U.S. Government Shutdown Update: What Kinship/Grandfamilies and Intergenerational Advocates Need to Know

On October 1st, the United States federal government entered a partial government shutdown due to Congress’s failure to pass a funding bill to keep federal agencies fully operational. Many programs that support kinship/grandfamilies, as well as intergenerational programs and initiatives, are facing funding uncertainty and challenges getting support from federal agencies. Generations United is monitoring the situation to provide guidance on how families and programs may be impacted and how to mitigate harm.

• Federal Benefits: SNAP, WIC, TANF, and other critical programs could face delays if left unaddressed. SNAP and WIC benefits have continued through October, but there is concerning uncertainty for November SNAP benefits and states are at risk of running out of WIC funds. Social Security benefits continue, but there are reported Social Security service challenges due to the shutdown.
• Federal Agencies & Workers: Over a million federal workers are going without pay, with roughly half being furloughed and half continuing to work. The Trump Administration enacted additional layoffs impacting the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies. On October 15th, a judge blocked the layoffs, calling for employees to be reinstated and pausing future layoffs for 30 days.
• Childcare & Early Education: Head Start and other federally-supported child care and early learning programs are at risk of service interruptions or reduced operations.
• Intergenerational Programs: Federal grant-funded initiatives that support connections between generations could see temporary delays in funding or program activities.


Generations United urges the Trump Administration to find ways to sustain these critical programs during the shutdown and prevent SNAP, WIC, TANF, and other benefit delays, as has been done for other priorities.

We need to hear from you! Tell us how the shutdown is impacting children, older adults, kinship families, and services in your community. Your stories are critical in the fight to protect essential supports for all generations. Email us at gu@gu.org.

Resources for More Information:

• The Government is Still Shutdown: Here's What That Means Across the Country from NPR
• Government Shutdown Threatens Nonprofits' Ability to Serve Communities from the National Council of Nonprofits
• SNAP Funding During the Shutdown from the Food Research & Action Center
• What You Need to Know About SNAP, TANF, and Other Benefits During the Government Shutdown from Propel
• How a Government Shutdown Hurts Kids from First Focus on Children
• National WIC Association Urges Urges Additional Funding to Prevent Disruption in WIC Benefits
• How the Government Shutdown Affects Older Americans from AARP
• Shutdown 2025: Impact on Head Start Programs from First Five Years Fund
• Education Department Guts Special Education Staff Amid Government Shutdown from the National Education Association
• Administration Plans for Mass Firings in a Shutdown Not Justified by Law from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Opioid Settlement Funds for Grandfamilies and Kinship Families

Across the United States, more than 3,000 state and local governments have sued pharmaceutical companies in an effort to recoup the billions spent responding to the opioid crisis. These lawsuits resulted in tens of billions in settlements awarded to help states and communities recover.

Now, as decision-makers determine how these funds will be allocated, children raised by grandparents and other relatives due to the opioid crisis risk being overlooked. Grandfamilies and kinship families are often on the front lines of the opioid epidemic, stepping in to care for children when parents are unable to do so. Yet many receive little or no dedicated support.

Generations United and GRAND Voice caregiver advocates are working to ensure that opioid settlement funds are used to support grandfamilies and kinship families. These funds can help expand access to:

• Financial and legal assistance for relatives raising children
• Mental and behavioral health services for both children and caregivers
• Substance use prevention and treatment programs
• Support groups and community-based kinship navigator programs

Generations United’s Opioid Settlement Funds for Grandfamilies Action Guide offers specific steps individuals and organizations can take to ensure grandfamilies are included in state and local planning processes.

Interested in advocating for opioid settlement funds in your state? Contact Adina Wambua at awambua@gu.org to join Generations United's Opioid Settlement advocacy work group.

Help Generations United Advocate for Your Communities 

Generations United remains committed to advocating for grandfamilies and kinship families, and ensuring that intergenerational programs continue to receive the attention and support they need. Help us build a society that values all generations by making a donation today. If you're an organization, join us!

About Generations United: For over three decades, Generations United has been the catalyst for policies and practices stimulating cooperation and collaboration among generations, evoking the vibrancy, energy, and sheer productivity that result when people of all ages come together. We believe that we can only be successful in the face of our complex future if generational diversity is regarded as a national asset and fully leveraged. For more information, visit www.gu.org.

Questions? Please email gu@gu.org.