More than 74 million Social Security beneficiaries will still receive their payments amid a federal government shutdown.
But while the agencys local offices are slated to stay open, certain services may not be available.
According to a statement from the agency, the Social Security Administration will continue to do business as planned by following a backup plan.
“Social Security beneficiaries will continue receiving their Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance and [Supplemental Security Income] payments,” the spokesperson said.
In a Sept. 24 contingency plan, the Social Security Administration outlined the services that would and would not be available in the event of a government shutdown.
Because the government has been shut down since October 1, 2025, many Americans are wondering what’s going on with their Social Security benefits. You have good reason to be worried if you are one of the 74 million recipients. Let’s get straight to the point and talk about what’s going on with Social Security right now.
The Good News First: Your Checks Will Continue
The most important thing to know Social Security recipients will continue receiving their monthly benefit checks despite the government shutdown
Why? Because Social Security benefits fall under mandatory spending which means Congress has already approved this funding without an expiration date. The Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed this in their statement to CBS News “Social Security beneficiaries would continue receiving their Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, and SSI payments.”
The head of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security, Max Richtman, said “.
October Payment Schedule Remains Unchanged
If you’re wondering when your next check is coming, here’s the payment schedule for October:
- October 1st: SSI recipients received their payments
- October 8th: Social Security recipients born between the 1st-10th of the month
- October 15th: Recipients born between the 11th-20th of the month
- October 22nd: Recipients born between the 21st-31st of the month
But There Are Some Disruptions You Should Know About
While your benefits will continue, some Social Security services are being affected by the shutdown
Services That Will Be Halted During the Shutdown:
- Benefit verifications
- Earnings record corrections and updates (unless related to benefit payments)
- Payee accountings
- Prisoner activities – suspension
- Third-party queries
- Freedom of Information Act requests
- IT enhancements and training
- Replacement Medicare cards
- Overpayments processing
The SSA’s contingency plan shows that about 45,000 employees (nearly 90% of its workforce) will continue working during the shutdown, while around 6,200 workers are furloughed.
Possible Delay in Cost-of-Living Adjustment Announcement
Every October, the SSA announces the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year’s benefits. This is super important because it helps your benefits keep pace with inflation.
The COLA announcement, typically scheduled for October 15th when the Labor Department releases Consumer Price Index data, might be delayed because of the shutdown. The Labor Department warned in its contingency plan that “A delay of the CPI release during October of each year might have an impact on the Cost of Living Adjustment announcement by the Social Security Administration.”
Beyond the Shutdown: The Social Security Fairness Act
While the shutdown is grabbing headlines, there’s actually some really good news for certain Social Security recipients that’s flying under the radar.
The SSA recently announced they’re beginning to pay retroactive benefits and increasing monthly payments to over 3.2 million people affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
These rules cut or got rid of benefits for people who got pensions from jobs that weren’t covered by Social Security. This included a lot of teachers, firefighters, police officers, and some federal workers.
The SSA’s newsletter says that most of the people who are affected will get their one-time payment for back taxes by the end of March. Starting with April payments, the new monthly payment amount will be used.
Protecting Yourself from Social Security Scams
With all the confusion around the shutdown and benefit changes, scammers are likely to take advantage. The SSA designated March 6th as National “Slam the Scam” Day to raise awareness about government imposter scams.
If you receive suspicious calls claiming to be from Social Security, be extremely cautious. You can report potential scams to the Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
Online Services Still Available Through My Social Security
Even during the shutdown, you can still access many services online through your My Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. These include:
- Getting a replacement Social Security Benefit Statement (SSA-1099/SSA-1042S) for tax purposes
- Checking your benefit and payment information
- Requesting a replacement Social Security card in many states
- Setting up or changing direct deposit
What Experts Are Saying About Social Security’s Future
Wayne Winegarden, senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute, told CBS News, “If you’re a Social Security recipient, you’re going to get your check, and that’s obviously a good thing.”
However, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare warns that customer service disruptions could become problematic the longer a shutdown lasts.
My Take on the Situation
As someone who follows these issues closely, I’m relieved that Social Security payments won’t be interrupted – that would have been catastrophic for millions of Americans who depend on those checks for basic necessities.
But I’m concerned about the customer service disruptions. People who need help with their benefits might struggle to get assistance during the shutdown. And if you’re applying for Social Security benefits right now, you might experience delays in processing.
It’s also frustrating that the COLA announcement might be delayed. With inflation still affecting everyday expenses, seniors and disabled Americans need to know how much their benefits will increase in 2026 so they can plan accordingly.
What Should You Do Right Now?
- Don’t panic about your payments. They will continue on schedule.
- Avoid calling Social Security offices about routine matters during the shutdown.
- Be patient if you’re waiting for a service that’s temporarily suspended.
- Watch out for scammers trying to take advantage of the situation.
