At midnight on Tuesday, September 30th, federal funding lapsed and the federal government entered a full government shutdown.
My Democratic colleagues in Congress and I are working tirelessly to convince Republicans in Congress to negotiate with us on a continuing resolution that protects health care for millions of Americans, guarantees funding for programs that working families rely on, and safeguards our democracy. As you navigate the challenges of this difficult moment, my team and I want you to have the most up-to-date information on what services will and will not be available during a government shutdown.
Many federal agencies will be forced to furlough staff, which will slow response times. In some cases, agencies may be forced to suspend their services altogether. Please note a government shutdown will also impact my office’s ability to assist constituents.
Please find relevant information about a variety of government agencies and services below. We will do our best to keep this page current as more information becomes available.
Please note, the following information is up-to-date as of 9/30/2025.
Many federal government agencies and programs rely on annual funding appropriations passed by Congress. Every year, Congress must pass and the President must sign budget legislation for the next fiscal year. When Congress fails to pass these bills, federal agencies are required to suspend all non-essential operations, or “shut down,” until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law. Many essential services will continue to function, as will mandatory spending programs.
Each federal agency develops its own shutdown plan, following guidance released by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Each plan identifies which government activities may not continue until appropriations are restored, requiring furloughs and the halting of many agency activities. Essential services – many of which are related to public safety – continue to operate, and are subsequently paid for when appropriations are enacted.
In prior shutdowns, in-hospital medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, and power grid maintenance have been among the services classified as essential, as have some legislative and judicial staff. Mandatory spending not subject to annual appropriations, such as for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, also continues. Other examples of activities that continue are those funded by user fees that are not subject to the appropriations process, such as immigration services funded by visa fees.
Due to the shutdown, our offices in both D.C. and Hartford will be closed to the public. You will still be able to call our office, although responses may be delayed. Mail will not be answered until after the shutdown ends. Staff will not be able to arrange Capitol tours or fulfill flag requests. You may still submit new casework requests on our website, but please note that our constituent services representatives will have a reduced ability to assist you, as many federal agencies will be closed during the shutdown.
Click here to submit a casework request.
You can reach our D.C. office at (202) 224-4041.
You can reach our Hartford office at (860) 549-8463.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Though funding for the SNAP program is mandatory, the ability to send out “food stamp” benefits could be affected by a shutdown. The USDA will only be allowed to send out SNAP benefits to recipients for 30 days after the beginning of a shutdown. If the shutdown persists further, SNAP benefits will run out. In addition, during any shutdown, stores are not able to renew their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card licenses, so those whose licenses expire will not be able to accept SNAP benefits during a shutdown. Connecticut Foodshare and Food Pantries have locations throughout the state and can offer assistance during a shutdown.
Find a Food Pantry or Meal Program with 211
Find a Connecticut Foodshare Mobile Pantry with Connecticut Foodshare
SNAP Application Assistance from Connecticut Foodshare staff offers bi-lingual (English and Spanish) assistance with SNAP applications, Monday-Friday 8;30a-4:30p. Call 860-856-4357
Community Resources from Connecticut Foodshare
WIC: The federal contingency fund for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is projected to dry up after just a few days, which will leave many states with limited resources to support the program. As a result, women and children who rely on the program may be turned away from grocery stores as soon as next week when the program will no longer be able to load money onto their electronic benefit (EBT) cards. Connecticut Foodshare and Food Pantries have locations throughout the state and can offer assistance during a shutdown.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Though funding for the SNAP program is mandatory, the ability to send out “food stamp” benefits could be affected by a shutdown. The USDA will only be allowed to send out SNAP benefits to recipients for 30 days after the beginning of a shutdown. If the shutdown persists further, SNAP benefits will run out. In addition, during any shutdown, stores are not able to renew their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card licenses, so those whose licenses expire will not be able to accept SNAP benefits during a shutdown. Connecticut Foodshare and Food Pantries have locations throughout the state and can offer assistance during a shutdown.
Find a Food Pantry or Meal Program with 211
Find a Connecticut Foodshare Mobile Pantry with Connecticut Foodshare
SNAP Application Assistance from Connecticut Foodshare staff offers bi-lingual (English and Spanish) assistance with SNAP applications, Monday-Friday 8;30a-4:30p. Call 860-856-4357
Community Resources from Connecticut Foodshare
WIC: The federal contingency fund for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is projected to dry up after just a few days, which will leave many states with limited resources to support the program. As a result, women and children who rely on the program may be turned away from grocery stores as soon as next week when the program will no longer be able to load money onto their electronic benefit (EBT) cards. Connecticut Foodshare and Food Pantries have locations throughout the state and can offer assistance during a shutdown.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Though funding for the SNAP program is mandatory, the ability to send out “food stamp” benefits could be affected by a shutdown. The USDA will only be allowed to send out SNAP benefits to recipients for 30 days after the beginning of a shutdown. If the shutdown persists further, SNAP benefits will run out. In addition, during any shutdown, stores are not able to renew their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card licenses, so those whose licenses expire will not be able to accept SNAP benefits during a shutdown. Connecticut Foodshare and Food Pantries have locations throughout the state and can offer assistance during a shutdown.
Find a Food Pantry or Meal Program with 211
Find a Connecticut Foodshare Mobile Pantry with Connecticut Foodshare
SNAP Application Assistance from Connecticut Foodshare staff offers bi-lingual (English and Spanish) assistance with SNAP applications, Monday-Friday 8;30a-4:30p. Call 860-856-4357
Community Resources from Connecticut Foodshare
WIC: The federal contingency fund for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is projected to dry up after just a few days, which will leave many states with limited resources to support the program. As a result, women and children who rely on the program may be turned away from grocery stores as soon as next week when the program will no longer be able to load money onto their electronic benefit (EBT) cards. Connecticut Foodshare and Food Pantries have locations throughout the state and can offer assistance during a shutdown.