How the Government Shutdown Affects Your Social Security Disability Claim

Every time talk of a government shutdown hits the headlines, I start getting the same anxious calls from clients:
“Will my disability check stop coming?”
“Will my appeal hearing be canceled?”
“Does this mean my claim won’t move forward?”

Those are fair questions. A shutdown can sound like everything in Washington grinds to a halt — and when you depend on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), that uncertainty can be stressful.

Here’s the truth about what happens during a shutdown — what continues, what slows down, and what you can do to protect your claim.

Your Payments Will Continue

If you’re already receiving monthly SSDI or SSI benefits, you can breathe a little easier: your payments will not stop.

Social Security benefits come from trust funds that operate on mandatory spending — meaning they’re not tied to Congress’s annual budget process. Even during a government shutdown, the money for those checks is already authorized and continues to flow.

In short: you’ll still get paid on time.

What Does Slow Down: Claims, Appeals, and Hearings
While benefits continue, the machinery behind the Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t run at full speed during a shutdown. Many employees are furloughed, and “non-essential” operations get scaled back.

That means:
- New applications may take longer to review and process.
- Pending appeals could see delays, especially at the reconsideration and hearing stages.
- Hearings before Administrative Law Judges might be postponed or rescheduled.
- Field offices and phone lines will be open, but with fewer staff and longer wait times.

The bottom line: if your case is still working its way through the system, expect slower movement until the shutdown ends.

Why This Happens
It’s important to understand the distinction:
- The benefits themselves are funded by permanent law.
- The people who process claims and hearings are paid from annual appropriations.

When Congress doesn’t pass a budget, SSA keeps essential staff to ensure benefits go out, but many employees who handle the day-to-day work on pending cases are temporarily off duty. The result is a backlog that can take weeks or months to unwind after operations resume.

What You Can Do Right Now
If your claim or appeal is pending, here’s how to stay proactive during the shutdown:

1. Stay calm and informed.
   Your case isn’t lost — it’s just delayed. The system will pick back up once funding is restored.

2. Meet every deadline.
   A shutdown does not pause SSA’s filing deadlines. Make sure all appeals, medical evidence, and forms are submitted on time. Missing a deadline can cost you your case.

3. Keep your case complete.
   Submit all medical records, updated contact information, and any new evidence. During periods of limited staffing, complete files are more likely to move forward without extra delay.

4. Use online tools.
   SSA’s website remains open. You can check your claim status, upload documents, or verify information without waiting on hold.

5. Stay in touch with your attorney.
   Your attorney representative can track the progress of your claim, follow up with the agency when possible, and ensure your file stays current.

What to Expect After the Shutdown Ends
Even once government funding is restored, it takes time for SSA to catch up. Thousands of cases build up during a shutdown, and when employees return, they’re faced with an enormous backlog.

That means processing times — especially for hearings and appeals — can remain slow for several months. It’s frustrating, but it’s not permanent. Staying patient and organized helps your case stay near the front of the line once operations resume.

Final Thoughts
A government shutdown doesn’t stop Social Security payments, but it does create real delays for people waiting on disability decisions.

If you’re already receiving benefits, you can rest assured your payments will continue. If you’re still waiting for a decision, the best thing you can do is stay proactive — keep your file updated, meet your deadlines, and communicate regularly with your representative.

Our office will continue monitoring SSA operations closely and helping clients navigate these slowdowns. If you have questions about your specific case, or if you’re concerned about how a shutdown might affect your pending appeal, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to make sure your rights — and your benefits — are protected.