Shutdown Basics

What Closes During a Government Shutdown?

Short Answer

During a federal shutdown, agencies must stop or limit activities that are not funded, not separately authorized, and not treated as excepted work under the Antideficiency Act.

Closures vary by agency, funding source, and the agency's current shutdown or lapse plan. In a partial shutdown, only the agencies or programs whose funding has lapsed are usually affected.

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Detailed Explanation

A shutdown is not one single on/off switch for the entire federal government. Each agency follows its own contingency plan, and each plan sorts work into categories that can continue and work that must pause.

That means the practical answer depends on which appropriations have lapsed. During the current DHS-focused partial shutdown, the most direct effects are concentrated in Homeland Security functions. A broader lapse would reach more departments and services.

For the other side of the question, see what stays open during a shutdown.

Who Is Affected

  • Federal employeesEmployees assigned to non-excepted work may be furloughed. Excepted employees may be required to work even if regular pay is delayed until funding resumes.
  • ContractorsContractor work may stop, continue, or shift depending on the contract, available funding, and agency direction.
  • Travelers and applicantsTravel screening, passports, permits, call centers, and public-facing services can vary by agency and facility.
  • Visitors to federal sitesMuseums, visitor centers, park facilities, public tours, and permit offices may close or operate with limited services if the responsible agency is affected.

What Continues / What May Stop

Usually continues

  • Activities needed to protect life and property.
  • Work funded by sources that have not lapsed, such as some fees, carryover funds, or permanent appropriations.
  • Benefit payments that are funded outside the lapsed annual appropriation, depending on the program.
  • Agency shutdown work needed to secure files, systems, property, and personnel.

May close or be delayed

  • Non-excepted agency operations funded by lapsed appropriations.
  • Routine customer service, public inquiries, and administrative processing.
  • Some grants, permits, inspections, research activity, training, and onboarding.
  • Visitor centers, public tours, restrooms, trash service, and programs at affected public sites.

Official Sources

What Stays Open During a Government Shutdown? Which excepted, exempt, safety, security, benefit, and fee-funded functions usually continue. Who Gets Paid During a Government Shutdown? The difference between furloughed workers, excepted workers, contractors, military personnel, and recipients. Are National Parks Open During a Government Shutdown? What park visitors should expect from access, visitor centers, restrooms, permits, and safety services. Is TSA Affected During a Government Shutdown? Why screening usually continues and why staffing strain can still affect travelers.

FAQ

Does everything close during a government shutdown?

No. Many activities continue because they are excepted, exempt, fee-funded, permanently funded, or needed to protect life and property.

Are partial shutdowns different from full shutdowns?

Yes. In a partial shutdown, the effects are usually concentrated in the agencies or programs whose funding has lapsed.

Who decides what closes?

Agencies follow contingency plans and government-wide legal guidance. Specific decisions can vary by agency, funding source, and current instructions.

Can services change during a shutdown?

Yes. Agencies may update staffing and service decisions as a lapse continues, especially if the shutdown lasts longer than expected.