Please note: This page is a living document; it is frequently updated so please check in for additional information. The Trump administration has not been fully transparent with shutdown plans and Trump himself has made threats to manipulate a shutdown for political gain, to change agency operations significantly, and to use civil servants as pawns by firing them en masse, as he has been doing all year.
Funding for the federal government expired at midnight on October 1, 2025, and the government is now shut down. I am working to reopen critical services and fight for families in our community, while lowering health care costs.
I am deeply disappointed in the partisan process that got us to this point. Democrats stood ready to work across the aisle to make sure that healthcare costs didn’t skyrocket for Americans, a priority I know matters deeply to you in NJ-10 and Americans across this country. Sadly, Republicans are continuing to push a partisan spending bill that takes health care away from working families.
To help during this Republican federal government shutdown, my office has prepared answers to these frequently asked questions. You can also contact my office in Newark at (973) 645-3213 or in D.C. at (202) 225-3436.
My team is still here, working and ready to serve you, and my offices remain open in spite of this Republican shutdown. If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to my office online via this webform or by phone to my Newark office at (973) 645-3213 and my D.C. office at (202) 225-3436.
RESOURCES:
Furloughed federal employees assigned to work in New Jersey are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown that began October 1, 2025. Benefits will be paid to eligible federal workers for the duration of the shutdown, regardless of when the claim is filed.
My goal is to keep you updated throughout this shutdown and well into the future. Check out the recording of my emergency tele-town hall on the Republican Shutdown here, where I answer your questions and give an overview of what has happened so far.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):
What happens during a government shutdown?
The government shuts down when Congress fails to pass legislation known as “appropriations” bills, which fund federal agencies and federal programs. Appropriations bills typically fund the government through the end of the fiscal year, which ended on September 30, 2025. If a new appropriations bill has not been signed into law by that expiration date, Congress must pass a short-term stopgap measure known as a “continuing resolution” (CR) to fund the government. Without a new appropriations bill or a CR, the government shuts down. In this circumstance, Republicans have refused to come to the table to work with Democrats on a solution.
How long will the government shutdown last?
Historically, the longest shutdown on record is the Trump administration shutdown that began in December of 2018 and lasted 35 days. Though we do not know how long this shutdown will last, my offices will remain open to serve you.
What happens if I’m a federal worker during a shutdown?
Federal employees who work at an agency that has been shut down are either furloughed—that is, prohibited from reporting to work and are not paid—or must work without pay if they are considered essential to fulfilling ongoing government functions, like those required to maintain public safety. Historically, Congress has passed legislation to pay both categories of employees retroactively once the government reopens. Healthcare coverage continues during the shutdown.
Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?
Yes. 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?
Veterans will still be able to access care. 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?
No. 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 is 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 those 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 facility inspections—will be delayed.
SNAP FAQ & RESOURCES:
Will I get my November SNAP benefits?
Benefit payments are suspended as a result of the Trump Administration’s decision to withhold billions in SNAP funding, and will not go out as usual on November 1.
However, benefits loaded onto your EBT card before November 1 will carry over and remain usable even after November 1.
Before heading to the store, you can check your account at NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling (800) 997-3333 .
Is SNAP going to run out of funding?
The short answer is no, SNAP is not running out of money. Republicans are holding up existing emergency funding and using the government shutdown as an excuse.
In October, Trump’s Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, wrote a letter to the state agencies that administer SNAP, directing them not to distribute benefits on November 1st. She and other GOP officials are claiming there’s no money left for SNAP. In reality, the Administration has more than $5 billion available right now to fund November payments for the program.
Because the USDA directed states not to send November SNAP payments and warned them that they would not be reimbursed if they did, most states notified SNAP participants that benefits would not go out on November 1. This leaves more than 820,000 people in New Jersey, including 144,000 from the Tenth District, without the assistance they rely on to put food on the table—it’s absolutely unacceptable.
What are you doing about threats to SNAP?
I’m fighting in Congress every day to secure SNAP funding—not only to fight back against Trump’s cuts, but to secure and expand the program for the future.
I also signed a letter to Agriculture Secretary Rollins demanding that she stop illegally withholding funding for November benefits. I’m also a proud co-sponsor of the Feed Our Families Act (H.R. 2016), which would require SNAP benefits to go out even during a shutdown.
