When the federal government “shuts down,” it means Congress has not passed a budget or temporary funding plan. Without this funding, many government offices and programs cannot keep running normally. Some services stop or slow down, while others keep going because they are considered essential or are funded in a different way.
For people with disabilities, this can be confusing and stressful. The good news is that important benefits like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will continue. But other services, like processing new applications, customer service at government offices, or certain programs that depend on yearly funding, may be delayed or paused until the shutdown ends.
Services for People with Disabilities That will Continue During the Shutdown
These programs are considered mandatory or essential, so payments and coverage usually continue during a shutdown:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) / Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — benefits generally continue without interruption.
- Medicare and Medicaid — existing coverage is maintained, though some administrative tasks may slow.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — October benefits are expected to be issued; continuation beyond that depends on the shutdown’s duration.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits — will continue to be paid, and VA centers and clinics will remain open.
- HealthCare.gov / ACA marketplace operations — eligibility and enrollments continue, though outreach and support staff may be reduced.
- Disability civil rights protections — core enforcement is intended to continue, although investigations and administrative work may slow or be delayed.
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — grant funding will continue.
- Federal housing assistance programs — will continue for the time being but may be delayed if the government shutdown lasts many weeks.
Services or Activities That May Be Disrupted, Delayed or Halted
These services depend on annual funding or discretionary staff, so they are more vulnerable:
- Casework, appeals, or application processing (for disability programs) may slow or pause.
- New grant programs, new contracts, or new discretionary funding (e.g. for support services, research, pilot programs) may be put on hold.
- Office services and in-person customer assistance (SSA offices, regional offices) may be closed or have reduced staffing.
- Health department, oversight, guidance, research, and enforcement activities (HHS, CDC, NIH) may be curtailed.
- Nutrition programs like WIC may quickly run out of funds and be disrupted if the shutdown continues long.
- New housing assistance, new mortgage guarantees, new applications under HUD or USDA programs may pause.
- Programs for veterans may be shut down, including assistance to homeless veterans at regional offices.
While there is nothing we or you can do to change anything during the shutdown, our hope is that it will not last long and services will continue soon. Disability Rights Florida will remain open during this time.