As the federal government shutdown enters its second week, several agencies are feeling the strain — including the Social Security Administration (SSA). While payments are still being made, many of the agency’s regular services are running with limited staff and slower response times.

The good news? Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are continuing on schedule. These benefits are funded through mandatory spending, meaning they don’t rely on annual budget approval from Congress. So even with the shutdown, retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors will still receive their checks.

However, the SSA’s daily operations are facing disruptions. Thousands of employees have been furloughed, leaving fewer workers to process requests and handle public inquiries. While local SSA offices remain open, they’re only offering essential services like accepting benefit applications, changing addresses or direct deposits, and issuing replacement Social Security cards.

Some services, such as replacing Medicare cards or providing proof of income letters, are temporarily unavailable until the government reopens.

Another major concern is the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Normally, the SSA announces the COLA in mid-October, but with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also affected by the shutdown, the inflation data needed to calculate the adjustment has been delayed. The September inflation report — key to determining next year’s benefits — is now expected on Oct. 24, assuming the shutdown doesn’t stretch further.

For now, Social Security recipients can rest assured that their payments will keep arriving, even if some paperwork takes a little longer than usual.