What happens when the government shuts down: pay, parks, travel

The U.S. could enter a partial shutdown at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025. Congress has not approved short-term funding. Here is what happens when the government shuts down and how it may affect daily life.

Core benefits like Social Security and Medicare continue. Many federal workers are furloughed, while others work without pay until funding resumes. Airports, weather alerts, and disaster response keep operating, but with limits.

Key effects if the government shuts down: what happens when the government shuts down

Airports stay open. TSA officers and air traffic controllers report to duty. Pay arrives only after the shutdown ends, which can strain staffing and slow lines.

Mail keeps moving. The U.S. Postal Service is self-funded. Post Offices stay open and deliveries continue.

Benefits continue. Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ health care proceed because they are mainly mandatory programs. New claims and customer service can slow. Federal employees who miss paychecks receive back pay once the shutdown ends under a 2019 law.

Nutrition programs face early stress. WIC can feel pressure quickly if a lapse lasts more than a brief period. SNAP has more runway but could see delays if the shutdown drags on.

Health agencies scale back. Many staff are furloughed. Medicare operations and essential FDA work continue, while some research and public-health activities pause.

National parks and museums may close or reduce services. Visitor centers, restrooms, and trash pickup can be limited. Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo typically close during lapses.

Weather alerts continue. The National Weather Service issues routine forecasts and warnings to protect life and property. Some outreach, maintenance, and long-term projects pause.

Disaster response proceeds but budgets tighten. Most FEMA staff are exempt. Reimbursements to states and local governments can be delayed if funds run low.

Analysis and broader impact

Short shutdowns usually have modest economic effects. Longer lapses raise risks for households, travel, research, and small businesses tied to federal contracts.

Households that rely on federal paychecks face immediate cash-flow stress. Communities near large federal employers and bases feel quick knock-on effects. Longer shutdowns increase restart costs and delay backlogs across agencies.

Bottom line: what happens when the government shuts down is a mix of continuity and disruption. Essential safety and benefits continue. Many services slow, parks and museums curtail access, and federal workers miss pay until funding resumes.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What happens to Social Security during a shutdown?

Payments continue because the program uses mandatory funding. New claims and customer service may take longer. Plan ahead if you need documents or in-person help.

Q2: Do airports and flights keep running?

Yes. TSA and air traffic control operate. Expect possible delays if staffing is tight and overtime builds.

Q3: Are national parks open?

Access varies by site and policy. Many parks limit services or close facilities. Check local notices before traveling.

Q4: Will I still get mail?

Yes. USPS continues normal operations. Retail windows and deliveries remain active.

Q5: Do federal workers get back pay?

Yes. Current law guarantees retroactive pay for furloughed and excepted employees after the shutdown ends.

References

Associated Press, 2025, “What will happen if there’s a government shutdown at day’s end,” September 30, 2025.

Reuters, 2025, “US government shutdown to furlough 41% of health agency workers,” September 29, 2025.

CBS News, 2025, “What is a government shutdown? Here’s what happens when funding runs out,” September 29, 2025.

U.S. Congress (Congress.gov), 2019, “Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019,” January 16, 2019.