YOUR GUIDE FOR THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Unfortunately, a shutdown began October 1. This “my way or the highway” style of governance is no way to operate in a democracy. Negotiating is how you keep the government open, not stonewalling the other side.

Democrats and Republicans need to sit down and hammer out a deal to:

1. Reopen the government as soon as possible.
2. Extend the expiring health care premium tax credits to stop double digit increases in health insurance premiums come November.
3. Stop the unilateral cuts and chaotic threats from the White House to issue mass firings and budget slashings if the Democrats don’t cow-tow.

Until Democrats and Republicans work together, the impact on my Long Island and Queens constituents will be real and painful: federal workers missing paychecks, small businesses waiting on federal contracts, and seniors facing uncertainty with access to services they count on.

For the latest updates on these impacts, please review the resources below. If you would like to share your shutdown impact story with me, I encourage you to call my Washington, DC office at (202) 225-3335, or my Glen Cove office at (516) 861-1070 or my Queens office (718) 631-0400.

DISCLAIMER: The following information is based on the precedents of previous government shutdowns. Please be aware that the Executive branch has significant discretion in government operations during a shutdown. It is difficult to predict what else the Trump Administration may do that defies normal procedures, so, this page will be updated as more information becomes available.  

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

Please contact my office for assistance to get the most up to date information on federal operations and to share how a shutdown is impacting you, your family, and your business.

U.S. 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 the first month following a shutdown without interruption. 

Social Security

• Social Security checks should be mailed out as usual. This process is largely automated and remains staffed in a limited capacity during a shutdown. Retirement and Disability payments come through the Social Security Trust Funds and not the General Revenue Fund.
• However, new applications for benefits and folks needing to update their information may experience delays. For inquiries about your application, please contact our district office at (516) 861-1070.

Veterans

• VA services should 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, all aviation security workers – air traffic controllers, animal and plant inspectors, aviation safety experts, Customs and Border Patrol officials, and Transportation Security Agency officers are working without pay.
• 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 should continue to respond to emergencies.

Federal Grants and Business Opportunities

• You are encouraged to always submit your grant application ahead of the deadline.
• Grants.gov  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.
• If you believe your business or organization is experiencing hardship or slow service due to the shutdown, please call my office (516) 861-1070

US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), ICE and Immigration Courts

• USCIS is fee-funded, so it remains open and continues to process applications. You should expect to attend interviews and appointments as scheduled.
• Lawyers and family members will still have the ability to visit clients and family members in immigration detention.
• EOIR immigration court operations will be affected, please check the DOJ EOIR Court Operational Status tool for the status of your local court. 

Department of State

• Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and will not be impacted by a shutdown.
• Consular operations might be delayed by the shutdown, please check the Department of State website for more information.

Military Personnel

• Active-duty military personnel should not be affected and will continue their duties as usual.
• Civilian employees and training operations may experience disruptions.

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. Before visiting, verify the status of an attraction by going to their website or contacting their office.

Visiting Washington D.C.

• Many popular attractions may be affected. I encourage you to reach out to the office of the attraction you’re interested in visiting for more information.
• Indoor facilities such as the Smithsonian Museums and the National Gallery of Art are expected to close by October 6.
• Capitol tours will not be offered. If you have booked a tour and wish to reschedule, please contact my office at (202) 225-3335

Resources for Furloughed Employees

• 211 is a clearinghouse of information about available resources for federal employees impacted by the shutdown. If additional resources not listed below are needed, call 2-1-1 for more information. You can also reach out to my office at (202) 225-3335 

Food Banks:

Contact Long Island’s regional food banks to find the local food bank nearest to your home:

• Long Island Cares: 631-582-3663 
• Island Harvest: (516) 294-8528

Deferring Payments:

If you are unable to pay your bills on time, contact your providers to make sure your services are not turned off or cancelled.  For example, contact PSEG, Con Ed, phone providers (cell and landline), internet providers, oil companies, insurance companies, etc.

It is also important to reach out to your lenders if you are unable to pay your rent, mortgage, car loans, student loans, etc.

Temporary Employment: 

Furloughed workers do not qualify for NYS Unemployment; however, if you are fired, contact New York State Department of Labor (nys.dol.gov) to see if you qualify for unemployment benefits.

The following agencies may be able to provide guidance on finding temporary or permanent employment:

The Workforce Partnership

Serving Glen Cove, Oyster Bay and North Hempstead

Hicksville Career Center

301 West Old Country Road

Hicksville, NY 11801

(516) 934-8532

Thewp.org

Suffolk County Workforce Development Board

Employment Career Center

725 Veterans Highway

Hauppauge, NY 11798

(631) 853-6600

Queens Career Center

168-25 Jamaica Avenue, 2^nd Floor

Jamaica, NY 11432

718-557-6735 or 718-557-6755

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?

Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries should continue to receive their benefits.

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.

What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies, but all long-term projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.

How will this affect environmental protection and cleanup?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop inspecting most hazardous waste sites, as well as drinking water and chemical facilities. Efforts to address dangerous contaminants like PFAS — which are linked to severe health effects, including cancer — will be delayed, and cleanup activities at Superfund sites will slow or cease.

What is the impact on food safety activities?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities — such as routine inspections of facilities — will be delayed across the country.

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 stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA is expected to continue to guarantee home loans. Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged shutdown.

How will this affect small businesses?

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs; however, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations. If your business urgently needs help with loan processing, please call my office (516) 861-1070.

What does this mean for medical research?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be forced to delay new clinical trials. New patients who are waiting for a chance at new treatment through a clinical trial will be turned away.

How does this affect passports and help for Americans overseas?

Consular services, passport services, and visa services are expected to continue in the immediate aftermath of a government shutdown. In a prolonged shutdown, passport and visa issuance could be slowed down. Access to passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.

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. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my Washington, DC office at (202) 225-3335, my Glen Cove office at (516) 861-1070 or my Queens office (718) 631-0400 with any questions or concerns you may have. My staff and I will do our best to assist you during these trying times.