US Federal Government Shutdown and the Impacts on Relocation Services

What Is a Federal Government Shutdown? 

As of 12:01 a.m. October 1, multiple agencies of the US federal government have ceased or limited their operations and services. Congress was unable to pass appropriations bills that fund these operations and until an agreement is reached and signed by the President, the US government is shut down.

Which Agencies Remain Open During a Federal Government Shutdown?

Many agencies of the federal government are deemed essential, and the employees of those agencies are required to continue to report for work. These agencies include: 

• Social Security Administration
• US Postal Service
• US Internal Revenue Service
• TSA/Airport Security and Air Traffic Control
• US Customs and Immigration – including the Passport Office
• US Military (though not civilian roles in the military)
• US Veterans Hospitals and Services
• FEMA/Disaster Relief Agencies 

Note: Since funding is not approved for all federal employees, their pay may be suspended until a spending bill is approved (at which time back pay is processed). The impact may be that fewer employees will come to work in an extended shutdown. 

What Is the Impact to Relocation Services? 

Relocation services may be impacted by the federal government shut down in some areas, for example:

• US Passport offices are open as are US overseas Consulates, but in an extended government shut down, they may experience staffing shortages and service delays for approval of applications
• Employers are still required to complete I-9 employment eligibility verification documents, however, the E-Verify process for doing so online is suspended during the government shutdown
• Social Security offices and call centers will be open, but services may be delayed due to staffing shortages
• Departments of Motor Vehicles are state-run (not federal) agencies and are open for service; however, motor vehicles offices will require first time applicants to provide social security information. If there is a delay in obtaining a social security number, the driver’s license application will also be delayed
• Banks and financial institutions also require social security information to open accounts, and that process will likely be delayed if the applicant has not received their social security number
• Schools in the US are managed at the local level and not directly impacted by the federal government shutdown. Some federally funded educational and nutritional programs may be suspended or curtailed during the shutdown
• Airport travel may be impacted if TSA is short staffed. Travelers should plan for longer lines at US airport security
• Disaster Relief agencies are open to service critical needs. In the event of a major weather event such as a hurricane or flooding, or other natural disaster such as wildfires, agencies will coordinate emergency services

What Are 'Non-Essential' Services and How Are They Impacted? 

The federal government employees approximately 3 million people delivering services ranging from national parks and museums management, to food and drug safety, to weather reporting, to statistics and data management. Many of these services will be reduced or suspended during a federal government shut down but should not directly impact most relocation-related services.

The President may also direct agencies to reduce, furlough, or layoff agency employees. 

How Long Will the Federal Government Shutdown Last? 

The houses of Congress will continue to meet and vote on appropriations bills. Until a negotiated agreement is reached, which could take days or weeks, government operations will be impacted. The last government shut down lasted 35 days and it is unknown at this time how long this shutdown will last.

Tailored How Frequently Learning for Each Destination and Role 

Dwellworks will provide updates via email advising clients of significant changes in government agency operations/availability. We are communicating daily with our network of 1000+ local destination consultants to assess impacts on the ground and in local communities.  Our Consultants can provide updates on local services to transferring employees on a per instance basis. 

Note: The impacts of the US Federal government shutdown will change over time based on funding and staffing. All information provided in our FAQs is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 

About Dwellworks:

Dwellworks is the world’s largest provider of destination-related services and temporary living solutions for the globally mobile workforce and business travelers. We provide business-to-business solutions for Fortune 1000 and emerging companies directly and through their relocation management partners. Whether a company needs to relocate its employees across the country or around the world, we provide a range of support services to help employees and their families transition successfully from their home location to a new destination.

Dwellworks supports the diversity of our clients’ globally mobile workforce with personalized destination solutions in 16 countries, covering hundreds of major relocation markets. Dwellworks Living, our global furnished temporary living solution, offers corporate housing accommodations for relocation and business travel customers in 125 countries. Our full-service real estate brokerage, Station Cities, supports home rentals, sales, and purchases in the Tri-State New York area and Chicago. Visit our homepage, learn about our services, and read our blogs to learn how we can help with your relocation and business travel needs.