10/01/2025
As of 12:01 am today, the federal government has shut down. Here is what we know so far how this affects Social Security claimants and beneficiaries:
1. Benefits will continue during the shutdown
SSI & DIB benefits will continue without interruption.
2. Current Status of Pending Claims
Disability Hearings:
The Office of Hearings Operations is continuing scheduled hearings with medical experts, vocational experts and support staff. Decision writers are among the excepted employees continuing to work during the shutdown. Delays are anticipated for exhibiting cases, processing of decisions, adding new medical and other administrative functions.
Initial Applications:
Disability Determination Services (DDS) will continue processing initial claims, TERI, CAL, quick disability determinations, dire need and wounded warrior claims. DDS employees are state employees, each state will determine whether it can maintain operations and pay its employees during the federal funding lapse. The SSA will reimburse states for their work once federal funding is restored.
Appeals and Reconsideration:
Appeals will be processed but with reduced support staff, resulting in extended processing times.
3. Anticipated Service Disruptions
The SSA furloughed about 6,200 employees nationwide. There will be service disruptions.
• Customer service: Phone wait times will increase dramatically; many calls likely will go unanswered.
• Field Office Services: Applications, processing of appeals, post-entitlement actions impacting payments will be delayed due to the reduction in staffing. There will also be limited walk-in availability.
• Documentation Services: Benefit verification letters, replacement cards and non-claim related earnings record corrections will not be processed during the shutdown.
• Online Services: The SSA portal will be operational but technical support will not.
• Medicare cards: Replacement cards will not be issued.
• Overpayment Processing: This will be suspended.
If the shutdown lasts longer tan 5 days, the SSA plans to reevaluate staffing levels and may bring back additional employees to maintain critical operations.
4. What this Means for You
• Benefits will continue.
• Applications, Appeals and Hearings are moving forward, but delays are expected in decisions and case processing.
• There will be longer wait times when contacting the SSA.
Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding beginning October 1, 2025. Until further notice, the federal government is shut down. We know you have questions and will do our best to answer them.
