Shutdown Resources
The federal government went into a shutdown on Wednesday, October 1st. Below are resources for what that means for federal programs and employees. A federal shutdown has real implications for tens of thousands of people in Northern Utah, and we will continue to communicate resources and updates.
Congressional Services
My team will remain available to assist you as best we can. Flag requests will be suspended, and the Capitol will be closed to tours. The Smithsonian Institution has issued guidance that prior-year funding will allow their museums to operate through Saturday, October 11th. Click here for updates.
If this impacts your travel plans, please call my office and let us know so we can find an alternative time for you to pay a visit. Here you can find alternative sites to visit during your trip to DC. Our phones are being answered, and we will continue to work on casework and other constitutional responsibilities.
Social Security
Social Security benefits will be paid as usual. Social Security is authorized through mandatory programming; therefore, the potential shutdown over discretionary funding will have little impact on benefits or services. Most applications will still be accepted and processed, and hearings will still take place as scheduled. Field offices will remain open to handle cases, including SS card replacements, though an increase in public inquiries is expected. Learn more about the SSA’s continued and discontinued activities here.
Hill Air Force Base
Many workers at Hill Air Force Base, including active duty, reservists, and civilians, will be deemed essential, and others may be furloughed. Uniformed and civilian workers will receive backpay when the government reopens, but the compensation situation will vary for contractors who work on or around Hill Air Force Base. Essential missions will continue, including flying operations, depot maintenance, and national defense activities, airfield operations, and medical care. The legal offices, commissary and base exchange, and Child Development Center (for essential personnel) should also be open without interruption.
Non-exempt civilian employees will be furloughed. Base services including fitness centers, recreation centers, and the golf course will be closed. The Hill Aerospace Museum will also be closed.
For more information and resources, click here.
IRS & Other Federal Employees
Agencies will communicate with employees on their essential or furloughed status. All federal employees will not receive paychecks during the duration of the shutdown, but they will receive full backpay once the government reopens.
Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare benefits will continue uninterrupted because they are authorized through mandatory spending. Medicaid will continue to flow to states, and there should be sufficient funding for a shutdown.
Veterans
Veteran health care is not impacted. VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open, VA benefits will continue, and burials will continue at VA national cemeteries. Some VA programs will lapse during the shutdown: the GI Bill Hotline will be closed, career counseling will be paused, regional offices will be closed, the VA will stop outreach to veterans, and more.
For more information and resources, click here.
National Parks
Utah’s national parks and federal lands will remain open with limited services. Utah State Parks will remain open. Click here for more information.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) & SNAP Benefits
The US Department of Agriculture will distribute funds to Utah to support the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the end of October. For more information from the Department of Agriculture, click here (page 15).
Consular Services
Consular services will continue as normal. Passport and visa operations will continue uninterrupted. For more information from the Department of State, click here.
Air Travel
Air travel and security lines may be impacted by the shutdown. Essential air traffic controllers and other aviation security workers will be working without pay. Please factor in delays when arriving at the airport. For more information from the Department of Transportation, click here.
Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits will continue during a shutdown because they are federal-state programs administered by the state.
Additional Information
If you have specific questions about how the shutdown will impact housing, the justice system, agriculture, and other federal programs, please reach out to our office.