Overview

• Benefit and SSI payments continue on schedule because Social Security is funded through mandatory spending.
• Nearly 90% of SSA staff remain on duty while about 6,200 employees are furloughed, and the agency may reassess excepted staffing if the lapse extends beyond five days.
• Local offices stay open for core needs such as applications, appeals, hearings, account changes, replacement Social Security cards, and emergency payments, with My Social Security urged for access.
• Some services are paused, including benefit verifications, earnings record updates or corrections, overpayment processing, and replacement Medicare cards.
• The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment announcement could be delayed if the Oct. 15 CPI report is held up, the Labor Department says.