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Government Shutdown Ends: What that means for credit unions

Posted by on November 13, 2025

After the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, a deal has been reached and passed to reopen the federal government.

The shutdown created many difficulties and challenges for federal employees and millions of Americans that rely on services and assistance. In this moment of difficulty, credit unions stepped up, as you always have. Your work to deliver on the principle of “people helping people” showed up throughout the shutdown, in your communities but also in the media and outreach to elected officials. While the shutdown was a disappointing chapter for the government, it was a shining example of the credit union difference.

Thank you for all of your amazing work to serve your members and your communities!

What’s Next

Reopening the government and restoring federal employees and programs will not be an immediate process. Many of your members and people in your community will still be dealing with the impacts of the shutdown into the near-term. History shows that affected federal systems operate on different timelines, so members may experience variations in when assistance or backpay appears in their accounts. Please share any feedback or observations, and we’ll engage with our delegation as needed.

Here’s what you need to know about the deal that was reached to fund the government and how that will roll out in the days ahead:

  • Funded…Through January: Congress has agreed to a continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels until January 30, 2026, with a few exceptions.
  • Full-Year Funding for Veterans, Ag, Military Construction: The agreement includes three full-year 2026 appropriations bills that will establish funding levels for the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs as well as for military construction projects (MilCon), which is three of the twelve regular appropriations bills.
  • RIFs Reversed – Backpay Guaranteed: Reduction in force (RIF) actions that were taken by the Administration, as a result of the shutdown, will be reversed and backpay will be guaranteed for all federal employees, although that is already current law.
  • CDFI Staff Retained: The elimination of the 100+ Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) program staff will be reversed, before their termination, which was set for December. Additionally, the over 1,400 Treasury and 400 HUD employees that were targeted for elimination will retain their jobs.
  • SNAP Benefits Restored: The U.S. Supreme Court allowed for a stay on forcing the Administration to release SNAP benefits for a short time, but those nutrition benefits should begin flowing as soon as the President signs the funding agreement.
  • Flood Insurance and SBA Loans Available: The National Flood Insurance Program will be reauthorized for a short time and SBA Loans will once again be available.

People Helping People

We worked with many of you to share with media and lawmakers how you were stepping up for your members and communities. We will continue to promote those stories and resources in the weeks ahead, so please continue to share your stories and any data points on your services and impact with our team.

Click here for a two-minute survey you can fill out to share the resources and impact stories from your shutdown response.

We encourage you to remain proactive in communicating with your members throughout the reopening process to ensure they know you will remain supportive throughout the restoration of funding and assistance.

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Federal Advocacy.

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