HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFFECT YOU?

HOW THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN MAY AFFECT YOU

 

Update as of October 10, 2025: We’re now past the five-day mark of the federal government shutdown and continue to monitor changes closely. This post has been updated to reflect the latest impacts to SSA procedures and Medicaid assistance.

 

 

While a federal government shutdown can disrupt some services, many essential programs will continue to operate. Here’s a breakdown of what remains active and what may be affected.

✅ What Remains Operational During a Shutdown

Public Safety & Health Services
  • Emergency medical care
  • Inpatient hospital services
  • Air traffic control
  • Border security
  • Power grid maintenance

 

Mail Delivery
  • USPS will continue normal operations.
Government Benefits
  • Social Security
  • SNAP (Food Stamps)
  • WIC
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits

⚠️ Note: Some services, such as application processing, may experience delays.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AFFECTS ON BENEFITS

⚠️ Program-Specific Impacts

Medicare
  • Replacement card requests will not be processed.
  • Part C and Part D replacement cards are available through private insurers.
  • Payments for services will continue.
Medicaid
  • Coverage and payments remain active.
  • Application processing may be delayed.
OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities)
  • Services and payments for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities are unaffected.
  • New applications will continue to be processed.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
  • Benefits and application processing will continue through October 2025.
  • For updates beyond October, visit otda.ny.gov.

🆕 Social Security Administration (SSA)

  • SSI and Social Security payments continue.
  • Field offices remain open.
  • New Update (Post 5-Day Mark):
    • Medical and work reviews are paused.
    • Non-medical reviews (SSI redeterminations) are also paused.
    • Medical appeals, including Continuing Disability Review (CDR) reconsiderations, are still being processed.
State Supplement Program (SSP)
  • Payments will continue.
  • Changes and new applications processed through SSA will be paused.
Veterans Administration (VA)
  • Payments and Tricare coverage remain unaffected.
  • VA offices may operate with limited services.