How does the government shutdown impact Social Security recipients? Here’s what to know

WASHINGTON — The Social Security Administration reassured millions of Americans Wednesday that the ongoing government shutdown shouldn’t impact them too severely. But, the agency warns some services will not be available for the time being.

Most importantly for millions, the SSA confirmed that Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits payments will not be paused during the shutdown. Payments will be issued as scheduled with no interruptions, meaning this week’s SSI payments scheduled for Oct. 1 and Social Security benefits payments going out on Oct. 3 will not be impacted.

The SSA also said local offices will remain open and can provide assistance for most services offered by the agency. However, staffing at offices may be reduced leading to longer wait times for assistance.

The SSA says that during the shutdown staff can continue to help you:

• Apply for benefits.
• Request an appeal.
• Change your address or direct deposit information.
• Report a death.
• Verify or change your citizenship status.
• Replace a lost or missing Social Security payment.
• Obtain a critical payment.
• Change a representative payee.
• Make a change in your living arrangement or income (SSI recipients only).
• Obtain a new or replacement Social Security card.

While those services remain available, the SSA cannot offer in-person assistance for:

• Replacing your Medicare card.
• Issuing a proof of income letter.
• Updating or correcting earnings records.

Those services can still be used if the beneficiary has a My Social Security account. Other services that will not be available include Freedom of Information Act requests, overpayments processing, and payee accounting.

For the SSA’s full government contingency plan, visit the SSA website.