shutdown

A Federal Government Shutdown

With the impending federal government shut down, my office has created this page as a resource guide. Below, you’ll find information on what a government shutdown means, how it affects you, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) & additional resources for furloughed employees. PLEASE NOTE: This page is a living document; it is frequently updated so please check in for additional information.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 915-541-1400 or email me at Veronica.Escobar@mail.house.gov.

If you are impacted, my team and I would like to hear from you. Please fill out this survey to share with me about the impacts of a government shutdown has on you or your family,  this survey if you're worried about skyrocketing healthcare premiums, or this survey if you have received a notice that your insurance rates will go up in 2026.

What is a government shutdown?

The government shuts down when Congress is unable to pass appropriations bills that finance the operations of federal agencies and programs, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These appropriations bills are designed to fund the government until the conclusion of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30. If a new appropriations bill isn't enacted by this deadline, Congress needs to pass a temporary measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which sustains the government's funding at its current level. For instance, a CR passed this year would maintain funding at Fiscal Year 2025 levels. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to lack of authorized funding.

Will your offices still be working in the event of a shutdown?

Yes, my office will continue working for constituents through a government shutdown.

Constituents who need assistance with a federal agency can still submit their request directly to my casework team through the website. 

Although the team will receive and process your inquiries with their usual diligence, please be advised that in the event of a shutdown, federal agencies may be less responsive than usual to our District Office’s efforts to advance constituent casework because of reduced staffing and capacity.

If you have a comment or idea, please contact the Washington DC (202-225-4831) or El Paso (915-541-1400) offices.

How long will the government shutdown last?

Historically, the longest shutdown on record is the Trump administration shutdown that lasted 35 days. Although we do not know how long this shutdown will last, both of my El Paso and Washington, DC offices will remain open for those seeking help or answers.

How does the government prepare for a shutdown?

Each government agency should have contingency plans for how to operate during a federal shutdown. Many will have to stop or reduce the essential services they provide with this lapse in funding, as well as put employees on furlough until the agencies are funded at capacity again. As of this publishing of this webpage, the Trump administration has not updated the official White House website. Once that has been published, this section will be updated.

What’s the effect of a government shutdown on the economy as a whole?

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the 2018-2019 shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion — largely the result of federal workers cutting spending to cope with the loss of their paychecks.

What has to happen to end a government shutdown once it starts?

Congress must pass and the President must sign appropriations bills to fund the departments and reopen agencies that have shut down.

How Does This Government Shutdown Affect You?

The following federal facilities may be affected in the event of a government shutdown:

• Military bases, arsenals, depots, and federal armories
• Veterans’ Affairs medical facilities
• Federal prisons and courthouses
• National laboratories
• National Park System facilities, National Forests, and other federally owned or managed lands
• Ports including seaports, airports, and intermodal terminals that may host federal customs processing facilities or law enforcement
• IRS facilities
• Law enforcement agencies like the FBI, ATF, DEA, or CBP
• General federal office buildings 

I work in one of these facilities/agencies. Does this mean I won’t be working? Will I be paid?

• 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 and Medicare.
• Federal employees whose agency or programs are funded by annual appropriations that have not been provided for Fiscal Year 2025 will be designated by their agency as "essential" or "non-essential." Only essential employees—generally those who do work related to safety, property protection, health, emergency response, and other work as determined by their agencies—will be allowed to report for work once available funding has been exhausted.
• Those deemed non-essential when agency funding has been exhausted are legally required to stay home and are put on unpaid furlough.
• Regarding pay, all federal employees should immediately contact their supervisor/employing agency for further guidance.
• NOTE: Employees are encouraged to visit their agency's website. The White House Office of Management and Budget has not updated its own website for operating statuses from agencies, yet agencies like Health and Human Services have uploaded contingency plans on their own pages.

Will federal programs be affected by a government shutdown? Which ones?

Below you’ll find a list of how major federal programs have been previously affected:

Please note: The years for these plans may vary, so the information may not be up to date. Please do not construe the below as official agency plans for Fiscal Year 2026.

