Navigating a Potential Government Shutdown

A Republican government shutdown is just hours away. Even with full control of Congress and the White House, they’re choosing chaos that working people can’t afford. I’ll keep fighting to protect your health care, lower costs, and ensure government works for you.

I know a shutdown brings uncertainty and worry for many of you, so I’ve created this resource guide to help explain what it means, how it could affect your daily life, and answer your most pressing questions.

Each year, Congress must pass bills to fund the government and for federal programs. If legislation is not enacted to continue to fund the government, at midnight on September 30, 2025, certain government services will be impacted.

Below is the key information you need to understand how a shutdown may affect your daily life.

DISCLAIMER: The following information was last updated on September 29, 2025, and my office will do our best to consistently update this page. Unfortunately, due to the dynamic nature of a government shutdown, it is difficult to provide live information about the current operations of various agencies. Please contact my office for assistance, or reach out to the federal agency you need assistance from to get the most up to date information on federal operations.  

My Congressional Offices Will Remain Open

First, I want to assure you that my offices will remain open, even during the government shutdown, to assist you. My staff and I are always here to be a resource to you and your family.

Unfortunately, due to the dynamic nature of a government shutdown, it is difficult to provide live information about the current operations of various agencies. For assistance with a federal agency or the latest updates on federal operations, please use the button below or call the office nearest you.

Get Help with a Federal Agency!

Palm Desert District Office

• 77933 Las Montanas Rd, Suite 100, Palm Desert, CA  92211
• Phone: (760) 424-8888

Hemet District Office

• 445 East Florida Ave, 2nd Floor, Hemet, CA  92543
• Phone: (951) 492-3575

El Centro District Office

• 343 S. 8th Street, Suite A, El Centro, CA  92243
• Phone: (760) 592-2646

Washington, DC Office

• 2342 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC  20515
• Phone: (202) 225-5330

US Postal Service

• Post Offices will remain open, and mail delivery will continue.
• USPS will not be affected because it is an independent agency whose operations are not funded by tax dollars.

Food Assistance Programs

• The following programs will continue operations, but the situation may change depending on the length of the shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Child Nutrition (CN) Programs will continue operations for at least 30 days from the start of a shutdown.

Social Security

• Social Security checks will be mailed out or direct deposited as usual. This process is largely automated and will continue during a shutdown.  
• However, new applications for benefits or updating your information may experience delays.

Veterans Services

• VA services will still be available. The VA Medical Centers will remain open.
• Please note that VA call centers and hotlines will be temporarily closed, and Veterans Benefits Administration public contact services will not be available.
• There are reports of minor delays in receiving discharge documentation necessary to process loan applications.

Travel

• Air travel should generally not be affected, but you may experience some longer times at TSA, or delays/cancellations due to staffing issues. TSA, Air Traffic Controllers, and Customs and Border Protection agents will continue their operations.
• However, air traffic controllers, animal and plant inspectors, aviation safety experts, Customs and Border Patrol officials, National Security Officials and Transportation Security Agency officers are working without pay during a shutdown.  
• Passport application processing and issuance may experience significant delays.
• Online applications for TSA PreCheck are being accepted, but the Department of Homeland Security suspends Global Entry applications during the shutdown.

FEMA

• FEMA staff will continue to respond to emergencies.

Federal Grants and Business Opportunities

• The Grants.gov website is operational; however, there may be limited staff to provide assistance depending on the agency.
• The Grants.gov Contact Center phone number is 1-800-518-GRANTS, and email Support@Grants.gov.
• Small Business Administration Loans’ processing and adjudication will be impacted.

US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

• USCIS is fee-funded, so it remains open and continues to process applications. You should expect to attend interviews and appointments as scheduled.

Military Personnel

• Active-duty military personnel will continue their duties as usual.
• Civilian employees and training operations may experience disruptions.
• Our service members will not receive pay during the shutdown but will receive back pay once it ends and new federal funding is approved.

Federal Employees

• Agencies will determine "essential personnel" on a case-by-case basis. Those classified as such will still be required to work.
• In 2019, legislation was passed to ensure all federal workers receive their full pay during a shutdown, but only after the government is re-opened.
• Some federal agencies may temporarily close, potentially affecting state and local agencies receiving federal funds.

National Parks

• The Department of Interior intends to keep some parks and open-air memorials open, but you should expect some attractions to be closed or operating at a limited capacity. We recommend you verify that status of an attraction by visiting their website or contacting their office.

Visiting Washington, DC

• Many popular attractions may be affected. We encourage you to reach out to the office of the attraction you’re interested in visiting for more information.
• Indoor facilities like the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park, the Smithsonian Museums, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC will be closed.
• U.S. Capitol tours will not be offered. If you’ve booked a tour and wish to reschedule, please contact my Washington, DC office at (202) 225-5330.

"Know that in these challenging times, your voices matter and my offices remain open and available to assist you the best we can.

You can stay up to date by following me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads, and subscribing to my e-newsletter. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my offices  with any questions or concerns."

- Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz