How the Government Shutdown Affects Social Security Disability Benefits

Posted in Uncategorized on November 3, 2025

How the Government Shutdown Affects Social Security Disability Benefits

The recent government shutdown has left many people wondering how it might affect their Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. Attorney Brent Jordan of Conchin, Cole, Jordan & Sherrod explains how the shutdown impacts current beneficiaries as well as those who are still waiting for their disability claims to be processed.

The Good News: Payments Continue for Current Beneficiaries

If you’re already receiving Social Security Disability payments, there’s no need to worry. According to Jordan, these payments are not tied to annual government appropriations. Instead, they’re funded through a trust system, which means your monthly checks will continue to arrive as scheduled—even during a shutdown.

“If you’ve already been approved and you’re receiving benefits, you’re good,” Jordan explains. “Your checks will continue to come on your regular payment date.”

In short, the government shutdown does not interrupt existing disability payments.

The Bad News: Delays for Pending Disability Claims

Unfortunately, the story is different for those still navigating the disability application or appeals process. While disability judges are considered essential workers and continue conducting hearings, many of the staff members who support them—such as decision writers and scheduling staff—have been furloughed.

That means:

• Applicants waiting for a hearing to be scheduled may experience delays.

• Claimants who have already had a hearing but are waiting on a decision might see longer wait times, sometimes extending several months.

“Judges are still going to work and conducting hearings,” Jordan says. “But many of the staff who help them write decisions have been furloughed. So we’re seeing some delays there.”

In other words, while the system hasn’t stopped, it’s operating at a slower pace—a government slowdown, as Jordan puts it.

What Claimants Should Do During the Shutdown

For those currently in the disability process, patience and preparation are key. Jordan advises clients to stay proactive:

• Continue seeing your doctors and following through with medical treatments.

• Maintain communication with your attorney to keep your case updated.

• Manage your expectations—delays may happen, but your case will still move forward.

“I tell my clients to think of it more as a slowdown,” says Jordan. “Keep doing what you’re doing, stay in contact with your attorney, and don’t lose hope.”

Need Help With a Social Security Disability Claim?

If you have questions about how the government shutdown might impact your disability case—or if you need help applying for or appealing a Social Security Disability claim—contact CCJS Law.
Our experienced attorneys have handled hundreds of disability cases across Alabama and can help you navigate this complex process with confidence.

📞 Call us today or visit our website to schedule a consultation.