Fixed monthly income is a necessity for many people who depend on it to cover their basic needs. Imagine now that a rumour spreads that the Government wants to end it. How can you not worry? If your whole life depends on it…
It is estimated that one in five Americans (over 65) depends on Social Security for their income, this is because they are enrolled in the retirement program (or for people with disabilities). And even though Congress is debating similar issues, these benefits are protected because they do not belong to the same economic allocation as the budgets that are being debated now, and, even if Congress fails, these checks would not stop being sent. Breathe easy and relax! We are going to tell you everything that is happening these days.
What if the Social Security Administration closes? What happens to payments?
A government shutdown is not something to be calm about, but when it happens, the White House asks federal agencies for a contingency plan so that Social Security beneficiaries can rest assured that they will continue receiving their money. According to Chad Poist, a deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), these contingency plans ensure the continuity of the checks, so first things first and Social Security payments will not stop. There are legal precedents from previous shutdowns that reinforce that these payments cannot be stopped under any circumstances (something that in other areas could not be ensured in such a way).
What payments could be affected by this shutdown?
We have already seen that these payments are guaranteed, and it is essential for the government that they are never interrupted. However, there are other services that could suffer some interruptions, this is because there are more than 8,000 SSA employees who would be temporarily suspended without pay if this shutdown were to occur. So, logically, this fact will limit the agency’s ability to handle some requests.
During the shutdown, the services that will be limited will be, first, the replacement of Medicare cards, and if you need a new Medicare card, you will most likely face very long delays (since this service is not considered primary or essential during a shutdown). On the other hand, the processing of requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) may also be suspended, which could prevent access to these important documents. Finally, the resolution of erroneous payments, because if you have received an incorrect payment or are pending resolution of a discrepancy with the administration, you will have to wait for the closing to be over so that your case can be attended to as it deserves.
Is there anything that won’t change from now on?
Of course, the essentials will continue to operate as we know them. SSA will prioritize issuing the correct payments so that beneficiaries will not notice interruptions in their income and can continue their lives as normal.
How can we prepare for this?
If you think you will need any essential services from SSA, it is best to do so before a shutdown is declared, so stay tuned for official updates from SSA to find out which services will be available and which will not.
Remember that, although this may seem very alarming, you must be clear that Social Security payments will be assured since the administration knows that the economic situation of millions of beneficiaries in the United States depends on them. So, although it is possible that some services will be affected, they are fully aware that the fundamental priorities continue to be the people who need them the most.