For help, you can always call my office at (973) 645-3213 or visit us at 60 Park Place Suite 302, Newark, NJ 07102. I and my staff are working hard through this government shutdown and are committed to serving you.
What can I do if I'm struggling with food?
If you need a hot meal, the NJ Basic Needs and Information Hub has lots of information on where to go and what to expect.
For help, you can always call my office at (973) 645-3213 or visit us at 60 Park Place Suite 302, Newark, NJ 07102. I and my staff are working hard through this government shutdown and are committed to serving you.
You can also use the resources below:
Cranford Family Care Association
6 Myrtle Street, Cranford NJ, 07016
908-276-3530
M-F, 9:00–4:00
Salvation Army - East Orange
430 Main Street, East Orange NJ, 07017
973-674-3150
Union Co Division of Social Services
342 Westminster Ave, Elizabeth NJ, 07208
908-965-2700
M-F, 9:00–4:00
Community FoodBank of NJ
31 Evans Terminal Rd, Hillside NJ, 07205
908-355-3663
M-F, 9:00–4:00
Bethany Lutheran Church Food Pantry
2015 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City NJ, 07305
201-432-8773
Every 4th Friday/Sat.
St. Theresa Church
541 Washington St, Kenilworth NJ, 07033
908-272-4444
W 6:00–7:00, Th 10:00–12:00
LINCS Food Pantry
14 W Munsell Ave, Linden NJ, 07036
908-925-2523
By Appointment
Linden Presbyterian Church
1506 Orchard Terr, Linden NJ, 07036
908-486-3073
4th Fri, 8:30-11
St John the Apostle Church
1805 Penbrook Terr, Linden NJ, 07036
732-388-1216
2nd/4th Fri 12:00–3:00
Sisters & Brothers Outreach
1318 E St. Georges Ave, Linden NJ, 07036
908-994-9797
Th 4:00
Toni's Kitchen
73 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair NJ, 07042
973-932-0768
Human Needs Food Pantry
9 Label Street, Montclair NJ, 07042
973-746-4669
Apostles' House Food Pantry
22 Grant Street, Newark NJ, 07104
973-482-6609
MWF, 10:00–3:00
New Community Corporation
220 Bruce Street, Newark NJ, 07103
973-623-6114
M-F, 10:00–2:00
St James Social Service Corp.
604 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Newark NJ, 07104
973-624-4007
Salvation Army - Newark West
699 Springfield Ave, Newark NJ, 07102
973-375-5933
By Appointment
First Hopewell Baptist Church
525 Orange St, Newark NJ, 07102
973-485-8100
House of Mercy Mission
573 Springfield Ave, Newark NJ, 07104
973-642-6226
Blessed Sacrament Pantry
19 Van Ness Pl, Newark NJ, 07108
973-824-6549
Church of the Epiphany & Christ
105 Main Street, Orange NJ, 07050
Sa 11:00–1:00
Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges
357 S Jefferson St, Orange NJ, 07050
973-357-5586
St Joseph the Carpenter Church
157 E 4th Ave, Roselle NJ, 07203
908-241-1250
1st Sat
New Destiny Community Development
129 Chestnut Street, Roselle NJ, 07203
908-884-4928
F 5:00
Casano Community Center
314 Chestnut Street, Roselle Park NJ, 07204
908-245-0666
W 10-8
Church of the Assumption
113 Chiego Place, Roselle Park NJ, 07204
908-245-1107
2nd/4th Tu 9:00–10:00
Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church
888 Stuyvesant Ave, Union NJ, 07083
908-688-3164
3rd Sa 10:00–12:00
Twp of Union Food Pantry
1776 Morris Ave, Union NJ, 07083
908-851-8501
M-F 9:30–4:30
Ukrainian Evangelical Assembly of God
2208 Stanley Terr, Union NJ, 07083
908-686-8171
2nd W 5:00–6:45
Golden Kitchen Food Pantry
221 Oswald Place, Vauxhall NJ, 07088
908-687-4008
2nd Sa 10:00–12:00
Church of The Holy Spirit
36 Gould St, Verona NJ, 07044
973-239-2850
4th Sa 9:00–11:00
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
315 Main St, West Orange NJ, 07052
973-325-0369
Tu 9:00–12:00