What does the government shutdown 2025 mean?

The federal government is in a shutdown. Here's a guide on what you need to know. Due to a lapse in government funding, the federal government entered a shutdown at midnight on September 30, 2025. This means that, starting on October 1, the federal government's operations will be drastically reduced.

What is the main reason for the government shutdown in 2025?

From October 1 to November 12, 2025, the federal government of the United States was shut down as Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives advanced a continuing resolution, but Senate Democrats repeatedly blocked it.

Can I still get my passport with the government shut down?

Yes, you can generally get a passport during a government shutdown because U.S. Passport Services are considered essential and self-funded through fees, so they usually stay open; however, processing might slow down, especially if passport agencies are in other government buildings that close, and you can still apply at unaffected post offices or for urgent travel. 

Do I still get my Social Security if the government shuts down?

Yes, Social Security payments (Retirement, Disability, and SSI) will continue to be paid on time during a government shutdown because they are funded through trust funds and mandatory appropriations, not the annual budget process that gets interrupted, though some services like in-person help or processing new applications might slow down. 

What's being impacted by the government shutdown?

During a government shutdown, essential services related to national security and public safety like inpatient and emergency medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, border security, disaster aid, and power grid maintenance, continue, though they may face disruptions.

Why did the government shut down? | Government shutdown 2025

Do banks close during a government shutdown?

We will remain open and operational during the federal government shutdown. The FDIC stands ready to provide deposit insurance protection for bank customers.

Is a government shutdown a good thing?

A government shutdown adds additional uncertainty, disrupts critical services, delays payments and places more burden on rural communities already feeling significant stress.

What is closed during government shutdown?

During a U.S. government shutdown, non-essential federal agencies close, leading to closures of National Parks, Smithsonian Museums, and federal monuments, canceled tours (White House, Capitol), and delays in some Social Security, IRS, and SBA services, while essential services like law enforcement (FBI, CBP), air traffic control, and military operations generally continue, though some benefits (SNAP, WIC) and loan processing (FHA, SBA) face disruptions or delays, and even seemingly open services like airports can have major delays. 

Is there going to be an increase in Social Security payments in 2025?

The dollar amount increase to checks will vary depending on a person's benefit amount, but the average Social Security Retirement benefit, $2,008.31 in July 2025, will grow by about $56.

Who does not get paid during a government shutdown?

Federal employees who work during a shutdown don't get paid until the shutdown ends - including the military. This is a large reason for the delays in services that you may experience during a shutdown.

What jobs are affected by government shutdown?

A government shutdown affects nearly all federal employees, splitting them into two groups: those furloughed (sent home without pay) and essential workers (like law enforcement, military, air traffic controllers, and some healthcare staff) who must work without immediate pay, plus potentially millions of contractors and individuals relying on federal services like food assistance or benefits. Agencies like Homeland Security, Health & Human Services (HHS), Commerce, and Education see major impacts, disrupting everything from food safety to scientific research, while some "exempt" functions like Social Security & Medicare payments usually continue, notes this YouTube video. 

What agencies are affected by the government shutdown?

A government shutdown affects most federal agencies, especially non-essential ones, impacting services like national parks, housing loans (HUD, USDA), small business loans (SBA), and research, while essential services like TSA, Border Patrol, military, and some VA/Social Security functions continue but with furloughed, unpaid staff, with specific impacts depending on which agency funding lapses, including EPA, Interior, Justice, and Treasury. 

What happens to Social Security if the U.S. defaults?

Certain Social Security programs could be affected if the U.S. enters into a debt default. Without the necessary funds to provide benefits to recipients, monthly payments could halt for an undetermined period of time, depending on the situation. The U.S. has a debt ceiling that is set by Congress.

What is not affected by a government shutdown?

During a U.S. government shutdown, essential services like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA healthcare, mail delivery (USPS), and military operations generally continue; national security, law enforcement, air traffic control, and emergency response also remain active, though staff work without pay, potentially causing delays. Programs funded by fees (like passports) or advance appropriations (like some infrastructure projects) often keep running, while discretionary programs and non-essential services face slowdowns or closures. 

What does it look like when the government shuts down?

In a government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal workers would be furloughed and a wide range of government services would be suspended. Government workers who are not furloughed would work without pay for the duration of the shutdown.

How to get $3000 a month in Social Security?

To get $3,000 a month from Social Security, you generally need to have consistently high earnings (around the taxable maximum) for at least 35 years and delay claiming benefits until age 70 to maximize delayed retirement credits, as Social Security calculates your benefit based on your top 35 inflation-adjusted earnings years. While waiting to 70 is key, high earners can get close to this amount even at full retirement age, but waiting longer significantly boosts the payment. 

Are seniors receiving extra money in 2025?

Yes, many seniors get extra money in 2025 through a new, temporary $6,000 tax deduction (up to $12,000 for couples) for those 65+, plus modest increases to the standard deduction and a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits, all taking effect for the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026). 

How many people have $500,000 in their retirement account?

Only a minority of Americans have $500,000 or more in retirement savings; recent data from late 2025 and early 2025 reports suggest around 7% to 9% of Americans have reached or surpassed this milestone, with some figures showing 7.2% to 9.3% have $500K or more, though many more have significantly less. For example, a December 2025 report noted 7.2% of Americans had $500K or more, while another noted 9.3% of households with retirement accounts had over $500K. 

Do I still get social security if the government shuts down?

Yes, Social Security payments (Retirement, Disability, and SSI) will continue to be paid on time during a government shutdown because they are funded through trust funds and mandatory appropriations, not the annual budget process that gets interrupted, though some services like in-person help or processing new applications might slow down. 

Can you still get a passport with the government shutdown?

Yes, you can generally get a passport during a government shutdown because U.S. Passport Services are considered essential and self-funded through fees, so they usually stay open; however, processing might slow down, especially if passport agencies are in other government buildings that close, and you can still apply at unaffected post offices or for urgent travel. 

Do you still get food stamps in a government shutdown?

During a government shutdown, you should still receive your SNAP (food stamp) benefits, as funding is generally available and often paid in advance, but delays or partial payments can happen, especially if the shutdown is prolonged; existing funds on your EBT card remain usable, and you can continue to apply, though new approvals might be delayed until the shutdown ends. States issue the benefits, and while federal contingency funds exist, a long shutdown can affect processing, so check your EBT balance and local agency updates. 

Why are we still paying federal taxes if the government is shut down?

When a lapse in appropriations forces a shutdown, the federal government loses the authority to fully operate and provide services. Yet, its authority to collect taxes continues uninterrupted.

Do you still work during a government shutdown?

In addition, employees not paid from appropriated funds, and those “excepted” to administer shut-down operations, will continue to work. During a government shut-down, employees who are not required to work under one of the exceptions above may not even volunteer their services.

What is the real reason for government shutdown?

In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to lack of funding.