The federal government’s partial shutdown entered its fifth day on Sunday, Oct. 5, after shuttering much of its operations just after midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 1, following Congress’s failure to reach a funding deal, with only essential services continuing.
President Donald Trump wants Democrats to support the Republican plan to restore government funding. So far, the Senate leadership has been unable to get the 60 votes needed to pass the bill, which means the government shutdown will continue until at least Monday, Oct. 6.
Pay has been suspended for roughly 2 million federal workers, with roughly 750,000 ordered not to work and others, such as troops and air traffic control workers, are required to work without pay.
More: Government shutdown 2025: What to know about federal layoffs, Social Security
Is the federal government still shut down?
Yes, the federal government remains partially shut down.
The shutdown currently underway ranks as the fifth longest in U.S. history. Senate Democrats, who are demanding a permanent extension of federal subsidies to help people afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, have voted down the funding bill four times. Republicans say that issue should be dealt with separately.
What happens to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid?
The Social Security Administration will continue to issue retirement and disability benefits, but will furlough 12% of its staff and pause marketing campaigns, according to the agency’s shutdown plan.
Payments will likewise continue under the Medicare and Medicaid health programs.
Will food aid continue under SNAP and WIC?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the nation’s largest food aid program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, will continue operations during a shutdown as funds allow, according to a shutdown planning document published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The United States Capitol Visitors Center closed on the first day of the federal government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025.
More: GOP, Trump get more blame for shutdown than Democrats, poll shows
Does the U.S. mail get delivered?
The U.S. Postal Service will be unaffected because it does not depend on Congress for funding, USPS said in a statement. Post offices will be open.
What about the airports?
More than 13,000 air traffic controllers will continue working without pay until the shutdown ends, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Most TSA employees will continue working, according to a statement from the agency.
What does a shutdown mean for the military?
The 2 million U.S. military personnel will remain at their posts without pay until the shutdown ends, according to a statement by the newly named Department of War, based on an executive order from Trump, but formally the Department of Defense until and unless Congress officially changes the name.
National Guard forces that Trump has deployed to U.S. cities must also continue to work.
What about law enforcement, borders and Homeland Security?
Agents at the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Coast Guard and other federal law enforcement agencies will remain on the job.
Justice Department staff who administer the immigration court system will largely stay on the job because Trump declared illegal immigration a national emergency, according to a department statement.
Border Patrol and immigration enforcement agents will stay at their posts, as would most customs officers, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s shutdown strategy.
Contributors: USA TODAY’s Natalie Neysa Alund, Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen, Melina Khan, Sudiksha Kochi, Sarah D. Wire; and Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know as the federal government shutdown enters its fifth day