Impact on Major Federal Programs (based on previous shutdowns)

Health Care Programs

• Medicare will continue during a lapse in appropriations.
• Other non-discretionary activities including Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control and Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation activities will also continue.
• Payments to eligible states for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will continue. Federal Exchange activities, such as eligibility verification, using Federal Exchange user fee carryover, will continue. 
• Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities that provide patient care will remain open in the event of a lapse of appropriation. 

Military Operations

• The DoD would continue to defend the nation and conduct ongoing military operations necessary for national security, including administrative, logistical, medical, and training activities in support of these operations. 
• Activities necessary for recruiting (e.g. MEPS, basic training) would continue. 
• Response to emergencies, hazardous material control, commissaries located overseas and in remote US locations where no other sources of food are reasonably available for military personnel, protection of DoD equipment in foreign countries, foreign humanitarian assistance, various counseling services, counterdrug activities, and mortuary affairs are examples of operations that would continue. 

Military Personnel

• All military personnel would continue their normal duty status but would not be paid until funds are appropriated. Reserve personnel performing Active Guard Reserve (AGR) duty would continue to report for duty. 
• Permanent change of station movement is limited and Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) would be canceled, unless it is in support of certain operations, related to the safety of human life or protection of property, and foreign relations. 
• Medical and dental care would still be available, but elective procedures would not be. Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) operations (e.g. operation of mess halls, physical training, and child care activities required for readiness) would also continue. 

National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA)

• Functions related to the safety of human life and the protection of property would continue in three main program areas: maintenance and safeguarding of nuclear weapons; international non-proliferation activities; and servicing deployed naval reactors. 

Nutrition Assistance

• During a shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as food stamps) will continue to provide payments to recipients until appropriated resources run out. If there is no appropriations deal or Farm Bill in place, it will likely cause serious disruption to the SNAP program.
• Most other domestic nutrition assistance programs, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, WIC, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, can continue to operate at the State and local level with any funding and commodity resources that remain available. Additional Federal funds and commodities will not be provided during the period of the lapse, meaning these programs may eventually run out of resources depending on the length of the shutdown. 

Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs)

• Bonneville Power Administration is self-funding under a permanent, indefinite appropriation and would continue to operate normally. 
• The Southeastern Power Administration, Southwestern Power Administration, and Western Area Power Administration would perform functions related to the safety of human life and the protection of property by engaging in controlling and directing power to utilities, transmission of power, and repair of the power transmission system. 

Public Housing Assistance

• Some rental voucher assistance programs like Section 8 will continue unimpeded where an existing contract is in place, and previously obligated tenant assistance will be paid out. However, new funds will not be obligated and waivers for troubled assets in the program will not be processed. Public Housing Authorities are not required to cease issuing vouchers during a shutdown, and may continue to do so based on their financial ability. 

Social Security Benefits

• A shutdown does not impact payments of Social Security benefits, including Disability Income or Retirement Income. Social Security benefits are paid out of a trust fund that is not subject to Congressional appropriation and is considered mandatory spending. 
• Hearings on disability status will continue during a shutdown. Lack of supporting personnel may slow proceedings, including exhibition of evidence. Delays in proceedings may cause a delay in paying out benefits, even where a decision is made. 

Student Loans

• Federal Direct Student Loans can continue to be obligated and make disbursement during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. Department staff needed to carry out and support these functions would also be significantly reduced. 
• The Department estimates Free Applications for Student Aids (FAFSA), Pell Grant and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. 

Superfunds

• Superfund appropriations accounts are “no-year” so as long as there are funds available in such a “no-year” account, they may continue to be obligated for that program until it is no longer practicable to operate. After that, superfund response work where a failure to maintain operations would pose an imminent threat to human life, would continue. 

Taxes

• During a shutdown, the IRS stops audits and taxpayer assistance programs. They may also stop paying tax refunds, though they continued to do so during the 2019 shutdown. 
• Work on issues related to the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan are considered activities exempt from a shutdown, where there is funding other than annual appropriations available. 

Veterans Benefits

• All functions within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) would continue, including PACT Act benefits. 
• Benefits under the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) such as education benefits, insurance processing, compensation and pensions, loan guaranty programs and Veteran Readiness and Employment payment processing would continue. 
• The National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA) burial, scheduling of burials, first notice of death, and headstone processing functions would continue. Oversight and direct administration of the NCA program offices (Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, Engagement and Memorial Innovations, Cemetery Development and Improvement Service, Finance, Legislative and Regulatory Service, etc.) would cease. 
• Legal advice and court support for funded programs would continue. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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 provide limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop services like benefit verifications and processing overpayments. Customer service wait times will dramatically increase.

