Government Shutdown Resource Guide
LAST UPDATED: October 1, 2025
Each government agency has contingency plans for how to operate during a federal shutdown. It is important for federal employees to communicate with their respective agencies as guidance may vary by agency.
During this challenging time, please know that my office is available to help you. You may contact my office at (505) 428-4680 or you can send me an email here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?
Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks. SSA will continue taking and processing benefit applications, handling SSN card issues, and responding to most customer service problems. Customer service wait times are expected to increase. However, SSA will stop services like benefit verifications and processing overpayments, which recipients often need when applying for assistance programs.
Disclaimer: This information is subject to change as it was last updated on September 24, 2025.
Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits. The shutdown will not affect Medicare’s open enrollment period beginning October 15 or the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period beginning November 1.
Will Indian Health Service benefits be affected?
I helped secure advance appropriations for Indian Health Service (IHS). As a result, the majority of IHS-funded programs will remain funded and operational during a shutdown. Facilities construction projects will continue. All staff will remain working and be paid.
What is the impact on the Bureau of Indian Education?
Bureau of Indian Education K-12 schools as well as Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) are forward funded and will continue to operate during a shutdown.
What is the impact on other Interior programs impacting tribes?
The Department of Interior will continue emergency response activities on tribal and allotted lands; law enforcement and detention operations; social services; tribal government operations; Individual Indian Money beneficiaries; Trust Asset and Accounting Management System and Trust Fund Accounting System; approve and ensure timely receipt, investment, and disbursement of trust funds.
Litigation support services for Tribal trust cases, outreach and educational events, and FOIA requests will stop.
What happens to veterans' services?
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits, although VA benefits regional offices will be closed. Veteran medical care and critical services within VHA will continue, including suicide prevention programs, homelessness programs, the Veterans Crisis Line and caregiver support. The Santa Fe National Cemetery will remain open and continue burials.
How will a shutdown impact student financial aid and loan repayment??
The Department of Education will continue to disburse student aid such as Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student loans, and student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt. The Department will also make Title I and IDEA grant funding available as usual. The Department will cease any new grantmaking activities and pause its review and investigations of civil rights complaints.
Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?
When the government shuts down, federal agencies are required to classify their employees whose salaries have lapsed as either "excepted" or "not excepted." The employees classified as "excepted" work without pay during the shutdown. The employees classified as "not excepted" are put on unpaid furlough.
What is the impact to Los Alamos National Laboratory?
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) will manage any potential shutdown on a week-by-week basis. Any changes to Laboratory operating status due to a shutdown will be communicated through LANLToday and the LANLInside homepage each Thursday and as needed.
What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
All active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders are excepted and therefore are required to work without pay. Off-base care provided through Tricare will not be affected. Federal law enforcement will also be required to work without pay for the duration of a shutdown.
Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?
Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.
Will air travel be affected?
Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job without pay. If some do not report to work, as has happened in prior shutdowns, there will be significant delays and longer wait times across the country.
What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies and will continue to make disaster payments. However, reimbursement to state and local governments as well as long-term projects may be delayed. The National Flood Insurance Program may not issue new policies.
U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters will continue to work and respond to wildfires.
Note: The Hermit’s Peak Office will continue to operate as normal under a government shutdown.
What is the impact on food assistance?
Hungry families will continue to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits. WIC will continue to enroll families and provide services as long as funding is available. If the shutdown stretches beyond a couple of weeks, however, 36,719 WIC beneficiaries in New Mexico could be impacted.
What is the impact on food safety activities?
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meat, poultry and egg inspections will continue.
Some Food and Drug Administration (FDA)food safety activities—such as routine inspections of facilities—will be delayed.
What is the impact on housing?
The Federal Housing Administration(FHA) will stop insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)will stop processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture(USDA)will also stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans.
How will this affect small businesses?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, such as through the7(a)and 504programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations.
Will my mail still arrive?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown. All facilities will maintain their regular posted hours and all services will be available.
What does this mean for medical research?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be forced to stop all basic research. New patients who are waiting for a chance at new treatment through a clinical trial will be turned away.
Will I still be able to visit National Parks and monuments?
Park roads, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible, other park facilities will likely be closed. If you choose to visit an accessible park, please exercise caution as most visitor experiences and park facilities will be closed or have significantly reduced services.
Can I still apply for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) act?
Yes. The Department of Justice RECA office will continue to operate and process claims. You can find more information on how to apply at https://fernandez.house.gov/services/reca.htm.
How does this affect passports and help for Americans overseas?
Consular services, passport services, and visa services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas are expected to continue in the immediate aftermath of a government shutdown. In a prolonged shutdown, passport and visa issuance could be slowed. If a passport agency is located in a government building affected by the lapse, the passport agency will continue to remain open.
What is the impact on state and local services?
The federal government shutdown will not immediately affect any state or local services. However, with federal funding cut off, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions.
Resources for New Mexicans
Food Assistance
Road Runner Food Bank
Will direct individuals and families to food resources in any area of the state.
Ph: 505-247-2052
https://www.rrfb.org.
Financial Resources
Thrift Saving Plan
Ph: 1-877-968-3778
https://www.tsp.gov/news-and-resources/lapse-in-appropriations/
Navy Federal Credit Union
Offers paycheck assistance program, providing advance on direct deposit for members
Ph: 1-888-842-6238
https://www.navyfederal.org
Press Release:
https://www.navyfederal.org/about/press-releases/2024/navy-federal-offers-paycheck-relief-to-members-impacted-by-government-shutdown.html
USAA
Offers members a one-time, no-interest loan equal to net pay
Ph: 210-531-8722 or 800-531-8722
https://www.usaa.com/inet/wc/ent-gov-shutdown-assistance-landing-mkt
PenFed Credit Union
Offers paycheck protection loan, low-interest furlough loan, and flexible loan/mortgage payment options for members
Ph: 800-585-9055
https://www.penfed.org/furlough
Cell phone carriers
AT&T (800-331-0500), Sprint (888-211-4727), T-Mobile (877-746-0909) and Verizon (866-266-1445)
Your carrier may be able to work with customers to create flexible payment plans and to waive late fees.
Temporary Employment
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (www.dws.state.nm.us) can register you and help you find part-time or temporary positions. No appointment is necessary - walk-ins are accepted at all of these locations:
CLOVIS
111 N. Main St.
Clovis, NM 88101-4610
575-762-4571
FAX: 575-769-0086
ESPAÑOLA
319 Paseo de Oñate St.
Española, NM 87532
505-753-2285
FAX: 505-753-1180
LAS VEGAS
833 Grand Ave.
Las Vegas, NM 87701
505-425-6451
FAX: 505-425-5275
SANTA FE
525 Camino de los Marquez
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-355-1758
FAX: 505-827-7346
TAOS
1036 Salazar Road
Taos, NM 87571
575-758-4219
FAX: 575-758-3941
Mental Health Services
New Mexico Crisis and Access Line
Call 1-855-NM CRISIS
Mental health crisis line for any and all residents of New Mexico. Professional counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to assist.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call 988 or go online at https://988lifeline.org/
U.S. network of local crisis centers dedicated to confidential emotional support for those in suicidal or emotional crisis. Always free to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
