Federal Services, Agencies Slowly Returning After Government Shutdown Ends

After 43 days, the longest federal government shutdown in history is history after President Donald Trump signed the funding bill passed in both chambers of Congress on Wednesday night.

Once the bill is signed, federal agencies and services are expected to immediately return to normal; However, some benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will take a while to be distributed.

The spending bill reopens and funds the federal government through Jan. 30, 2026, with some agencies like the Department of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs funded through the end of the fiscal year.

Here’s what you should know about the government reopening.

When will federal employees return to work?

At least 670,000 federal employees were laid off during the shutdown, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

The furloughed employees are expected to return to work immediately, and there are some indications that those orders have been sent to specific agencies.

Furloughed employees at Health and Human Services were told to “report to work” on Thursday, according to a memo obtained by ABC News.

“If HHS employees do not have pre-approved scheduled leave, or do not obtain leave approval, then they will be “considered absent without leave (AWOL),” the memo reads.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) also told agencies Thursday that they should consider “the disruption to the lives and routines of furloughed employees.”

Late payments and undoing Trump firings

Federal workers deemed essential, including Capitol Police officers, Transportation Security Administration workers and air traffic controllers, were forced to work without pay during the shutdown.

During the shutdown, the administration issued layoffs through reduction orders for federal workers at several agencies.

All federal workers are entitled to back pay under the Fair Treatment of Government Employees Act of 2019, signed into law by Trump during the now second-longest shutdown of his first term.

The law covers both furloughed employees and those forced to work without pay during a government shutdown.

The funding bill includes additional language to reverse the Trump administration’s layoffs during the shutdown and ensure furloughed workers receive back pay.

It also includes language to prevent additional reductions in effect until the government’s next funding deadline on January 30, 2026.

When will SNAP benefits be distributed?

The bill includes a provision to fully fund SNAP benefits through the end of September 2026.

The money is expected to be distributed soon, but officials have not revealed the timeline.

Federal courts ordered the administration to pay SNAP benefits during the shutdown; However, the administration went to the Supreme Court to pause the order while appellate litigation continued.

On Thursday, the administration withdrew its case.

Attorney General John Sauer said in a filing that the “underlying dispute here is now moot.”

When do DC museums open?

All Smithsonian museums have been closed since October 12 after running out of funds.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazey Center will reopen Nov. 14, according to an advisory. on your website.

“All other museums, “The research centers and the National Zoo will reopen on a rolling basis on Monday, November 17,” the message said.

When will the air traffic system be complete?

The shortage of air traffic controllers, who were not furloughed, was so severe during the shutdown that the Federal Aviation Administration was forced to reduce flights by 10% at 40 airports, causing thousands of flights to be canceled and delayed across the country.

According to Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, between 15 and 20 drivers resigned during the shutdown.

Duffy told reporters Tuesday that air traffic controllers will receive 70% of their back pay within 24 to 48 hours of reopening.

Air travel could take up to a week to return to normal operations after the government shutdown ends, Airlines for America President and CEO Chris Sununu said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Sununu said he doesn’t see any impact lasting into the holiday season.

“I don’t think any flights during Thanksgiving week have been canceled yet. I think the airlines have been working pretty closely with the FAA waiting a few days to be sure,” he said.

Where are the Obamacare subsidies?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that Democrats sought during the shutdown were not included in the Senate deal to reopen the government, which passed with the help of eight moderate Democrats.

The ACA’s enhanced tax credits don’t expire until Dec. 31, and if no deal is reached, health premiums will increase for more than 20 million Americans.

Sources told ABC News on Monday that Senate Republican leadership has promised to allow a vote on a Democratic-picked bill related to the ACA in December.

But House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to holding a House vote on the subsidies.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries filed a motion Wednesday to expand Obamacare subsidies. It would need some House Republicans to vote with Democrats for it to pass.