What the Federal Government Shutdown Means to You
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 1, 2025
Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding beginning October 1, 2025. Until further notice, the federal government is shut down. We know you have questions and will do our best to answer them.
We want you to know that during the federal government shutdown, payments to all people who currently receive Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue with no change in payment dates. You will still receive your payments on time.
To help you manage your benefits and access important services, we encourage you to create an online my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. With a personal my Social Security account, you can view benefit estimates, request a proof of income letter, apply for benefits, request a replacement Social Security card or Medicare card, and much more. It’s easy, convenient, and secure.
Our local offices will remain open to the public but will provide reduced services. During this time, we can help you:
- Apply for benefits
- Request an appeal
- Change your address or direct deposit information
- Report a death
- Verify or change your citizenship status
- Replace a lost or missing Social Security payment
- Obtain a critical payment
- Change a representative payee
- Make a change in your living arrangement or income (SSI recipients only)
- Obtain a new or replacement Social Security card
Hearings offices remain open to conduct hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Please be aware that we may not be able to assist with all in-person service requests at this time. For example, we cannot provide proof of benefits letters, or update or correct earnings records. These in-person services will resume when the federal government is operating normally.
When the shutdown ends, we will post updates on our official social media accounts, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. For more information on the government shutdown, visit www.ssa.gov/agency/shutdown.
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Genevieve D.
My wife has had an issue enrolling using the online system and will need to make an appointment to apply for benefits. Please assist with the appointment.
Judi L.
I called yesterday to to ask questions about the new sign on process that evidently happened a year ago that I was not advised about. Also asked about widow benefits that I was not aware of. Long story short, the person I spoke with was the most demeaning and rude person I have ever spoken with in my life in Customer Service, I wish I would have asked her what her name was. She stated everyone in the world knows that you can collect widow benefits at 60 or 62. I visited Social Security after my husband passed (I was 58) and was told I was too young to collect, however I could collect either his or my Social Security benefits when I was retirement eligible, which was 66 & 10 months. Collecting at 60 or 62, was not even a discussion, I was told in 2017 that since I was fully employed, I was not eligible, she stated that it should have beena discussion. Big error with the person I met with. I also asked for help in trying to set up a new account with Social Security because this has all changed, you need to upload a photo and a driver’s license ID, Etc. She said she could not help me. I do not have a laptop, she advised I would have to get help from a friend, neighbor or family member, I told her I had none. I asked if I could set up an appointment, and she said absolutely not. I said what do disabled, blind, illiterate people do. She said I could request an appointment but it would be several weeks! So I have lost out on 4 years of my husband’s Social Security benefits because your office did not advise me correctly when I was in your office when I was 58, in 2017, was only told that when I became Medicare retirement eligible, I could choose between my benefit or my husband’s, whichever was higher, nothing about early benefits. She actually stated ” The whole country knows you can collect at age 60 or 62″ depending on your income, I replied, I must be a low life, because I did not know this information only because the Social Security Administration did not notify me of this when I was present in their office ! I can only imagine how many widows and widowers you have cheated out of payments for years! Shame on your workers. I came to your office for information, and accepted what you told m as the truth, who was I to question?, it is too bad that your workers are not truthful and we are not given the right information. I feel I should be given back pay to age 62 because of your misinformation, and shall forward this email to the top of your Administration, to the Director, the CEO – everyone!
I feel I am an educated person, have been working since I was 16 without any breaks, I relied on you for the correct information, and relied and believed and was misdirected totally. Also, I demand a response to this Email within a reasonable time from someone higher up that cares and can understand my dilemma, this is so totally wrong in all aspects of Customer Service ! Totally feel disrespected, cheated, unrespected, demeaned, and just failed by your Administration COMPLETELY ON PURPOSE. Shall be taking this higher, and also to Channel 3 On You Side, TV
Becky P.
If I want to drop of paperwork that I have completed instead of mailing it can I still use the local office during the shutdown or should I mail it?
Victoria M.
I recently got married. I have filled out all the necessary information online. Will I be able to go to my local Social Security Office to present the necessary “”proof of identity” documents?
Susan L.
I need to change my payment for medicare part B. My husband and I are paying IRMAA due to the sale of a house in 2023. Income was reduced since on our 2024 taxes.. How do I make sure we will not be paying IRMAA for 2026
Chandraprakash
I want to apply for a new SSN to open an account bank account. Do you accept walk-ins?
Barbara A.
I need my Social Security check to be corrected, but Irs made mistake. Irs corrected my federal income tax for 2023, 2024 but Social Security has not updated and completed the correction on their half and they cut my Social Security check and a half I truly need help that’s all the money I get in one month.
Barbara B.
Can somebody please help me with my Social Security money every month?
Jaquarious M.
Jaquarious Mitchell head day
William W.
If the source of most federal revenue has not stopped, why is the government suspending pay for certain federal employees?
Margie L.
I usually receive my direct deposit on the 28th or 29th and still haven’t. When will i get paid? I need my money to live. Please let me know something
RAINBOW S.
Everyone was paid. Maybe your bank has been doing an early ACH disbursement based on pending payment arrival.
There are no widespread reports of Social Security beneficiaries not receiving their November 2025 payments. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed that benefits are being issued on schedule, even amid the ongoing government shutdown, as these payments are funded through dedicated trust funds and classified as mandatory spending.    
Here’s the November 2025 payment schedule for clarity:
• November 3: For those who began receiving benefits before May 1997, or who receive both Social Security and SSI.
• November 12: Birthdates 1st–10th.
• November 19: Birthdates 11th–20th.
• November 26: Birthdates 21st–31st.
Today is November 3, so the first wave of payments (including for pre-1997 claimants) is due today via direct deposit or check. Electronic payments typically post by morning, but if yours hasn’t appeared yet, wait up to three mailing days (for checks) or contact your bank first, as posting delays can occur. Then reach out to the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 if needed.