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?

Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months.

What happens to veterans' services?

All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits. However, veterans will be affected by the shutdown of other services that they count on, including education and job training, support for veteran- owned businesses, and even assistance for homeless veterans.

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.

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 without pay. On-base non-acute health care will cease, although off-base care provided through Tricare will not be affected. On-base child care will be open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement will also be required to work without pay for the duration of a shutdown.

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.

Will air travel be affected?

Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job without pay. If some do not report to work, as has happened in prior shutdowns, there will be significant delays and longer wait times across the country.

What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies, but all long-term projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.

How will this affect environmental protection and cleanup?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop inspecting most hazardous waste sites, as well as drinking water and chemical facilities. Efforts to address dangerous contaminants like PFAS — which are linked to severe health effects, including cancer — will be delayed, and cleanup activities at Superfund sites will slow or cease.

What is the impact on food assistance?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will quickly run out of funding and be unable to provide food for children and parents in need. In the case of a prolonged shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may also be affected.

What is the impact on food safety activities?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities — such as routine inspections of facilities — will be delayed across the country.

What is the impact on housing?

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 stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans. Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged shutdown.

How will this affect 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.

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.

What does this mean for medical research?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be forced to delay new clinical trials. New patients who are waiting for a chance at new treatment through a clinical trial will be turned away.

Will I still be able to visit National Parks and monuments?

Across the country, services that require National Park Service staff — including trash removal and operating campgrounds and concessions — may be stopped. Closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis; open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. Smithsonian museums may also be impacted by a lengthy shutdown.

How does this affect passports and help for Americans overseas?

Consular services, passport services, and visa services are expected to continue in the immediate aftermath of a government shutdown. In a prolonged shutdown, passport and visa issuance could be slowed. Access to passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.

What is the impact on state and local services?

The federal government shutdown will not immediately affect any state or local services. However, with federal funding cut off, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions.

Resources for Furloughed Employees

211 is a clearinghouse of information about available resources for federal employees impacted by the shutdown. If additional resources not listed below are needed, call 2-1-1 for more information. You can also reach out to our office at 915-541-1400.

UTILITIES

El Paso Water (915-594-5500), El Paso Electric (915-543-5970) and Texas Gas Service (800-700-2443) will work with customers to create payment arrangements.

Texas Gas Service customers who need financial assistance can find resources at texasgasservice.com/cares or call them at (800-700-2443).

FOOD

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank services El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culbertson counties. For more information on how they can help you, visit their website here or call 915-298-0353.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND STRESS RELIEF

Emergence Health Network (www.emergencehealthnetwork.org) has a crisis hotline (915-779-1800 manned by qualified mental health professional and backed up by on-call professionals who are available 24/7. You can also visit one of their mental health clinics.

For YMCA members who are government employees and are furloughed as part of a shutdown, the YMCA of El Paso will defer any membership dues and if you have children in one of the YMCA’s afterschool programs, they will defer payments for this care. The YMCA will also offer their intermission day camp that takes place the first two weeks of October at no charge. 

For more information, contact your nearest YMCA:

Bowling YMCA (Northeast) 5509 Will Ruth. El Paso, TX 79924. 915-755-9622
Loya YMCA (Eastside) 2044 Trawled Ave. El Paso, TX 79935. 915-590-9622
Westside YMCA (Westside) 7145 N Mesa. El Paso, TX 79912. 915-584-9622

CREDIT UNION RESOURCES

FirstLight Federal Credit Union has a webpage for those that may be impacted by a government shutdown. You can visit their webpage here.

GECU has a webpage for those that may be impacted by a government shutdown. You can visit their webpage here.

Raiz Federal Credit Union has a webpage for those that may be impacted by a government shutdown. You can visit their webpage here.

USAA has a webpage for those that may be impacted by a government shutdown. You can visit their webpage here.

Navy Federal Credit Union has a webpage for those that may be impacted by a government shutdown. You can visit their webpage here.

