Although certain parts of the federal government pause operations during a shutdown, most benefits and vital services for Americans continue. Please consult the list below for questions regarding specific agencies and programs. Federal employees are guaranteed by law to be reimbursed for any missed pay during a shutdown.
DC Tours and Flag Requests:
All tours and flag requests will be temporarily suspended.
Social Security:
Monthly benefits checks will continue, both for retirement and disability. Disability hearings will continue and people can apply for new benefits. Social Security Numbers and cards will continue to be issued. The Social Security Administration will not do any benefit or earnings verifications or replace Medicare cards, but new ones will be issued.
Medicare:
Medicare will still continue to process and pay Medicare claims. Utahns can still sign up for Medicare through the Social Security Administration. Medicare will not add new or recertify physicians during this time and fewer providers will be recertified. Doctors who do not need to be recertified will continue as normal.
Medicaid:
Medicaid and CHIP funds will continue as normal to states. Some services to states will be affected, such as state plan amendments or 1115 demonstration requests.
SNAP, Child Nutrition, and WIC:
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will continue to provide funding. The State of Utah reported WIC will continue through October.
Veterans Affairs:
In the case of a government shutdown, there will be no impact on Veteran health care. Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries; VA will continue to process and deliver all benefits to Veterans, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits; and the Board of Veterans' Appeals will continue to process appeals.
Disability payments will continue unless the U.S. Treasury is affected by a prolonged shutdown.
Some public-facing offices will be closed, including some regional offices, career counseling, transition assistance, and cemetery grounds maintenance.
Post Office:
Post Office operations will continue as normal.
FAA:
Over 1/3 of employees will be furloughed, while the others (including air traffic controllers) are considered essential workers. FAA will cease new air traffic control specialist trainings, aviation rule making, facility security inspections, development/testing of new technologies and safety standards, law enforcement assistance support, and most functions related to finance, budgeting, and administration.
IRS:
The current contingency plan dictates that the IRS is kept fully operational on funds from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and all employees will continue their payroll.
Passports:
Most passport applications received through the mail will continue, but may be delayed. It is possible some in-person Passport Agency appointments may be affected if the government building is closed. Utah does not have any in-person Agency locations.
USCIS/Immigration:
Most USCIS operations will continue; USCIS is primarily paid for by applications fees. The E-Verify website will be down; employers may use the alternative remote document review process for the I-9 document verification. The Department of Labor will stop issuing Foreign Labor & PERM Certificates, which may impact companies hiring foreign labor.
Department of State/Visas:
Most visa services are fee-funded so they will continue in most instances. If some posts do not have enough funds to cover the visa processing, they will only process diplomatic visas and handle emergency visa processing. Emergency U.S. citizen services will continue.
Customs and Border Protection and ICE:
Inspections and law enforcement will continue and ICE will still process removals.
Housing/HUD:
Some FHA loans may not be able to be endorsed; please check with your lender to verify. HUD loan closings may be affected depending on the closing date. Housing counseling will not be available. Section 8 assistance will continue until current funds are exhausted.
FBI:
All agents will continue to work.
Federal Prisons:
All prison staffers will continue to work.
Federal Courts:
Federal courts have enough money to stay open until Oct. 13. The Supreme Court will stay open.
SEC & FTC
Both will be almost entirely closed, with the exception of emergencies, litigation, and enforcement matters.
Guidance from the Governor’s Office
