The federal government’s shutdown this weekend would result in millions of government workers not getting paid. While the work at many publicly sponsored agencies will slow down or close entirely. Social Security payments would still be made, though. Since it is a mandated program, Social Security is not financed by the shorter-term continuing-resolution bills that have kept the government running in the face of political impasse in Washington in recent years.
Even when the federal government shut down in 1995 and 2013, all the Social Security payments were distributed. The Social Security benefits are measured as a compulsory payment. As it is provided from the program’s trusted fund, and so it continues disbursing benefits to eligible individuals. Around 72.8 million people get Social Security benefits every month. It is majorly provided to retirees, people with a disability, and also to the deceased recipient’s dependents.
Effect of Government Shutdown on Social Security checks?
A government shutdown is going to affect millions of federal employees approximately 2 million military members and civilian employees nationwide not receiving their paychecks on time. If an agreement cannot be reached, lawmakers will have to lay off millions of their constituents as the holidays approach.
The Departments of VA, Homeland Security, & Defense employ over 60 percent of all federal employees. TSA officers, Postal Service personnel, and National Park Service employees are among the federal employees who are stationed in all 50 states and deal directly with taxpayers. Despite working without compensation during previous shutdowns, TSA employees remained on the job and kept airports open.
During a shutdown, certain federal offices need to close or have their hours reduced. A shutdown can have a substantial effect on government services in addition to federal employees. Delays may occur for those requesting services including gun licenses, clinical trials, and passports.
Disruptions and downturns may be experienced by companies that have a close relationship with the federal government, such as federal contractors or tourism services in national parks. The US Tourism Industry Association estimates that closure could cost the tourism industry $140 million a day.
Social Security Checks 2025-Overview
| Article On | Will a government shutdown affect Social Security checks? |
| Department | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| Country | United States of America |
| Year | 2025 |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible recipient of social security payment |
| Category | Finance |
| Official Website | ssa.gov |
What is a government shutdown?
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to permit some kind of funding regulation, which needs to be signed by the president into law. To fund the agencies all across the government, lawmakers are needed to give twelve other spending statements. This procedure is time-consuming. They often resort to passing a provisional extension known as continuing resolution, to permit the administration to keep working.
If no funding legislation is passed, federal agencies must cease all unnecessary activity and will not pay employees for the duration of the shutdown. There is a furlough for some government employees, but those considered essential, including police enforcement and air traffic controllers, must still report to work.
Impact of Government Shutdown
The shutdown can impact many government procedures. Nonessential agencies who cannot self-fund via fee collection or other such revenue might be required to leave or have to give unpaid leaves to their staff. The government shutdown can be seen by most of the public in the lessening of services they might get or anticipate.
Possibly the most visual of these closings is the shutting down of national mountains and parks. The real impact of a government closure is extensive. It might be impossible or will take longer to process new loans for homes, education, and business. The Social Security benefit new application and unemployment insurance processing will also get slower.
There are many other impacts of this shutdown. It includes the interruption of the US Department of Agriculture’s inspection of a few food products. The CPSC might be prohibited from evoking unsafe products. Along with that the travelers might not be able to get new passports, provided by the US Department of State. Also, the CDC and Prevention might not be capable of tracking and classifying illness outbreaks.
If the government shutdown stays in place long enough, more agencies may get closed or services will reduce, that they give out to the public completely. Eventually, a larger part of the inhabitant will start to see the straight impact of it.
Which federal programs can’t be shut down?
The SSA will continue to deliver retirement and disability benefits, and payments under the Medicare and Medicaid programs will continue to be made. New applications, however, might not be processed.
In 1996, hundreds of Medicare applicants were denied every day during a government shutdown. Additionally, there may be some interruptions in the way benefits are distributed through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Stores were not allowed to renew their EBT card licenses during the 2018–19 government shutdown, which stopped them from accepting SNAP benefits if their licenses expired at that time. Additionally, the Agriculture Department was only allowed to pay out food stamp payments for thirty days following the start of the shutdown.
How long could a Government Shutdown last?
Government funding is going to expire on December 21, 2024. So, there are chances that a government shutdown will start at 12:01 a.m. if Congress does not pass a funding plan signed by the President.
The Congress was meant to fund the government before October 1st but due to the representatives having rising regularity, Congress could only get a 3-month funding deal. It was passed in September 2024. It seems like the lawmakers are not likely to provide funds to the government throughout the rest of the financial year. So, in its place congressional leaders are focusing on additional short-term funding agreements. As of now, it is quite difficult to guess how much the Shutdown is going to last.
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