Does the government shutdown affect Social Security payments to MD residents?

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Hopes to reopen the government Tuesday have dwindled, and with some Social Security Administration offices closed and in-person services limited, beneficiaries may be worried about their Social Security October payments and benefits as the shutdown continues

The Senate won’t vote today, teeing up the second-longest shutdown in U.S. history on Wednesday, surpassing a Bill Clinton-era shutdown, and behind the longest in 2018-2019, under President Donald Trump. With senators at an impasse on a funding deal, hundreds of thousands of federal workers are missing paychecks and families face a loss in SNAP, or food assistance, benefits.

Worried about your Social Security paycheck or if your Social Security office is open for services? Here’s what to know.

Does the government shutdown affect Social Security payments?

You will still receive your Social Security check, despite the government shutdown 2025.

Social security payments, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and benefits for retirement, disability and survivors, continue uninterrupted during government shutdowns. If you receive these services, you can expect to get your Social Security check or direct deposit as usual.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are mandatory spending programs, meaning their budgets are not dependent on yearly congressional approval. However, staffing and some services at Social Security offices could be impacted if they have a discretionary spending component, which means it requires congressional agreement on how money will be spent. This could include processing new Social Security applications.

Will I get my social security payments Oct. 22?

Yes, you can expect to receive your Social Security payment on Oct. 22, as long as you are a Social Security beneficiary born between the 21st and 31st day of your birth month. Benefits, provided to recipients who are older or retired, are typically paid on Wednesdays. Your check comes depending on your birthdate (check the SSA calendar here).

Are Social Security offices open during shutdown 2025?

Social Security offices are still open during the government shutdown, but only some services are available, according to a post by the SSA. Local offices can still provide services including applications for benefits, requests for appeals, changes in address or direct deposit information, reporting a death, verifying or changing citizenship status, replacing a lost Social Security payment and more.

On Tuesday, Oct 21, there were a few Social Security offices closed to in-person services in the US.

In Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg and Reading offices were closed “until further notice,” with assistance only available by phone. In New York, the Social Security office in Corning was only providing phone service until further notice.

Is the Social Security Administration phone number down?

Yes. according to the Social Security Administration’s website, SSA.gov, there are technical issues for beneficiaries trying to call the 1-800-number due to a national outage with the telephone provider, the SSA said as of Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. SSA directs beneficiaries to log into their “my Social Security” account to use their online services.

Is Medicare affected by government shutdown?

During the government shutdown 2025, Medicare, just like Social Security, continues since it is a program that relies on mandatory, and not discretionary, funding sources.

However, new applicants may see major delays in their application process until funding resumes. During the 1996 government shutdown, more than 10,000 Medicare applicants were temporarily turned away every day of the shutdown.

Government shutdown and Social Security benefits

Existing Social Security payments will continue without disruption during a government shutdown, but people who are newly in need of Social Secuity benefits or in the process of applying for benefits may face significant delays.

With fewer employees working to process applications, review qualifications and provide documentations, those seeking to renew or start benefits may have to contend with extended wait times.

How to find a Social Security office near me

To find a Social Security Administration office near you and ensure they are open for in-person appointments, visit the SSA website and find the nearest location by inputting your ZIP code here.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.

Reporting by Lori Comstock. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press.