WASHINGTON, D.C. — After Congress failed to pass a funding deal by the Oct. 1 deadline, the federal government is now in a partial shutdown. Yet for millions of Americans, one source of certainty remains: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will continue to be delivered on schedule, with no interruption to payment dates.
In a statement, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reassured beneficiaries that their monthly checks would arrive as usual, a critical lifeline amid economic uncertainty.
“We want you to know that during the federal government shutdown, payments to all people who currently receive Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue with no change in payment dates. You will still receive your payments on time,” the agency said.
However, not all services will remain unaffected. Local SSA offices will remain open, but their offerings will be curtailed. While beneficiaries can still apply for benefits, request appeals, change addresses or direct-deposit information, report a death, or replace lost cards, several in-person services will be suspended until the shutdown ends, the SSA said. Among those temporarily unavailable are benefit-proof letters and updates to earnings records.
Hearings offices, where appeals before an Administrative Law Judge take place, will continue to function, though beneficiaries may experience limitations in scheduling or support. The SSA warns that some in-person requests may not be fulfilled during the shutdown.
Beneficiaries are being encouraged to manage their accounts online. A personal my Social Security account allows users to view benefit estimates, apply for benefits, request replacement cards, and more. The SSA emphasized the convenience and security of conducting such transactions digitally through ssa.gov/myaccount/.
This latest disruption also highlights a recent change in how the SSA delivers benefits. Since phasing out paper checks in favor of direct deposit and prepaid debit cards, the agency has streamlined payments to ensure beneficiaries continue receiving their funds even during a government shutdown, without relying on mail delivery or in-office processing.
For ongoing information about the shutdown’s impact, the agency directs the public to ssa.gov/agency/shutdown.
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