As of October 1, 2025, Congress has not reached an agreement on federal funding, leading to a temporary government shutdown. We understand that this situation may raise questions and concerns.
Please know that we remain committed to keeping you informed and ensuring that vital programs like Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) continue uninterrupted.
Your Payments Will Continue on Schedule
If you currently receive Social Security benefits or SSI payments, you can rest assured—your payments will not be affected by the shutdown.
There will be no change to your payment dates, and you will continue receiving your benefits on time and in full. Essential payment systems remain active, ensuring no disruption to your monthly income.
Accessing Your Benefits Online
To help you manage your benefits easily during this period, we encourage you to create a my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. This secure and convenient portal allows you to access a wide range of services online, even if in-person services are limited due to the shutdown.
What You Can Do with a my Social Security Account
Once you create your personal account, you can:
- View and download your benefit estimates
- Request a proof of income letter
- Apply for benefits online
- Request a replacement Social Security or Medicare card
- Manage your direct deposit information
- And much more—all without visiting a local office
This digital access ensures that you can stay informed and manage your benefits from the comfort of your home, safely and efficiently.
Local Offices Remain Open with Limited Services
Our local Social Security offices will remain open to the public during the shutdown but will operate with reduced services. While many essential operations continue, certain non-critical services may be temporarily unavailable.
We appreciate your patience as we prioritize critical functions and ensure the safety of our staff and the public.
Services Still Available In Person
Even with limited staffing, our team can still assist you with several important needs. You may visit or contact your local Social Security office to:
- Apply for new or additional benefits
- Request an appeal of a previous decision
- Change your address or update direct deposit details
- Report a death to update records
- Verify or change citizenship status
- Replace a lost payment or obtain a critical payment
- Change a representative payee
- For SSI recipients, update your living arrangements or income
- Request a new or replacement Social Security card
These services remain active because they directly affect beneficiaries’ access to payments or legal rights.
What Services Are Temporarily Unavailable
While our staff continues to assist with critical needs, certain non-essential services will be paused during the shutdown. At this time, we are unable to:
- Provide proof of benefits letters in person
- Update or correct earnings records
- Handle certain administrative requests that do not affect immediate payments or eligibility
These services will resume once normal government operations are restored. In the meantime, we encourage you to use your online account for available digital services and updates.
Hearings Offices Will Continue Operating
Our hearing offices remain open, and Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) will continue conducting hearings as scheduled. If you have an upcoming hearing, please attend as planned unless you are notified otherwise.
However, please note that support services may be more limited, and response times may be slower than usual.
How to Stay Updated During the Shutdown
We encourage you to regularly check our official website, www.ssa.gov, for updates regarding office operations, available services, and any changes to benefit processing. You can also follow @SocialSecurity on social media for timely information and public announcements.
Protecting Access to Essential Services
Our top priority is to ensure that all beneficiaries continue to receive their payments and critical services without interruption.
We are working diligently to minimize the impact of the government shutdown on the people we serve. Your patience and understanding are deeply appreciated as we navigate this period together.
We’re Here to Support You
Despite the challenges of the shutdown, our commitment to serving the public remains strong. We know how important Social Security and SSI benefits are to millions of Americans, and we will continue doing everything possible to protect your access to these programs.
If you have questions, please contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. Our representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., to provide assistance and guidance.
Share This Information
If you know someone who receives Social Security or SSI benefits, please share this message with them. Many people may be worried about their payments or access to services during the shutdown, and your help spreading accurate information can make a real difference.
FAQs
Will I still receive my Social Security or SSI payments during the government shutdown?
Yes. Payments for all Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will continue on schedule, with no changes to payment dates. The systems that issue payments remain fully operational during the government shutdown.
Are Social Security offices open during the government shutdown?
Yes. Local Social Security offices remain open to the public, but they are providing limited services. You can still apply for benefits, request appeals, replace lost payments, or update direct deposit information, but some non-critical services will be temporarily unavailable.
What Social Security services are unavailable during the shutdown?
During the shutdown, Social Security offices cannot provide proof of benefits letters, update or correct earnings records, or process certain administrative requests. These services will resume once the federal government is fully funded and operational.
Can I still manage my benefits online?
Yes. You can access your account anytime at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Through your personal my Social Security account, you can view benefit estimates, apply for benefits, request a replacement Social Security or Medicare card, and manage your direct deposit information.
Are Social Security hearings still being held?
Yes. Hearings before Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are continuing as scheduled. However, due to limited staffing, there may be delays in processing and fewer in-person support services available during this period.
