How a Government Shutdown Can Affect Social Security

Source: CBS News

Even during a U.S. government shutdown, Social Security payments will continue as scheduled, thanks to mandatory funding that doesn’t require annual approval from Congress. Retirees, disabled individuals, and dependents of deceased workers won’t see any disruption in benefit checks, including the upcoming October payments.

However, some non-essential Social Security services could be delayed, including benefit verifications, earnings corrections, overpayment processing, and replacement Medicare cards. The annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) announcement, typically released in October, might also be delayed if the shutdown affects the release of inflation data from the Labor Department.

The Social Security Administration’s contingency plan keeps about 90% of its workforce on duty, prioritizing timely benefit payments while pausing less critical services until funding is restored.

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