Impending Government Shutdown Threatens Social Security Payments and Veterans

If the federal government shuts down, Social Security checks will still be distributed as the program is considered mandatory and not funded by shorter-term appropriations bills. Medicare and Veterans Affairs benefits will also continue. However, numerous publicly funded agencies will stop work, resulting in unpaid employees and halted services. A government shutdown could have negative economic consequences, with the longest shutdown in history estimated to have cost the U.S. economy at least $11 billion. Additionally, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may stop operating during a shutdown, affecting low-income pregnant women and young children.