Are Social Security payments affected by the government shutdown?

The government shutdown is in full-swing, and if you receive Social Security, you might be wondering if this will impact your benefits.

While most agencies have stopped or reduced services and furloughed all but the most essential employees, Social Security offices will operate with essential personnel to ensure beneficiaries will receive their payments on time.

According to the Social Security Administration, local offices will remain open to the public during this time but may not provide as many services.

Here’s what you need to know about receiving your benefits during a government shutdown and what other services are or aren’t available.

Will I be able to receive Social Security benefits during the government shutdown?

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income are considered mandatory spending, according to CBS News.

This means that funds for this government program are approved by Congress and are not tied to an expiration date.

So if the government shuts down, you will still receive your benefits.

Will other Social Security services be available during the government shutdown?

Although 12% of the agency’s 51,825 employees will be furloughed as part of the government shutdown, the Social Security Administration has outlined several services that will be available.

People can still do the following at Social Security offices during the government shutdown:

• apply for benefits
• request an appeal
• change their address or direct deposit information
• report a death
• verify or change their citizenship status
• replace a lost or missing Social Security payment
• obtain a critical payment
• change a representative payee
• make a change in their living arrangement or income (SSI recipients only)
• obtain a new or replacement Social Security card

However, there are certain services that are not available during the shutdown, including benefits verification, Freedom of Information Act requests, Medicare card replacements and processing of overpayments.