What Social Security recipients should know about payments during the government shutdown

The federal government shut down on October 1, after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement. If you’re one of the 74.5 million Americans receiving Social Security, you may be wondering how the shutdown will affect your benefits.

Fortunately, the U.S. Social Security Administration has stated that anyone currently receiving benefits will continue to receive their payments on time. The agency’s local offices will also remain open but with reduced services. Let’s consider some of the thing’s you need to know about receiving your benefits during the shutdown.

Are Social Security payments affected by the government shutdown?

Anyone currently receiving Social Security benefits will continue to receive their payments on time. Social Security payments are considered mandatory spending, so they don’t require an annual vote by Congress and are protected from government shutdowns.

So if you receive Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your payments will continue with no disruptions. It’s worth noting that the program has never missed a payment since it began in 1935.

How Social Security services will be impacted during the shutdown

Although payments will continue uninterrupted during the shutdown, other Social Security services could be impacted. In addition to processing and issuing payments, the agency will provide essential services such as benefits application review, appeal requests and personal information updates.

The following services, however, will be discontinued:

Roughly 90% of Social Security Administration employees will continue working during the shutdown, but approximately 6,200 will be furloughed. These staffing shortages could result in slower service delivery and reduced hours. Most services will be fully available online, however, so logging on could be an easier option than trying to visit your local Social Security Administration office in person during the shutdown.

Social Security payment schedule for October, November and December 2025

You can check your upcoming Social Security payments by logging into your online Social Security Administration accountOpens overlay. The date you’ll receive your payments depends on your birthdate and the type of benefits you receive.

If you receive only Social Security benefits, here’s an overview of the payment schedule for October, November and December 2025:

If you receive SSI payments, you’ll receive two payments in October, none in November and another two in December. These payments will be distributed on Oct. 1, Oct. 31, Dec. 1 and Dec. 31. If you began receiving Social Security before May 1997, or if you receive both Social Security and SSI, your Social Security is paid on the third of the month, and your SSI is paid on the first.

What to do if your payments are delayed

If your Social Security payment is delayed for some reason, the Social Security Administration recommends waiting three business days before contacting the agency. In the meantime, you can check your online account to ensure your personal and banking information is correct. After that, you can find your local office and either call or visit in person. You can also call the toll-free national number at 1-800-772-1213.

How will the 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) be affected by the shutdown?

While the shutdown won’t stop Social Security payments, it could delay the government announcement of the 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is scheduled to release its September inflation report on Oct. 15, but a delay of the BLS report could easily push back the 2026 Social Security COLA announcement. For reference, the 2025 COLA was 2.5%.

Tips for Social Security beneficiaries during the shutdown

Government shutdowns are unnerving, especially if you rely on benefits such as Social Security. The best thing you can do during this time is stay informed, and the Social Security Administration is encouraging all Social Security recipients to sign up for a free “my Social Security” account to manage their benefits.

With a “my Social Security” account, you can set up or change your direct deposit, submit documents and request a replacement Social Security card. If you need help setting up your account, you can call the agency, but you should expect reduced hours and longer-than-normal wait times during the shutdown.

You can also follow the Social Security Administration’s website and official social media channels for updates on the shutdown.

The bottom line

It’s unclear how long the government shutdown will last, but the good news is that your Social Security payments won’t be affected. Furloughed employees and reduced hours at local offices, however, may lead to slower service and longer wait times. Plus, if the BLS can’t release its September inflation data on schedule, the 2026 COLA announcement could be delayed.

If you haven’t already, set up an online my Social Security account so you can manage your benefits. You can also check the Social Security Administration’s website and social media channels for shutdown updates.

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