FOR WRONGLY TERMINATED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Workers Legal Defense is offering free legal support and resources to any federal worker who has been wrongfully terminated. That information can be found here.

Un cierre del gobierno federal 

Con el inminente cierre del gobierno federal, mi oficina ha creado esta página como una guía de recursos. A continuación, encontrará información sobre lo que significa un cierre del gobierno, cómo le afecta, preguntas frecuentes,  y recursos adicionales para los empleados suspendidos. TENGA EN CUENTA: Esta página es un documento en vivo;  que se estará actualizando con frecuencia, así que no dude en consultarlo para  obtener mas información . 

Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en comunicarse con mi oficina al 915-541-1400 o enviarme un correo electrónico a Veronica.Escobar@mail.house.gov. 

¿Qué es un cierre del gobierno? 
 
El gobierno cierra cuando el Congreso no puede aprobar proyectos de ley de presupuesto que financian las operaciones de agencias y programas federales, como los Institutos Nacionales de Salud (NIH) o el Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP). Estos proyectos de ley de presupuesto están diseñados para financiar al gobierno hasta el cierre de cada año fiscal, que finaliza el 30 de septiembre. Si no se decreta un nuevo proyecto de ley de presupuesto antes de esta fecha límite, el Congreso debe tomar medidas temporales y aprobar lo que se le conoce como   resolución continua (CR), que mantiene los fondos del gobierno en su nivel actual. Por ejemplo, un CR aprobado este año mantendría los mismos fondos a niveles del año fiscal 2025. En ausencia de un proyecto de ley de presupuesto aprobado o una resolución continua (CR), el gobierno se enfrenta a un cierre debido a la falta de fondos autorizados. 

¿Cuánto durará el cierre del gobierno? 
 
Históricamente, el cierre más largo registrado es el cierre de la administración Trump que duró 35 días. Aunque no sabemos cuánto durará este cierre, mis oficinas de El Paso y Washington, DC permanecerán abiertas para aquellos que buscan ayuda o respuestas. 

¿Cómo se prepara el gobierno para un cierre? 
 
Cada agencia gubernamental debe tener planes de contingencia sobre cómo operar durante un cierre federal. Muchos tendrán que detener o reducir los servicios esenciales que brindan con esta pausa en la financiación, así como poner a los empleados en licencia hasta que las agencias vuelvan a recibir fondos a su capacidad. Al momento de esta publicación en esta página web, la administración Trump no ha actualizado el sitio web oficial de la Casa Blanca. Una vez publicado un comunicado oficial, esta sección se actualizará. 
 
¿Cuál es el efecto de un cierre del gobierno en la economía en su conjunto? 

Según la Oficina de Presupuesto del Congreso, el cierre de 2018-2019 le costó a la economía de EE. UU. $ 11 mil millones, en gran parte como resultado de que los trabajadores federales redujeron sus gastos tras la perdida de sus salarios.   
¿Qué tiene que pasar para poner fin a un cierre del gobierno una vez que comienza? 

El Congreso debe aprobar y el presidente debe firmar proyectos de ley de presupuesto para financiar los departamentos y reabrir las agencias que han cerrado. 

¿Cómo le afecta este cierre del gobierno? 

¿Qué instalaciones federales se verán afectadas por este cierre del gobierno? 

Las siguientes instalaciones federales pueden verse afectadas en caso de un cierre del gobierno: 

Trabajo en una de estas instalaciones/agencias. ¿Esto significa que no trabajaré? ¿Me pagarán? 

¿Los programas federales se verán afectados por un cierre del gobierno? ¿Cuáles? 

A continuación, encontrará una lista de cómo los principales programas federales se han visto afectados anteriormente: 

Tenga en cuenta: Los años de estos planes pueden variar, por lo que es posible que la información no esté actualizada. No interprete lo siguiente como planes oficiales de la agencia para el año fiscal 202. 
 

Impacto en los principales programas federales 

Programas de atención médica 

Operaciones militares 

Personal militar 

Administración Nacional de Seguridad Nuclear (NNSA) 

Asistencia nutricional 

Asistencia de vivienda pública 

Beneficios del Seguro Social 

Préstamos estudiantiles 

Superfondos 

Impuestos 

Beneficios para veteranos 

Preguntas frecuentes 

¿Seguiré recibiendo mis cheques del Seguro Social y SSI? 

