See all the ways shutdown is affecting Social Security, from payments to COLA news

As the government shutdown continues, thousands of Social Security Administration workers have been furloughed, likely prompting recipients to worry about their payments.

Though the furloughs have limited which services are available, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments will continue as usual. These benefit programs are not dependent on congressional approval, so the ongoing standoff between lawmakers does not impact Social Security payments.

However, receipients may find roadblocks on completeing certain Social Security-related tasks or a delay in cost-of-living adjustment information being announced.

Here’s what Arizona recipients need to know about Social Security and the government shutdown.

Are Social Security checks late this month?

Yes, these payments are still being sent out as normal during the shutdown as they are legally considered mandatory spending .

Regular Social Security retirement benefits will be sent out on the SSA’s usual schedule:

• Oct. 8: Birth dates between the first and 10th of the month.

• Oct. 15: Birth dates between the 11th and the 20th of the month.

• Oct. 22: Birth dates between the 21st and the 31st of the month.

Beneficiaries who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive two checks in October after not receiving a check in September. The next check SSI recipients will receive will be the October check on Oct. 1. They will also receive the November 2025 check on Oct. 31.

Will government shutdown delay Social Security COLA news?

The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment announcement is scheduled for Oct. 24, whether or not the U.S. government is open.

In order to determine the annual COLA adjustment, the Social Security Administration must have the September Consumer Price Index data. It was originally set to be released on Oct. 15, but the government shutdown delayed that release and thus the adjustment announcement.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said it will publish the required data on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8:30 a.m. ET so the Social Security Administration can calculate and release the COLA information.

The latest estimate up to the August inflation data show a Social Security check rising 2.8%, up from 2.7% the prior month, Johnson said.

A 2.8% COLA would mean just more than a $52 monthly increase in the average Social Security benefit. The average monthly benefit was $1,864.87 in August, Social Security Administration data shows.

Are Social Security offices open during shutdown?

Social Security offices are still open during the shutdown, but only some services are available. Per SSA, the following services are still available:

• Applying for benefits

• Requesting an appeal

• Changing address or direct deposit information

• Accepting reports of death

• Verifying or changing citizenship status

• Replacing a lost or missing Social Security payment

• Issuing a critical payment

• Changing a representative payee

• Processing a change in living arrangement or income (SSI recipients only)

• Issuing new or replacement Social Security cards

The following Social Security services are unavailable during the shutdown:

• Replacing a Medicare card

• Issuing a proof of income letter

• Updating or correcting earnings record.

Social Security offices in Arizona

There are more than a dozen Social Security offices in Arizona. To find the office nearest you, visit ssa.gov/locator.

• Apache Junction: 253 W. Superstition Blvd.

• Casa Grande: 1637 E. Monument Plaza Circle

• Chinle: Tseyi Shopping Center on Highway 191

• Douglas: 600 E. 15th St.

• Flagstaff: 2715 S. Woodlands Village Blvd.

• Glendale: 5907 W Kings Ave.

• Globe: 1405 E. Ash St.

• Mesa: 702 W. Jerome Ave.

• Nogales: 1760 N. Mastick Way

• Phoenix: 16241 N. Tatum Blvd. and 250 N. Seventh Ave.

• Prescott: 205 N. Marina St.

• Safford: 650 S. 14th Ave.

• Show Low: 2500 E. Cooley St., Suite 407

• Tuba City: 1010 Main St.

• Tucson: 3808 N. First Ave. and 88 W. 38th St.

• Yuma: 325 W. 19th St., Suite 1

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Social Security is affected by government shutdown. How it impacts you