It is looking increasingly likely that our government won’t be able to overcome the present gridlock and will be heading for a shutdown on Saturday night. This means that until a resolution is arrived at government services are going to restricted at best.
The good news is that there is going to be no effect on SSI and SSDI checks. They will be issued on time as always, no matter how long the impasse lasts. If you have any business you would like to conduct with Social Security you might not be as lucky, although SSA have stated that new and replacement Social Security cards will still be issued.
There is also speculation that the announcement of the 2024 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) may be delayed by the shutdown, although, on positive side, there’s no expectation that the COLA won’t be in place by the new year.
Medicare and Medicaid services won’t be affected, so there’s no issue in continuing to be able to see your doctor. Again, as with Social Security, there might be some delay in dealing with any questions; getting a replacement Medicare card is out of the question, however.
VA benefits fall into the same unaffected category as SSDI and SSI, so there’s no concern there.
Food stamps aren’t expected to be immediately affected either, but there is consternation about what will happen to them if the standoff persists for several weeks. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) appears to have little in reserve and is expected to be adversely affected almost as soon as the shutdown begins.