Will shutdown affect your Social Security or Medicare? What happens to payments?
.JPG "Shutdown won’t stop Social Security or Medicare payments. Offices offer essential services only; some customer support and administrative tasks may be delayed.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Social Security and SSI payments continue on schedule; SSA offices reduce services.
- Medicare benefits and care continue; call centers and admin functions face delays.
- Furloughs affect about 750,000 workers; unpaid staff and court operations continue.
The government shutdown that began Oct. 1 has many people wondering: Will my federal benefits stop flowing?
Despite furloughs and the halting of some services, payment will continue on schedule for retirees and the disabled, as well as those who get Supplemental Security Income.
The Social Security Administration said the shutdown will not affect benefit payments, according to a notice on its website and social media. Social Security payments are not subject to budget swings because they come from payroll tax paid by U.S. workers and employers, and are considered mandatory government spending.
In the same notice, the SSA said its offices will remain open but operate in a reduced capacity, providing only essential services.
MORE: Can you visit Everglades National Park during the federal shutdown?
Social Security services and the government shutdown
Due to the funding interruption, the agency said local Social Security offices will provide only the following services:
Help applying for benefits; help filing an appeal; change of address or direct deposit information; accepting death reports; verifying or changing citizenship status; replacing a lost or missing Social Security payment; issuing a critical payment; changing a beneficiary representative; processing a change in your living situation or income (SSI beneficiaries only); issuing new or replacement Social Security cards.
These are the services that will not be provided while the shutdown continues:
Replacing a Medicare card; issuing a Social Security earnings statement; updating or correcting your earnings record.
The Social Security Administration said hearing offices remain open to conduct hearings before an administrative law judge.
Many Social Security transactions can be done online at MySocialSecurity.
What happens to Medicare during the shutdown?
Medicare will not be interrupted by the shutdown because it’s classified as a mandatory government service. About 70 million beneficiaries can still go to medical appointments, receive medications and get hospital care.
But expect some delays for certain services such as Medicare’s help line. The sevrice remains open but half of the agency’s staff have been furloughed. Payments to providers and other administrative services could also be delayed, AARP’s website noted.
Federal employees and possible layoffs
Government employees will not be paid until Democrats and Republicans reach a budget agreement, which could take days or even weeks because the dispute centers on health care cuts. As a result, service delays are likely, labor unions warn.
About 750,000 employees will be sent to furlough each day, according to the Congressional Budget Office. That represents $400 million a day in withheld pay. The White House also warned that employees whose duties “do not align with presidential priorities” could lose their jobs.
In addition to essential entities, courts will also remain open. The Postal Service will operate as usual because, officials say, its revenue does not depend on the federal government but on what it charges mail customers.
