep receiving my Social Security checks?
Yes. Beneficiaries will continue receiving their Social Security checks.
Are local Social Security offices open and what services do they offer?
Local Social Security offices will remain open to the public but with reduced services. During this time, they can help you:
Apply for benefits
File an appeal
Change your address or direct deposit information
Report a death
Verify or change your citizenship status
Replace a lost or missing Social Security payment
Obtain a critical payment
Change a representative payee
Get a new or replacement Social Security card
Will Medicare and Medicaid be affected?
No. As long as the shutdown does not last more than three months, Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance will continue unchanged. Beneficiaries will keep receiving their benefits.
What happens with PAN and SNAP benefits during a shutdown?
In Puerto Rico, the Nutrition Assistance Program (PAN/NAP) will not be affected, unless the shutdown lasts too long.
Will WIC benefits be affected during a shutdown?
The agency has indicated that WIC will continue operating, but only subject to the availability of funds.
Will the mail remain open?
Yes. Mail services will not be affected by a government shutdown and will continue delivering.
What is the impact on student loans?
Pell Grants and Federal Direct Loans will continue to be paid during a shutdown, but only as long as funds remain from the previously approved budget.
How will Head Start be affected?
Day-to-day operations will depend on the individual funding of each program. You should contact your child’s Head Start program for more information.
What happens with passport and immigration applications?
Visas and passports continue to be processed because they are funded through fees, so they are normally not affected by a shutdown. Immigration cases for detained individuals will continue, but cases for non-detained individuals are postponed until the government reopens. USCIS, as well as embassies and consulates, continue offering essential services.
Will Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) continue operating?
Daily operations will depend on each clinic’s funding. You should contact your health center directly for more information.
Will I have access to federal rental and housing assistance during a shutdown, such as Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) or Section 8?
For now, you will continue receiving HUD assistance as long as funds are available. A prolonged shutdown could affect access to that aid.
What is the impact on small businesses?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, such as those under the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue to operate normally.
What is the impact on agricultural loans and grants?
A government shutdown, combined with the suspension of Farm Bill programs, has stopped the processing of loan or grant applications at the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development, and other USDA agencies. This could affect farmers and rural communities that rely on these resources.
What happens with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) during a government shutdown?
The FSA notified its state and county offices that its authority to administer CRP ends after Tuesday. Since Congress has not passed a new Farm Bill extending the program beyond fiscal year 2025, CRP enrollments and related activities will be suspended.
What happens with food inspection?
The FDA has paused routine facility inspections but continues handling emergencies and screening imported food. The USDA, on the other hand, continues inspecting meat, poultry, and eggs because the law requires it. Other non-urgent services are halted until the government reopens.
Federal Buildings and National Parks
Will IRS offices and other federal buildings remain open?
IRS offices and other federal buildings that serve the public may suspend services or operate with limited staff, resulting in delays and reduced availability. However, the latest IRS guidance indicates that, for now, they are expected to remain open for at least the next five days.
What happens to federal courts during a shutdown?
Federal courts, such as the Luis A. Ferré Court in Ponce and the José V. Toledo Federal Building in San Juan, may have some services and operations interrupted.
Will tax refunds be delayed?
In previous shutdowns, IRS phone lines, taxpayer dispute resolutions, and the issuance of tax refunds were delayed.
Will national parks and historic sites in Puerto Rico remain open?
During a shutdown, parks and federally managed lands, such as El Yunque, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, and Castillo San Cristóbal, generally close or reduce public services.
What happens with tours of the Capitol and the White House?
Visitor centers and guides at federal buildings are considered non-essential, so they remain closed during a shutdown. This means all tours of the U.S. Capitol, the White House, and the FBI Building are canceled.
Federal Employees
Which federal employees continue working during a government shutdown?
During a shutdown, federal agencies must classify employees as “exempt” or “non-exempt.”
Exempt employees continue working without pay.
Non-exempt employees are placed on unpaid furlough.
The Fair Treatment for Federal Employees Act of 2019 guarantees all federal employees will receive back pay once the shutdown ends. Former President Trump has threatened to unnecessarily fire thousands of federal employees during a shutdown, as he has attempted throughout this year.
I am a government contractor. What should I expect?
Government facilities will be closed. No new contracts or modifications will be issued, and procurement processes will face delays.
What happens with the Federal Work-Study program during a government shutdown?
Federal Work-Study will continue as long as universities already have their allocated federal funds. However, no new funds will be approved or disbursed until the government reopens.
Will military and federal retirement benefits be suspended?
No. Military and federal retirees will continue receiving their benefits. However, the processing of new applications or requested changes may be delayed.
National Security and Veterans
What happens with VA benefits during a shutdown?
VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pensions, education, and housing.
What happens with VA hospitals and clinics during a shutdown?
They will remain open and continue providing medical care. Some administrative services may be limited, so you should contact your local VA office.
What happens with military personnel and the armed forces?
In past shutdowns:
All active-duty military, as well as National Guard and Reserve members on duty, continued working.
Medical care on bases was reduced to emergency services, but off-base care covered by Tricare was not affected.
Childcare on bases was allowed on a case-by-case basis.
Federal law enforcement and public safety agencies also continued working.
Neither military personnel nor law enforcement officers received pay until after the shutdown ended.
What happens with disaster relief efforts?
FEMA personnel will continue responding to immediate emergencies. However, in previous shutdowns, long-term projects were delayed due to lack of funds in the Disaster Relief Fund.
Will commercial air travel be affected?
In past shutdowns, air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents continued working. However, they did not receive pay until after the shutdown ended.
Funding for Local Municipalities
Will state and local services be affected?
The federal government shutdown will not immediately affect state or local services. However, with federal funds cut off, some state and municipal governments may have to adjust operations. For specific questions, contact your state or local agencies.
What happens with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds during a government shutdown?
Previously allocated CDBG funds can continue to be used. However, no new funds or renewals will be processed until the government reopens.
What happens with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs and funding during a government shutdown?
Most FTA programs are funded through the Highway Trust Fund, which is not subject to annual appropriations. This means formula grants to states and transit agencies (such as those supporting buses, rail, and ferries) generally continue even during a shutdown. However, programs dependent on annual appropriations—as well as new grant approvals, project agreements, and technical assistance—are typically paused until the government reopens.