Government
Shutdown 2025

Timeline: Government Shutdown Paycheck Disruptions, Program Impacts
Shutdown Beginning Oct. 1, 2025
Shutdown Begins Oct. 1, 2025
A prolonged shutdown could potentially impact food banks in two main ways:
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Most immediately, there could be increased demand for food assistance from two groups of people who largely may not be facing hunger today: people who work for a federal contractor and military and civilian federal employees, due to layoffs or missed paychecks.
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In the longer term, there could be disruptions to SNAP, TEFAP, WIC and other federal nutrition programs, due to a lack of funding, a delay in processing benefits or both.
Below are some of the major shutdown milestones that would impact military and civilian federal employees, and individuals who participate in public assistance programs.
Expected Federal Employee Paycheck Disruptions
Note on federal employee paychecks: Active-duty military members, reservists and others who follow the Department of Defense (DOD) pay schedule are paid twice per month, whereas civilian employees who follow the General Services Administration (GSA) pay calendar are paid every two weeks.
Oct. 1 (Day 1 of Shutdown)
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· A government shutdown begins.
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· Pay for employees of federal contractors could be impacted immediately.
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· Federal civilian employees will receive their final full paycheck.
Oct. 15 (Day 15)
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· Active-duty military, reservists and other individuals on the DOD pay schedule will miss their first paycheck.
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· Federal civilian employees will receive a partial paycheck.
Oct. 29 (Day 29)
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· Federal civilian employees will miss their first full paycheck.
Oct. 31 (Day 31)
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· Active-duty military, reservists and other individuals on the DOD pay schedule will miss their second paycheck.
Status of Public Assistance Programs
Below is the best information we have about the funding status of federal nutrition programs at the time of a shutdown.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP benefits should be delivered in full and on their normal monthly issuance schedule at least through October. We recommend you check with your state agency for details.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
WIC benefits and services should be available at least in the case of a short shutdown. We highly recommend you check with your state agencies for details, as WIC funding status may vary from state to state.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
TEFAP entitlement and CSFP food orders are made in advance, and orders placed and confirmed prior to the shutdown are anticipated to be delivered as expected. Administrative funds may be disrupted during a shutdown, depending on the timeline and process each state has established, though these funds are expected to be provided retroactively.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
FDPIR food orders are made in advance, and orders placed and confirmed prior to the shutdown are anticipated to be delivered as expected. However, there may be disruptions to orders and deliveries beyond the shutdown date due to potential staff furloughs.
Child Nutrition Programs
School and after-school meal programs, as well as other child nutrition programs, will not be disrupted through at least October. These programs have more flexibility during a shutdown as they operate on a reimbursement model after meals have already been provided. For example, schools are reimbursed 30 days after the end of the service month.