The federal government is currently shut down due to a spending impasse in Congress over extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and restoring Medicaid cuts in H.R.1, the reconciliation bill passed in July. It is unclear how long the shutdown will last.  The shutdown halts many of the federal government’s “nonessential” functions, but your benefits under entitlement programs such as Medicaid and Medicare continue.

According to communications from the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) sent to patient advocates (10/1/25), 1-800-MEDICARE will continue to operate as usual. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) should be able to continue their regular program activities but designated HHS staff will not be able to assist with SHIP-related activities, questions or provide technical assistance. CMS was able to update the Medicare Plan Finder with 2026 plan information prior to the shutdown. (As of today, though, the www.medicare.gov website includes the following disclaimer:  “Due to the government shutdown, updates to information on this website may be limited or delayed. Your Medicare benefits and coverage will continue as before, and you can go to your doctor and access the health care services you need.”)

According to communications from the Social Security Administration (SSA) sent to various stakeholders (10/1/25), payments to all people who currently receive Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue with no change in payment dates. Local offices will remain open to the public but will provide reduced services. During this time, you can still:

  • Apply for benefits
  • Request an appeal
  • Change address or direct deposit information
  • Report a death
  • Verify or change citizenship status
  • Replace a lost or missing Social Security payment
  • Obtain a critical payment
  • Change a representative payee
  • Make a change in your living arrangement or income (SSI recipients only)
  • Obtain a new or replacement Social Security card

The communication from SSA also states that “Hearings offices remain open to conduct hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). 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.”*

Funding for federal food assistance is set to expire on November 1. There are more than 40 million Americans, including many of our members, who benefit from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). We recognize that the days ahead may be difficult, and encourage you to reach out to your local food bank, which you can find by visiting FeedingAmerica.org and entering your zip code. You can also call 2-1-1 to find out what other resources may be available for you in your community, or you can find links to state agencies responsible for SNAP benefits here. We also suggest contacting your local faith-based and community organizations that serve vulnerable individuals. We are monitoring the situation closely and urge lawmakers to come together to reopen the government.

*Adapted from Center for Medicare Advocacy fact sheet by permission.