How Social Security Would Be Affected By A Government Shutdown
What happens to your Social Security check if the federal government shuts down? And what services would be paused?


The U.S. government is facing the prospect of yet another shutdown as lawmakers wrangle over a temporary funding bill. That's leaving many people wondering how Social Security would be affected if the federal government shuts its doors.
Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is one of the government agencies that has put together detailed contingency plans outlining the services that it would continue (and pause) in case of a shutdown. In their missive laying out its plan the agency said:
“We will continue activities critical to our direct-service operations and those needed to ensure accurate and timely payment of benefits. We will cease activities not directly related to the accurate and timely payment of benefits or not critical to our direct-service operations.”

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
So, one thing is clear — even if the U.S. government shuts down, you will continue to receive your Social Security checks and disability payments. The reason that Social Security payments will continue is that they are considered "mandatory spending," and they are funded under a trust, which is not part of the annual appropriations process.
Social Security services that would not be affected
Services that the SSA say it plans to continue include:
- Payment of Social Security checks
- Applications for benefits
- Requests for appeals
- Reconsiderations
- Payee changes
- Direct contact reinstatement of benefits
- Issuance of original and replacement Social Security cards
- Initial claims, , including terminally ill, compassionate allowances, quick disability determinations, dire need, and wounded warriors
- Assistance requests for hearings
Social Security services that would be paused
During a shutdown, the SSA would be partially closed — with about 8,103 of its 59,058 workers furloughed.
Services that are not directly related to payment benefits and those not critical to direct-service operations would stop until the government reopens, the SSA said. If the shutdown lasted more than five days, the SSA would re-evaluate the number of employees necessary to perform critical operations, as it did during the 2013 shutdown.
According to the SSA, services that are set to be paused should a shutdown occur include:
- Benefit verifications
- Earnings record corrections and updates
- Payee accountings
- Prisoner activities — suspension
- Requests from third parties for queries
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
- IT enhancement activities, public relations, and training
- Replacement Medicare cards
- Overpayments processing
Using an online Social Security account during a shutdown
One way to continue to access your information and avoid long wait times on the phone is to use an online Social Security account. Known as a my Social Security account, it can help you if you are still working or currently claiming benefits. You can take care of a number of tasks including requesting a replacement Medicare card, print proof of Social Security benefits and repay overpayments, some of the services typically not offered during a shutdown. Plus, it’s a good way to protect against Social Security fraud.
After you’ve set up your my Social Security account, you'll be able to review your earnings history, calculate an estimate of your future benefits and file for Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Related content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Esther D’Amico is Kiplinger’s senior news editor. A long-time antitrust and congressional affairs journalist, Esther has covered a range of beats including infrastructure, climate change and the industrial chemicals sector. She previously served as chief correspondent for a financial news service where she chronicled debates in and out of Congress, the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and the Commerce Department with a particular focus on large mergers and acquisitions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and in English.
- Donna FuscaldoRetirement Writer, Kiplinger.com
- Donna LeValleyRetirement Writer
-
Relentless Leadership Has Driven Oracle Stock's 100,000% Return
Oracle's share price growth also benefits from the company's commitment to innovation and tech investment.
By Louis Navellier Published
-
Planning Summer Travel? Use These Strategies
To save money on summer travel, book your tickets well ahead of time, use technology and avoid popular destinations.
By Sandra Block Published
-
Immortality: Do You Want to Live Forever? Here's How to Try
Is immortality achievable? With longevity science booming, you (or your children) might make it to age 150.
By Jacob Schroeder Published
-
My First $1 Million: Writer, 59, New England
A 59-year-old writer living in New England explains how they made $1 million as part of Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series.
By Joyce Lamb Published
-
How to Thrive in Retirement: Balancing the Tradeoffs
To cultivate a happy retirement, you need to tend to it as carefully as you would a flourishing garden, and that means making the right choices for you.
By David Conti, CPRC Published
-
Kick the IRS to the Curb in Retirement
That 401(k) or traditional IRA you've filled with your hard-earned money could turn into a tax bomb. Before it blows, see if a Roth could help rescue you.
By Scott Mallernee, CRPC® Published
-
How to Stop Scammers Targeting Your Retirement Savings
Anyone can fall victim to a financial scam, but retirees can be more vulnerable than most, so stay alert to these common tricks that could catch you off guard.
By Adam Powell Published
-
Annuity Fees: Are You Paying Too Much?
Annuity fees include commissions, administrative costs, expense ratios and more. How much is too much and how do you know if you're overpaying?
By Donna Fuscaldo Published
-
Choosing a Trustee? These Six Tips Can Help You Pick Wisely
How can you be sure a trust will be managed properly, without causing a headache for the beneficiaries? The key is choosing the right trustee (and a backup).
By Adam Frank Published
-
Is Your Cryptocurrency Safe? How to Shield Digital Assets
Creditors, hackers and frivolous lawsuit filers could be coming for your cryptocurrencies. These estate planning and asset protection strategies could help.
By Jeffrey M. Verdon, Esq. Published