Government Funding Update - From the office of Congressman Tim Walberg

On September 19, 2025, I voted for legislation to extend government funding through November 21 through a nonpartisan government funding deal. Unfortunately, the nonpartisan government funding bill has not been passed by the Senate, and a government shutdown began at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, October 1, after a lapse in appropriations for the federal government. The clean continuing resolution that passed the House was the same nonpartisan deal supported by House and Senate Democrats under the Biden administration and passed in a bipartisan fashion in March 2025. The only difference in the continuing resolution was an increase in security funding in light of the Charlie Kirk assassination. As your Member of Congress, I want to ensure you have the information you need. Below are some frequently asked questions about a shutdown and key information you need to know. Please do not hesitate to contact my office during this time as we will continue to work. My Offices Please know that my team and I understand that this shutdown will be a challenge for families in communities across Michigan's 5th District and will continue to work during this time. This year, we have responded to over one hundred thousand constituent messages, and we will continue to do so during the shutdown. We have also helped Michigan's 5th District residents with casework, ensuring constituents receive the information they need and trying to resolve various issues with federal agencies, such as the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Our office will continue to process federal agency casework during the government shutdown that resulted from the lapse in appropriations. However, please note that there may be slower response times from some departments and agencies due to staffing shortages, which may lead to delays in getting you the information and resolution you need. If you are experiencing an issue with a federal agency, please call my Jackson District Office at (517) 780-9075 or fill out the contact form, and we will assist you as best as we can. During this time, my team and I will not be able to process flag orders or arrange tours of the United States Capitol, the White House, and other landmarks for constituents visiting Washington, D.C. Please note that all 21 of the Smithsonian's institutions, as well as its nine research centers and museums outside of Washington, D.C. are also temporarily closed. If you are traveling to D.C. during this time, my office will still be open to visitors. If you have any questions regarding flags or tours, please call my D.C. office at (202) 225-6276 or fill out the contact form at https://walberg.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact/email Social Security Social Security beneficiaries will continue to receive their Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, and SSI payments. However, benefit verifications will be discontinued. The public will also likely face extended wait times. Medicare and Medicaid Currently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services programs will continue to operate as normal. The Medicare program will continue during a lapse in funding, and CMS will have sufficient funding for the Medicaid program through the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, based on advance appropriations. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) All VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open and providing all services. VA benefits, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits, will continue to be processed and delivered. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will also continue to operate normally. The VA Call Center will remain open and can be reached at 1-800-MyVA411. The Veterans Crisis Center is also available 24/7 to help veterans who call 988. Unfortunately, some VA services will be impacted by the shutdown. Regional benefits offices will be closed, and the GI Bill hotline, National Cemetery Applicant Assistance hotline, career counseling programs, and transition assistance programs will be suspended. For more information and updates from the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit https://department.va.gov/contingency-planning/. U.S. Postal Service The U.S. Postal Service will not be interrupted. National Parks Park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors. However, if visitor access becomes a safety, health, or resource protection issue (weather, road conditions, resource damage, garbage build-up to the extent that it endangers human health or wildlife, etc.), the area must be closed. Please also note that emergency services may be limited. Transportation Security Administration For those traveling, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will continue to operate. However, there may be longer-than-usual wait times to go through security at the airport. If you have a flight planned, I recommend arriving at the airport early to ensure you get through security in a timely manner. Please have patience with any delays and keep in mind that both TSA and air traffic controllers are currently working without pay. Passports, International Travel, and Immigration Applications The current processing time for passports is 4 to 6 weeks, and passport services will continue to be available during the lapse in appropriations. However, for those who plan to travel internationally and need to renew their passport or get a new passport, it is recommended that you begin the process as soon as possible, as the shutdown may lead to longer delays. All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations, while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, such as the 7(a) and CDC 504 loan programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations. Student Loans 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. As available, permanent and multi-year appropriations will be used to continue some key operations such as processing Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filing Taxes and Tax Refunds If you filed for a six-month extension for your tax returns in April, you are still required to file by October 15. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is expected to maintain normal operations during a shutdown, meaning tax refunds and support should remain available. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Child Nutrition (CN) programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) shall continue operations during a lapse in appropriations, subject to the availability of funding. As many states were already out of resources for the WIC program, President Trump has transferred resources from Section 232 tariff revenue to fund the program. Currently, SNAP has funding available for benefits and operations through the month of October. However, if the current lapse in appropriations continues, there may be insufficient funds for benefits and operations in November. The Farm Service Agency will halt issuance of new farm loans, but will maintain some operations depending on the length of the shutdown. If the shutdown is prolonged, states may run out of funds to perform meat and poultry inspections under cooperative agreements with the agency.