- Use your online My Social Security account for self-service options when possible.
- If you’re affected by the WEP/GPO changes, wait until April before contacting Social Security about your benefit amount.
Important Resources to Bookmark
- Social Security Administration website: ssa.gov
- Social Security Fairness Act information: ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html
- Scam protection information: ssa.gov/scam
- Create or access your account: ssa.gov/myaccount
Final Thoughts
The current situation with Social Security is a mixed bag. Your benefits will continue during the shutdown, which is the most critical point. But some services will be limited until the government reopens.
The bigger picture for Social Security includes positive developments like the Fairness Act changes, which will benefit millions of retirees who had been penalized by the WEP and GPO provisions.
I’ll be keeping a close eye on developments and will update this information as the situation evolves. The most important thing to remember is that your benefits are secure, even if some services are temporarily disrupted.
Social Security COLA may be delayed
A government shutdown could delay the release of key economic data.
New consumer price index data is scheduled to be released on Oct. 15. The Social Security Administration is expected to announce the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment this month based on that data.
If the CPI data release is delayed, that may have an impact on when the Social Security COLA is announced, according to the Department of Labor.
More than 74 million beneficiaries may see an increase in their monthly payments next year, based on the annual inflation adjustment. Estimates released in September pointed to a 2. 7% to 2. 8% benefit boost for 2026, which would push the average retirement benefit up by about $54 per month.
Social Security services during the shutdown
Local offices will remain open, but services will be reduced, according to the Social Security Administration.
According to the agency, consumers can still:
- apply for benefits
- request an appeal
- change address or direct deposit information
- report a death
- verify or change citizenship status
- replace a lost or missing Social Security payment
- obtain an expedited payment in an emergency
- change a representative payee,
- obtain a new or replacement Social Security card
SSI beneficiaries will still be able to make changes to their living arrangements or income.
Offices will be open for hearings before administrative law judges.
However, certain in-person services will not be available, according to SSA, including:
- proof of income letters
- updates or corrections to earnings records
- overpayment processing
It also will not be possible to replace Medicare cards, the agency said.
To access benefit information and services, SSA is urging individuals to log on to their online My Social Security accounts.
New Social Security Changes Happening NOW
FAQ
What is the upcoming problem with Social Security?
… no longer be able to make all of its promised benefit payments by 2034, and future deficits between scheduled payroll tax revenue and program expenditures …Jun 18, 2025.
What is going on with Social Security payments?
Social Security payments will increase by a 2. 5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2025, with increased payments beginning in January 2025 for beneficiaries and December 2024 for SSI recipients. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer accept paper checks after September 30, 2025. Instead, they will only accept electronic payments. This is to make things run more smoothly and safely.
What is the major change coming to your Social Security checks?
The most significant recent update is the upcoming discontinuation of paper Social Security checks, with all payments transitioning to electronic funds transfer (EFT) by September 30, 2025. Beneficiaries still receiving paper checks must arrange to receive their payments electronically by this deadline to avoid disruption. Additionally, the 2025 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is 2. 5%, which will be reflected in checks starting in January 2025.
Are there changes coming to Social Security in 2025?
Yes, there were several changes to Social Security for 2025, including a 2. 5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to benefits, a higher maximum taxable earnings amount of $176,100, and an increase to the Medicare Part B premium.
What’s going on with social security?
Here’s what’s going on. Few government programs impact as many people as Social Security. In July, more than 70 million Americans got a Social Security check, and that number keeps going up every month. Big changes need to be made to Social Security right away, but the program is always going through small changes.
What will happen to Social Security benefits?
Here’s what could happen to future benefits As Social Security marks the 90th anniversary of the program’s creation, the benefits millions of Americans receive may be poised to change. The trust funds the program relies on to help pay benefits face a shortfall in the next decade, which may prompt tax increases, benefit cuts or other changes.
What happens to social security after a shutdown?
Social Security benefits, considered mandatory under law, continue regardless of a shutdown, so recipients can expect to continue receiving their payments. However, the Social Security Administration could face a furloughed workforce. Fewer workers could mean that processing new Social Security applications could be delayed.
What upcoming changes to social security will surprise retirees?
Here are five upcoming changes to Social Security that may surprise retirees. 1. No more paper checks President Trump signed an executive order in March ending the issuance of paper checks by the federal government.
How does social security work?
The main funding source of Social Security comes from payroll taxes on working Americans. For most workers, they pay 6.2% of their earnings to Social Security with their employer matching their contribution. But high earners will only pay Social Security taxes on a portion of their earnings.
What social security services will be put on hold?
Still, some of the Social Security Administration’s more general services will be put on hold. They include benefit verification, benefit updates that are unrelated to the adjudication of benefits, corrections to an earnings record and the replacement of Medicare cards, according to the agency’s letter explaining its contingency plans.