Los beneficiarios continuarán recibiendo sus cheques del Seguro Social y SSI. La Administración del Seguro Social (SSA) proporcionará servicios limitados como la emisión de tarjetas de Seguro Social y la celebración de citas para solicitudes de beneficios. Sin embargo, la SSA detendrá servicios como verificaciones de beneficios y procesamiento de sobrepagos. Los tiempos de espera del servicio al cliente aumentarán drásticamente. 

¿Se verán afectados los beneficios de Medicare y Medicaid? 

Los beneficiarios actuales de Medicare, Medicaid y seguro de discapacidad continuarán recibiendo sus beneficios suponiendo que un cierre dure menos de tres meses. 

¿Qué sucede con los servicios para veteranos? 

Todas las instalaciones médicas y clínicas de Asuntos de Veteranos (VA) continuaran operando. El VA continuará procesando los beneficios de los veteranos. Sin embargo, los veteranos se verán afectados por el cierre de otros servicios con los que cuentan, incluida la educación y la capacitación laboral, el apoyo a las empresas propiedad de veteranos e incluso la asistencia a los veteranos sin hogar. 

¿Qué empleados federales siguen trabajando durante un cierre del gobierno? 

Cuando el gobierno cierra, las agencias federales deben clasificar a sus empleados cuyos salarios han vencido como "exento" o "no exento". Los empleados clasificados como "exentos" trabajan sin paga durante el cierre. Los empleados clasificados como "no exentos" son puestos en licencia sin goce de sueldo. 

¿Cuál es el impacto en el personal militar de EE. UU. y las fuerzas del orden federales? 

Todos los miembros en servicio activo y de la Guardia y los reservistas en servicio activo están exentos y, por lo tanto, deben trabajar sin paga. La atención médica no urgente en la base terminará, aunque la atención fuera de la base proporcionada a través de Tricare no se verá afectada. El cuidado infantil en la base estará abierto caso por caso. Las fuerzas del orden federales también deberán trabajar sin paga durante la duración de un cierre. 

¿Se suspenderán los beneficios para jubilados militares y federales? 

Los militares y federales retirados continuarán recibiendo sus beneficios de jubilación. Se retrasará el procesamiento de nuevas solicitudes u otros cambios solicitados. 
 
¿Se verán afectados los viajes aéreos? 

Los controladores de tráfico aéreo, los oficiales de la Administración de Seguridad en el Transporte (TSA) y los agentes de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza (CBP) permanecerán en el trabajo sin paga. Si algunos no se presentan a trabajar, como ha sucedido en cierres anteriores, habrá retrasos significativos y tiempos de espera más largos en todo el país. 

¿Qué significa esto para los esfuerzos de socorro en casos de desastre? 

El personal de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) seguirá respondiendo a las emergencias, pero todos los proyectos a largo plazo se retrasarán debido a la falta de fondos en el Fondo de Ayuda para Desastres. 

¿Cómo afectará esto a la protección y limpieza del medio ambiente? 

La Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA) dejará de inspeccionar la mayoría de los sitios de desechos peligrosos, así como las instalaciones de agua potable y productos químicos. Los esfuerzos para abordar contaminantes peligrosos como PFAS, que están relacionados con efectos graves para la salud, incluido el cáncer, se retrasarán y las actividades de limpieza en los sitios Superfund se retrasaran o terminarán. 

¿Cuál es el impacto en la asistencia alimentaria? 

El Programa Especial de Nutrición Suplementaria para Mujeres, Bebés y Niños (WIC) se quedará rápidamente sin fondos y no podrá proporcionar alimentos a los niños y padres necesitados. En el caso de un cierre prolongado, los beneficios del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) también pueden verse afectados. 

¿Cuál es el impacto en las actividades de seguridad alimentaria? 

Las actividades de seguridad alimentaria de la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA), como las inspecciones de rutina de las instalaciones, se retrasarán en todo el país. 

¿Cuál es el impacto en la vivienda? 

