Government Shutdown Resources
We are now in the midst of a Republican-owned government shutdown. It is important to know what this means for you and your family and the resources available to you. During this time, my office will remain open and available to assist you. If you have any questions please call (504) 288-3777. This webpage includes the answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Please note:
This FAQ is based on information from prior shutdowns and currently available information
from agencies. The Trump administration has not been fully transparent with its shutdown plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?
Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will continue providing limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop some activities like benefit verifications and processing overpayments and the public will likely experience increased wait times for customer service.
Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
Medicare, Medicaid and disability insurance will be largely unaffected by a shutdown lasting less than three months. Current beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits.
What is the impact on veterans' services?
All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans' 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.
Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?
When the government shuts down, federal agencies are required to classify their employees whose salaries have lapsed as either "excepted" or "not excepted." The employees classified as "excepted" work without pay during the shutdown. The employees classified as "not excepted" are put on unpaid furlough. Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, all federal employees are retroactively paid for the duration of the shutdown upon its conclusion. Donald Trump has threatened to needlessly fire thousands of federal workers during a shutdown, as he has been trying to do all year.
What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
All active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders are excepted and therefore are required to work. On-base non-acute health care may cease, but off-base care provided through Tricare is not affected. On-base child care is open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement was also required to work. Both military personnel and federal law enforcement will not be paid until after the shutdown is over.
Will my mail still arrive?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.
Will commercial air travel be affected?
Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job. However, like all federal employees, they will not be paid until the shutdown is over.
What is the impact on 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.
What is the impact on federal housing loans?
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 also stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans.
What is the impact on disaster relief efforts?
FEMA staff will still respond to emergencies. In prior shutdowns, long-term projects were delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.
What is the impact on food safety activities?
Some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities - such as routine inspections of facilities - will be delayed.
Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. Fact Sheet: Why the ACA Premium Tax Credits Matter
What Are ACA Premium Tax Credits?
•Premium tax credits were created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to help people pay for health insurance.
•They lower the monthly cost of health coverage for individuals and families who don’t get insurance through an employer or Medicare/Medicaid.
•The credits are based on income, family size, and where you live.
Why Were They Created?
•Before the ACA, millions of Americans were uninsured because they could not afford coverage.
•Working families, people with disabilities, and those in low-paying jobs often fell into the “coverage gap”:
•Too much income to qualify for Medicaid.
•Not enough income to afford health insurance on their own.
•Premium tax credits were designed to close that gap and make health coverage more affordable.
Who Benefits?
•Working People: Cashiers, teachers’ aides, gig workers, waiters, home health aides—people who work hard but don’t get health insurance through their jobs.
•Families: Parents with children who need regular doctor visits and preventive care.
•Young Adults: College students or recent graduates working entry-level jobs that don’t include health benefits.
•People with Disabilities: Those who can work part-time but aren’t covered under Medicaid.
•Older Americans (50–64): Folks not yet old enough for Medicare, but who often face the highest insurance costs without credits.
Why Is It So Important to Extend These Credits?
•Without them, many families will see their monthly premiums double—or worse, be forced to go without coverage at all.
•With them, millions of Americans can afford to see a doctor, buy prescription medicine, and get preventive care.
•Health care is not a luxury—it is a necessity. These credits keep people from choosing between rent, food, or medicine.
Real-Life Examples
1.A single mom making $28,000/year as a grocery clerk: Without credits, her health plan might cost $700/month. With credits, she may only pay $60/month.
2.A part-time college student working in food service: Credits make it possible for him to afford basic coverage while finishing school.
3.A 60-year-old worker earning $35,000/year: Without credits, insurance could cost over half her income. With credits, she can stay healthy until Medicare.
4.A young man with disabilities working part-time: Premium credits help him stay covered and continue treatments without going broke.
The Bottom Line
Extending ACA premium tax credits is about fairness and humanity. These credits help working families, students, people with disabilities, and older Americans live healthier, more secure lives. No one should lose health care because they earn “too much” for Medicaid but “too little” to afford insurance.
Health care should be a right—not a privilege.