Impacts of the U.S. Government Shutdown on Key Services and Programs

Updated September 30, 2025 at 3:48 PM EDT The possibility of a federal government shutdown looms as funding negotiations in Washington continue. Without Congressional action, a lapse in funding will occur at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, which would stop many non-essential government services and leave numerous federal employees unpaid. The ramifications of such a shutdown would reverberate across multiple sectors in the country. Traveling Soon? Here’s What You Need to Know Should a shutdown occur, essential personnel will remain on duty, including air traffic controllers and majority of TSA staff; however, these workers will not receive pay during this period. There is also a risk of increasing sick leave instances among these personnel, similar to trends observed in the 2018-2019 government shutdown. Moreover, travelers should anticipate possible delays in passport processing as some government employees are likely to be furloughed. Mail Services Uninterrupted Despite the shutdown, the U.S. Postal Service will continue to operate seamlessly as it does not rely on federal funding for its operations. Impact on Benefits and Assistance Programs While Social Security and veterans’ benefits will proceed, processing times may slow down. The WIC food program, crucial for mothers and children, could face funding shortages if the shutdown persists. Georgia Machell, CEO of the National WIC Association, stated, "The timing of this shutdown threat at the start of the fiscal year puts WIC at risk of rapidly running out of funds. A prolonged federal government shutdown of more than one week puts WIC families at risk." Additionally, SNAP benefits may become unavailable if the situation extends. Federal Employees at Risk of Unpaid Work During the shutdown, federal employees, including active-duty military, won’t receive their salaries. The White House has indicated that widespread layoffs might occur along with furloughs. The missed paychecks are scheduled for federal workers on October 24 and for military personnel on October 15. However, Congress members and the President are constitutionally entitled to their salaries unless they choose to defer payment. Once the government reopens, affected employees will receive back pay. Status of National Parks The operation of national parks during a shutdown remains uncertain. In the past shutdown, such as that from 2018-2019, parks stayed open without staffing, resulting in notable damage. The Government Accountability Office later determined that this practice was illegal if reliant on entrance fees. Discussions about whether these parks will remain open during the upcoming shutdown are ongoing. National Weather Service and FEMA Operations The National Weather Service will continue to provide both routine and emergency forecasts, although there may be delays in other services such as maintenance and upgrades. Meanwhile, FEMA will still respond to emergencies, but its capacity is hampered due to dwindling funds. Delays in reimbursements for state and local governments could occur, and without legislative action, the National Flood Insurance Program may face expiration. State-Specific Effects Alaska Alaska, which is home to around 15,000 federal employees, may experience significant impacts should the shutdown occur. Warnings regarding potential layoffs from President Trump further amplify these concerns. For more details, visit Alaska Public Media. California Concerns are mounting in California regarding national parks, as the National Park Service has yet to solidify its contingency plan for 2025. Emily Thompson from the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks highlighted risks tied to keeping parks open without sufficient staff, referencing previous vandalism issues at sites like <a