La Administración Federal de Vivienda (FHA) dejará de asegurar algunas hipotecas nuevas y el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (HUD) dejará de procesar algunos préstamos nuevos. El Departamento de Agricultura (USDA) detendrá la actividad de nuevos préstamos y garantías de préstamos. El VA continuará garantizando préstamos hipotecarios. Los fondos para los programas federales de asistencia para la vivienda, como los vales de elección de vivienda, pueden verse comprometidos en un cierre prolongado. 

¿Cómo afectará esto a las pequeñas empresas? 

La Administración de Pequeñas Empresas (SBA) dejará de procesar nuevos préstamos comerciales, como a través de los programas 7 (a) y 504. Sin embargo, el Programa de Préstamos por Desastre de la SBA continuará operando con regularidad. 

¿Seguirá llegando mi correo? 

Sí. El Servicio Postal de EE. UU. no se ve afectado por un cierre. 

¿Qué significa esto para la investigación médica? 

Los Institutos Nacionales de Salud (NIH) se verán obligados a retrasar nuevas pruebas clínicas. Los nuevos pacientes que estén esperando una oportunidad de un nuevo tratamiento a través de una prueba clínica serán rechazados. 

¿Podré seguir visitando parques nacionales y monumentos? 

En todo el país, los servicios que requieren personal del Servicio de Parques Nacionales, incluida la eliminación de basura y la operación de campamentos y concesiones, pueden detenerse. Los cierres se determinarán ubicación por ubicación; los parques y monumentos al aire libre en Washington, DC probablemente seguirán siendo accesibles. Los museos Smithsonian también pueden verse afectados por un cierre prolongado. 

¿Cómo afecta esto a los pasaportes y la ayuda a los estadounidenses en el extranjero? 

Se espera que los servicios consulares, los servicios de pasaportes y los servicios de visas continúen inmediatamente después de un cierre del gobierno. En un cierre prolongado, la emisión de pasaportes y visas podría retrasarse. El acceso a las agencias de pasaportes ubicadas en algunos edificios gubernamentales puede ser limitado. 

¿Cuál es el impacto en los servicios estatales y locales? 

El cierre del gobierno federal no afectará de inmediato a ningún servicio estatal o local. Sin embargo, con el corte de fondos federales, es posible que algunos gobiernos estatales o locales tengan que cambiar sus operaciones. Consulte con las agencias estatales y locales si tiene preguntas específicas. 

Recursos para empleados suspendidos 

211 es un centro de intercambio de información sobre los recursos disponibles para los empleados federales afectados por el cierre. Si se necesitan recursos adicionales que no se enumeran a continuación, llame al 2-1-1 para obtener más información. También puede comunicarse con nuestra oficina al 915-541-1400. 
 
ALIMENTOS 
 
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank presta servicios en los condados de El Paso, Hudspeth y Culbertson. Para obtener más información sobre cómo pueden ayudarle, visite su sitio web aquí o llame al 915-298-0353. 

SERVICIOS DE SALUD MENTAL Y ALIVIO DEL ESTRÉS 

Emergence Health Network (www.emergencehealthnetwork.org) tiene una línea directa de crisis (915-779-1800) atendida por profesionales de salud mental calificados y respaldada por profesionales  que están disponibles las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana. También puede visitar una de sus clínicas de salud mental. 

Para los miembros de la YMCA que son empleados del gobierno y están suspendidos como parte de un cierre, la YMCA de El Paso diferirá cualquier cuota de membresía y si tiene hijos en uno de los programas extracurriculares de la YMCA, aplazarán los pagos de esta atención. La YMCA también ofrecerá su campamento diurno intermedio que se lleva a cabo las dos primeras semanas de octubre sin cargo.  

Para obtener más información, comuníquese con su YMCA más cercana: 

Bowling YMCA (Noreste) 5509 Will Ruth. El Paso, TX 79924. 915-755-9622Loya YMCA (Eastside) 2044 Trawled Ave. El Paso, TX 79935. 915-590-9622Westside YMCA (Westside) 7145 N Mesa. El Paso, TX 79912. 915-584-9622 
 

RECURSOS DE LA COOPERATIVA DE CRÉDITO 

FirstLight Federal Credit Union tiene una página web para aquellos que pueden verse afectados por un cierre del gobierno. Puede visitar su página web aquí. 

GECU tiene una página web para aquellos que pueden verse afectados por un cierre del gobierno. Puede visitar su página web aquí.