Shutdown Resources

A shutdown of the federal government could impact Vermonters in many ways, including changes to government services and benefits. This page will be updated as additional information becomes available. The list of government resources below is not exhaustive. For additional questions about the shutdown and how it impacts you, call my office at 802-863-2525 or 202-224-4242.  

To submit casework requests, click here. Although my offices will remain open, our ability to assist with individual casework inquiries will be limited during the shutdown.   

Government Services

Agriculture and Farming: State and local farm service centers operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be closed, including Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development (RD), and Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) offices. Loan and disaster application processing will pause. However, the Risk Management Agency will continue to process crop insurance payments and payouts in the short term. 

Air Travel: Air travel will continue as usual. Travelers should prepare for longer lines as some security checkpoints may be closed due to staffing shortages of TSA and Air Traffic Control agents. 

Federal Housing: All 80 regional Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offices will close. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will also pause operations, meaning those looking to obtain or refinance a mortgage through FHA will not be able to do so. FHA will be unable to insure new mortgages on homes that require new or renewed policy coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). All USDA mortgage lending for single-family and multifamily housing in rural areas will cease. The Department of Veterans Affairs is expected to continue guaranteeing home loans.

Federal Student Aid: Colleges and universities may not be able to process awards for incoming students. Please contact your specific college or university for more information. 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Tax refunds, unless filed electronically with direct deposit, won’t be issued to late filers, and payments will not be processed. Customer service lines to resolve taxpayer questions will close, as will Taxpayer Assistance Centers.  

Passports: The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to issue passports. However, depending on where you live, the State Department may curtail issuing passports when those passport services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is closed pending the shutdown.

Postal Services: The United States Postal Service is an independent entity and will continue to deliver mail.

Small Businesses: If you have a small business loan, you should contact your lender. If the SBA has already processed your loan, then your lender should be able to disburse your loan funds to you in a timely manner. SBA support services may be suspended during a shutdown. Federally-assisted loans and technical assistance are unavailable.

U.S. Embassies: Embassies abroad will remain open to some degree, but U.S. citizens should expect delays in processing visa applications or requests. 

Government Benefits

Affordable Care Act and Vermont Health Connect: Affordable Care Act health insurance is not impacted by a government shutdown. Beginning November 1st, Vermonters can enroll in the online health insurance exchange Vermont Health Connect. Vermont Health Connect is online at http://healthconnect.vermont.gov or can be reached at 855-899-9600. 

Medicare: Medicare patients can still see their health care providers and providers will continue to submit bills and get paid for their services. However, new Medicare cards will not be issued, and new Medicare beneficiaries may not be accepted into the program.

Social Security: Checks will be sent out along with new cards. However, new claims may not be processed and questions and inquiries may not be answered during the shutdown.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC: SNAP recipients will receive benefits for the month of October, but November benefits may be impacted, depending on the duration of the shutdown. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefit disbursement is dependent on the State of Vermont.

Unemployment Benefits: In Vermont, the first 14-20 weeks of unemployment are state benefits. In most cases, if there is a short-term federal government shutdown, unemployment benefits should not be interrupted, but individuals should check with their state agencies for information.

Unemployment Benefits for Federal Employees: Furloughed federal employees are eligible for unemployment benefits administered by the State of Vermont. Unemployment benefits are distributed weekly, but the employee must be out of work for one pay period to prove loss of benefits. Also, furloughed employees may not receive both unemployment benefits and a federal salary. Check the Vermont Department of Labor website for eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Veterans and Servicemembers

Military: Military personnel on active duty, including reserve component personnel on federal active duty, will continue to report for duty and carry out assigned duties. Orders for members of the National Guard currently performing duties under Title 32 will be terminated unless such duties are in support of excepted activities.  

Veteran Disability Compensation: Claims processing and payments in the compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation programs are anticipated to continue through late October. However, in the event of a prolonged shutdown, claims processing and payments in these programs would be suspended when available funding is exhausted. There may also be delays in the processing of any new claims for disability compensation, and VA staff may be furloughed. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Education Call Center will not be available, but all other hotlines will remain open.

Veteran Education Benefits: Veteran students receiving monthly stipends under the GI bill and who verified their enrollment at the end of September should receive their regular monthly stipend for the month of October as planned. Please note that the length of the federal government shutdown may delay future monthly stipends. Any educational benefits for veterans based on reimbursement (that is, by bills sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs) may experience delays in processing and payment.

Veteran Home Loans: There may be delays in processing VA home loan applications depending on the shutdown plan for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veteran Life Insurance Benefits: If your VA life insurance program is administered by Prudential (that is, Servicemembers Groups Life Insurance and Veterans Group Life Insurance) then you should not see any delay in the processing of your VA life insurance claim or payments. VA life insurance programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, however, may be impacted depending upon the shutdown plan for the VA.

Veteran Medical Services: All VA medical facilities and clinics will remain open. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Education Call Center will not be available, but all other hotlines will remain open.

Veteran Pensions: Payments for the month of October are scheduled to be delivered. If the shutdown is prolonged, there may be delays in processing future benefits and new claims since VA staff may be furloughed.