If Congress does not pass a funding bill by Friday, the federal government will enter a shutdown, affecting various agencies and services. While Social Security payments will continue as usual, other aspects of the program, including administrative services, could face disruptions.
Why It Matters
A government shutdown can create widespread uncertainty, particularly for those who rely on federal benefits. In 2025, an average of 69 million Americans receive Social Security benefits monthly, including retirees, disabled individuals and survivors of deceased workers.
While benefit payments are safeguarded from shutdown-related interruptions, essential services such as card replacements, benefit verifications and customer support could experience delays due to furloughed staff and reduced operations.
What to Know
Social Security payments will not stop during a government shutdown. This is because the program is categorized as mandatory spending, meaning its funding is independent of annual appropriations from Congress. Benefits are paid from the Social Security trust funds, which continue operating even when other parts of the government shut down.
"Social Security payments to beneficiaries should not be affected–at least they have not been in the past," Loyd Bourgeois, founding attorney at Loyd J. Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer, told Newsweek.
However, administrative functions of the Social Security Administration (SSA) may be significantly impacted. SSA employees could be furloughed, leading to delays in customer service, including processing new applications and addressing benefit disputes, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and a Social Security explainer from Loyd J. Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer. While essential services may continue, such as hearings for pending disability cases, the lack of support staff could cause backlogs.
SSA field offices should remain open but with reduced staff. Those visiting in person may experience extended wait times as fewer employees handle a high volume of requests.
For individuals applying for new Social Security benefits, processing times could slow down. Historically, SSA has continued reviewing new claims during shutdowns, but at a reduced pace due to limited personnel. The severity of these delays depends on the number of furloughed employees and the duration of the shutdown.
What People Are Saying
Loyd Bourgeois, founding attorney at Loyd J. Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer, told Newsweek: "Social Security operations generally are paused for the duration of the shutdown. This does affect processing times, call times and appointments. While hearings may still be held, processing of those hearing decisions are impacted."
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said on its Government shutdown Q&A page: "In prior shutdowns, border protection, in-hospital medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement and power grid maintenance have been among the services classified as essential, while some legislative and judicial staff have also been largely protected. Mandatory spending that is not subject to annual appropriations - such as for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid - also continues."
What Happens Next
If a shutdown occurs, Social Security recipients will still receive their benefits, but those needing assistance from SSA offices should expect delays. If Congress reaches a funding agreement, normal operations will resume. In the meantime, beneficiaries are encouraged to use SSA's online services and plan ahead for potential service disruptions.
Updated 3/11/2025 9:25 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include more clarity in Loyd Bourgeois' comment.
About the writer
Ashley Parks is an Associate Editor at Newsweek based in North Carolina. Her focus is on personal finance, particularly covering ... Read more