Government Shutdown

Funding for many federal government programs ran out at 12:01 am on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Federal agencies were forced to halt their normal operations and provide only essential services until funding is restored. While members of the House and Senate, including Senator Murkowski, are pushing to fully reopen the government, many who work for or rely on federal agencies are rightfully worried about what this means.

Not all federal departments and agencies have provided guidance for this shutdown, but below is a list of resources available at this time. Below that are answers to common questions about shutdowns. In the event there is guidance that you need that is not yet available from the federal government, please reach out to my office and we will do our best to get you the answer.

 

RESOURCES

  • Federal employees who have been furloughed due to the federal government shutdown may be eligible for unemployment benefits through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Learn more here.
  • If you are a federal employee missing paychecks, or if your SNAP benefits are set to expire soon, local food banks may be able to help. The Food Bank of Alaska can connect you with resources across the state.
  • United Way’s Alaska 211 connects people to resources and services in their local communities, without judgment. Learn more here. 
  • Full- or part-time federal employees who have been furloughed or are working without pay and earning less than $60,000 may be eligible for a one-time $150 grant from FEEA to help make ends meet. Learn more here.
  • Federal employees experiencing additional financial hardship due to missed paychecks may be eligible for a no-fee, no-interest Emergency Hardship Loan. Learn more here.
  • For families in Southcentral Alaska with infants or young children, the Community Diaper Pantry is offering diapers to help during this time. Learn more here.

 

GUIDANCE

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is a government shutdown? Why is it happening?

A: Most agencies of the federal government are funded from annual appropriations bills passed by Congress, or Continuing Resolutions that fund government agencies while appropriations bills are still under negotiation. The federal government’s operating budget expired at midnight on Tuesday, September 30, the end of Fiscal Year 2025. Because Congress has not passed any of the appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026 or a Continuing Resolution, many federal agencies have been forced to halt non-essential operations.

 

Q: How long will the shutdown last?

A: The longest-ever shutdown occurred in FY 2019 and was 34 days long. Although we do not know when this shutdown will end, I will be working tirelessly to find a solution, and my offices are open for those seeking help or answers.

 

Q: Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?

A: This answer comes in three parts:

  • Federal employees who work for agencies or work on programs that are not funded by the annual appropriations process are exempt from a shutdown. These include agencies like the U.S. Postal Service and programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
  • Federal employees whose agency or program is funded by annual appropriations will be designated by their agency as “essential” or “non-essential.” Essential employees—generally those who do work related to life safety, property protection, health, emergency response, and other work as determined by their agencies—will report for work.
  • Those deemed non-essential are legally required to stay home and are put on unpaid furlough.

Q: I am a federal employee. Will I get paid during the shutdown?

A: According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), federal civilian paychecks for the September 7 to September 20 pay period will not be delayed, as federal payroll providers have completed processing for this pay period. Paychecks should be issued at the normal time (generally, in the September 26 to October 2 time range). While a longer shutdown could result in missed paychecks beginning on October 10, the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act requires retroactive repayment for federal employees as soon as possible after a shutdown ends.

 

Q: What about contractor employees?

A: We encourage you to contact your employer for further information.

 

Q: I am a federal employee who is not deemed exempt or essential. What about my health insurance?

A: Health insurance coverage will continue during any unpaid time. Any employee premiums that accrue during the shutdown will be deducted from the next paycheck.

 

Q: I am a federal retiree. Will I get my retirement check on time?

A: Yes. Retirement annuity payments are made from a trust fund, not appropriations.

 

Q: Will I receive my Social Security payments during the shutdown?

A: Yes. Social Security is paid from a trust fund and is not dependent on appropriations bills. That includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For more information on which Social Security Administration activities will continue during the shutdown and which will not, see the link to the SSA’s Contingency Plan above. 

 

Q: What happens with military personnel?

A: All military personnel on active duty will continue in normal duty status. Military reserve component personnel on federal active duty will continue to report for duty and carry out assigned duties. Department of Defense civilian personnel, including military technicians, who are not necessary to carry out or support excepted activities, are to be furloughed during a shutdown. Only the minimum number of civilian employees necessary to carry out excepted activities will be excepted from furlough. Military exchanges will remain open while stateside commissaries would likely close. JBER published resources available to military members in a government shutdown Alaska, which can be found here.

 

Q: What about my student loans? Will I be able to receive and make payments?

A: Yes. The U.S. Department of Education has determined that federal student aid processing is an essential function of government. The Department’s “lapse plan” states that Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student loans will continue to be disbursed and “student loan borrowers will still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt.”

 

Q: Will my garbage get picked up?

A: Garbage pickup is a local government function and is unaffected by the federal government shutdown.

 

Q: Will my mail still be delivered?

A: Yes. The U.S. Postal Service’s operations are funded from their own revenue, not congressional appropriations.

 

Q: Will travel be affected?

A: Probably not. Airports will remain open and air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officials will remain on the job, though they will not be paid until the shutdown is over. There could be delays if “non-essential” employees are furloughed.

 

Q: I am a veteran. Will I still be able to receive healthcare?

A: Veterans will still be able to receive their health benefits. All of VA’s medical facilities and providers will be open and working, respectively, to deliver care. The VA’s main hotline (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) will be open and fully staffed.

 

Q: I am a veteran. Will my benefits be impacted?

A: The Veterans Benefits Administration will continue processing benefits claims and delivering benefits and individual assistance. Appeals will continue to be considered and decided. The VA Benefits office in Anchorage will be closed. The VA Benefit Hotline (1-800-827-1000) will continue to be operational during business hours (4:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. AKST Monday to Friday).

 

Q: Will your office remain open during the shutdown?

A: My office will remain open and maintain normal working hours to address your concerns during the government shutdown. However, due to the impact of the shutdown on non-essential services, my office will be unable to process requests for flags or D.C. tours.  

 

Q: If I am covered under Medicare, what will this mean for any telehealth appointments?

A: Medicare telehealth coverage will be impacted because the authorizations for telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries lapsed on September 30, 2025. Senator Murkowski has supported a number of measures that would make these flexibilities permanent, but encourages Medicare beneficiaries to consult with their provider about scheduled telehealth appointments. She is pushing to include language is included in any funding package for retroactive payments.

For providers, further information can be found on CMS’s web page, please visit CMS’s page on All Fee-For-Service-Providers.

Q: What about nutrition programs like SNAP, WIC, and Child Nutrition programs?

A: The government shutdown means that Congress has not yet provided appropriations for many federal programs, including SNAP, that rely on discretionary funding. As a result, the Administration cannot pay benefits for programs like SNAP if the money is not on hand, either from funds that were appropriated before the shutdown or that can be found and reallocated from other sources.

There is not currently enough money in USDA’s SNAP account to pay benefits starting on November 1. USDA has not yet identified a funding source or sources that can be reallocated to pay the $9.2 billion in SNAP benefits that are due starting November 1.

Last week, Senator Murkowski signed on as a co-sponsor of S. 3024, the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025. This bill will provide sufficient funding to pay uninterrupted SNAP benefits until a Continuing Resolution or the appropriations bill that funds SNAP is enacted into law. The Senator hopes that this bill will come to a vote as soon as possible and will keep Alaskans updated on its status.

Senator Murkowski always encourages her fellow Alaskans to contribute to their local food bank to help our less fortunate neighbors. Given the impact of the shutdown on so many Alaskans, such contributions are more important now than ever. She is conitinuing to end this shutdown as quickly as possible so this issue is resolved.