Government shutdown could disrupt key services for older Americans

"Still, seniors would likely encounter disruptions. While Social Security checks would continue, services at the Social Security Administration (SSA) such as issuing new cards, processing benefit applications and handling overpayment cases would be limited or halted. Medicare, Medicaid, and disability beneficiaries would continue to receive benefits, but a shutdown can cause administrative delays and longer call wait times for certain services."

"A government shutdown would jeopardize critical services that seniors rely on, from Social Security offices and Medicare assistance to veterans' benefits and health programs, said Andy Mangione, senior vice president of Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), in a statement. The confusion, backlogs, and service disruptions that accompany a shutdown create needless anxiety and hardship for older Americans living on fixed incomes."

"Economists note the broader economic fallout from shutdowns is typically modest. Bank of America Global Research estimates a full shutdown starting Oct. 1 would shave about 0.1 percentage point off gross domestic product growth per week, though that drag is usually reversed in future quarters. Since 1977, there have been 20 shutdowns, seven of which lasted longer than the eight-day average."

Many senior-facing federal services would be limited or halted during a government shutdown, though Social Security checks and Medicare, Medicaid and disability benefits would continue. Services at the Social Security Administration, including issuing new cards, processing benefit applications and handling overpayment cases, could face interruptions and longer call wait times. A shutdown would jeopardize Social Security offices, Medicare assistance, veterans' benefits and health programs, producing confusion, backlogs and hardship for older Americans on fixed incomes. AMAC urged Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution. Economists predict a modest short-term GDP drag; past shutdowns furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Any stopgap plan requires bipartisan support to clear the 60-vote Senate threshold.

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