Hailey
When the U.S. government shuts down, many people worry about how it might affect their lives. For the 74 million Americans who depend on Social Security, this question becomes even more important.
The good news is that monthly Social Security checks will still arrive, even during a shutdown. However, some services may be delayed or paused because certain parts of the Social Security Administration (SSA) rely on government funding that could temporarily stop.
Why Payments Continue During a Shutdown
Social Security benefits are funded through mandatory spending. This means Congress has already approved the money for these programs without setting an expiration date.
Because of this, payments continue even when other parts of the government close. Retirees, people with disabilities, and dependents of deceased workers will still get their checks as scheduled.
The SSA has a strong track record — it has never missed a payment in its 90-year history. That means even during a shutdown, the agency will continue to send out Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Disability Insurance payments on time.
Services That May Be Affected
Even though payments will continue, not every SSA service will run smoothly. Many employees could be furloughed, meaning they will not work until the shutdown ends. This can slow down customer service, application processing, and updates to personal information.
Below is a simple table showing what will continue and what could be delayed:
| Service | Status During Shutdown |
|---|---|
| Monthly benefit payments | Continue as usual |
| Applying for new benefits | May experience delays |
| Replacing Medicare cards | Possibly paused |
| Verifying benefits for third parties | Could be delayed |
| Correcting earnings records | Likely paused |
| Public inquiries and training | Temporarily stopped |
In the most recent shutdown plan, about 90% of SSA employees were expected to keep working because their roles are essential for ensuring accurate and timely payments. However, roughly 6,000 workers could be temporarily laid off until the government reopens.
Why Some Services Slow Down
The reason some services get delayed is because they depend on discretionary funding, which Congress must renew each year. When there is no approved budget, that funding is paused.
So while benefit checks come from mandatory spending and keep flowing, activities like system updates or issuing new cards might stop.
This situation can also make it harder for people to reach customer service agents, since fewer workers are available to handle calls and appointments.
Possible Delay in COLA Announcement
Another area that might be affected is the Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA. This annual increase ensures that Social Security payments keep up with inflation. The SSA usually announces it each October, based on data from the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index.
If a shutdown delays the release of inflation data, the COLA announcement could be postponed. This doesn’t mean beneficiaries will lose their raise — it just means the official announcement might come later than usual.
What Recipients Should Do
Social Security recipients don’t need to worry about missing payments, but they should be prepared for possible delays in other services. Here are a few simple steps to stay ready:
- Make sure your direct deposit information is correct.
- Keep track of your usual payment schedule.
- Try using online services instead of visiting local offices.
- Stay patient if customer service lines are slower than normal.
In short, a government shutdown will not stop Social Security payments. They are protected by mandatory funding and will arrive on time. However, other services such as replacing Medicare cards, verifying benefits, or correcting records could take longer due to reduced staff.
The SSA will focus on essential work to keep checks going out, but minor disruptions may still happen. For millions of Americans, this means peace of mind knowing that the most important support — their monthly benefit — will continue without interruption.
FAQs
Will Social Security checks stop during a government shutdown?
No. Social Security payments will continue because they are funded through mandatory spending, which doesn’t depend on yearly budget approvals.
What services might be delayed during a shutdown?
Services like benefit verifications, Medicare card replacements, and record corrections may be slowed or paused.
Could the COLA increase be affected?
The COLA announcement could be delayed if a shutdown prevents the release of inflation data, but payments themselves will not be affected.