Social Security Payments in Jeopardy? What a Government Shutdown Means for October Checks

MJP –

Government funding is scheduled to expire at midnight on September 30, 2024, unless a resolution is passed by the House and Senate before the month ends. The House of Representatives was unable to approve a continuing resolution on Wednesday that would have extended the government’s financing authority until March 2025.

There is typically a stalemate in Congress over the yearly budget, which consists of twelve spending bills that must pass both chambers before the president signs them into law. In order to keep the government operating while the House and Senate negotiate the specifics of the yearly budget, Congress often approves continuing resolutions, which are short-term spending legislation. Prior to reaching a consensus on the budget for this year, Congress approved four temporary spending bills. However, the government will shut down if Congress fails to approve financing by October 1st.

In the event that the Social Security Administration and the IRS close their doors, recipients of Social Security and other government benefits may be concerned about whether they will still receive their October check in the case of a shutdown.

Below, we’ll go over the potential consequences of a government shutdown for Social Security payouts. Here are four scenarios in which you can see a reduction in your Social Security benefits, and here is the COLA that analysts expect to see in 2025.

Is it possible for a government shutdown to affect the delivery of my Social Security check?

Each federal agency determines, in the event of a government shutdown, which services are absolutely necessary and must continue despite the lack of money.

Social Security’s Decision: No SSI Payments Until October 2024—Are You Affected?

Deputy commissioner of budget, finance, and management of the Social Security Administration Chad M. Poist laid out the agency’s backup plan (PDF) in 2023, in anticipation of a shutdown. Despite his warning that the government would lay off 53,000 workers and end programs unrelated to benefits payments, he assured the public that the department would “continue activities critical to our direct-service operations and those needed to ensure accurate and timely payment of benefits.”

How does that impact you personally?

Payroll taxes paid by both companies and employees go into a separate fund called the Social Security trust fund, which is responsible for supporting benefits rather than the yearly budget. Your monthly payment will continue as usual if you are one of the approximately 72 million Americans who receive Social Security payments or are enrolled in other programs (refer to the section below).

All forms of Social Security payments, including SSI, SSDI, and Social Security Income, fall under this category. It could take some time before you hear back from the Social Security Administration regarding your payment concerns.

A government shutdown would not impact which other federal programs?

You can also anticipate prompt delivery of your Medicare or Medicaid payments. During a shutdown, you could experience some delays in receiving a response to your concerns.

A possible loss of food stamp and WIC benefits

If the government were to shut down, individuals who get aid via the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, might potentially lose it immediately.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would continue to be sent out to the 40 million Americans who receive them, but only for a short period of time due to the USDA’s inability to give out benefits for 30 days after a shutdown begins.

The Department of Education has warned that student loan and aid systems, such as the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application processing, the distribution of Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans, and the servicing of Federal student loans, could be affected in the event of a probable government shutdown in 2023.

Here is the Social Security payment schedule, including when SSDI checks are sent out and when SSI payments are expected to arrive, so that your benefits are delivered on time.