A potential government shutdown can raise concerns among its citizens and Americans are no different as they are concerned about the possible effect a government shutdown could have on some government agencies and that includes tge social security service. If there is a government shutdown, you may still be able to receive your benefits even though you may encounter some difficulties in reaching out to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Regardless, Americans are puzzled: What happens to services such as field office assistance, replacement Medicare cards or disability processing when the government shuts down? Let’s have a look at all these in more detail.
Will Social Security benefits be interrupted during a shutdown?
The first thing you might be asking is, “Will I still get my Social Security check?” The good news is that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are not affected by a government shutdown. According to Kathleen Romig, a director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Social Security checks will continue to be distributed without interruption. This is because Social Security is funded through permanent appropriations, meaning it does not rely on the annual federal budget to keep running. So, no need to worry about any delay in receiving your monthly payments.
What Social Security services will be impacted by a shutdown?
This is the part where some Americans may struggle to understand. Your payments will be made, but accessing Social Security may be a challenge. During a shutdown, 15% of the workers in the Social Security Administration (SSA) could be laid off, and this can possibly result in delayed services.
There are some services you may find difficult to get because they require close monitoring from an SSA staff, like verifying benefits or renewing Medicare cards. However, you may still be able to apply for benefits and get assistance from SSA’s field offices but other less essential services may not be available during a shutdown even if you secured an appointment with their staff members from the field prior to the shutdown.
Prepare yourself in advance if you need any documentation or assistance from social security besides what is necessary.
Can you still apply for disability during a shutdown?
If you’re applying for benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as well as Supplemental Security income (SSI), then it is possible that one may experience more severe delays. Services concerning determination of whether a person has disabilities are considered at the state level and financed by the federal government. Therefore, they are more likely to experience a greater impact during a government shutdown. Though SSA instructs states against stopping their work on disability claims issuance during this time, every state makes its decision independently according to Romig. In other instances some states have at times stopped providing disability support programs thereby worsening the existing backlog of cases.
Americans should expect delays in processing their claims including disability claims when a shutdown occurs. Be prepared to be patient during this delay.
How do you contact Social Security during a government shutdown?
If you need to get in touch with Social Security during a government shutdown, it’s still possible. Field offices will remain open, and you can contact the SSA via phone. However, because of the reduced staffing, you may experience longer wait times than usual. Online services will also remain available, so you might find it quicker to handle certain tasks through the SSA’s website.
For more complex issues or anything that requires speaking to a live representative, though, patience is key. It’s a good idea to handle any routine requests, like replacing a Social Security card or verifying benefits, before a potential shutdown to avoid long waits or processing delays.
