How is the government shutdown affecting Social Security payments and services?
Social Security payments to more than 74 million Americans will stay on schedule during the government shutdown, a spokesperson for the Social Security Administration told ABC News.
"In the event of a lapse in appropriation, SSA will follow the contingency plan for continued activities, and Social Security beneficiaries would continue receiving their Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, and SSI payments," the spokesperson said Wednesday.
Unlike many other programs determined by the spending bills in Congress each year -- funding for Social Security is mandatory by law.
A page on the federal agency's website confirms there will be "no change in payment dates," adding "you will still receive your payments on time." The website also says local offices will remain open to the public, but could provide "reduced services."
"Please be aware that we may not be able to assist with all in-person service requests at this time. For example, we cannot provide proof of benefits letters, or update or correct earnings records. These in-person services will resume when the federal government is operating normally," the website says.
The Social Security says that applying for benefits, requesting an appeal, changing personal information, replacing cards and lost payments, verifying citizenship and more are still available.
Ahead of the government shutdown on Tuesday, the agency released a contingency plan on Sept. 24 that said it expects to furlough 6,197 of its 51,825 employees (about 12% of its workforce). The plan notes that if the shutdown lasts longer than five days, it might increase the number of employees who are deemed essential to work.
The plan states that during the shutdown, several services will be halted, including benefit verifications, earning record corrections, payee accountings, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, replacement Medicare cards and overpayments processing.
The agency also says on its website that representatives may not be able to assist with all in-person service requests during the shutdown.
