News Bulletin: As this week’s Blog was being prepared for posting, the federal government was shut down due to a funding impasse. This is the first such shutdown since a 35-day closure which lasted from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019.
One of the chief concerns affecting the majority of our Blog readers involves the effect of the shutdown on Social Security payments. Fortunately, as this Seattle Times article explains, benefits will continue to be paid. According to the article, the shutdown “won’t stop the flow of several critical benefits, including Social Security retirement and disability payments, which are sent to more than 74 million people each month.”
The Times article adds that some other services will also be available. You’ll still be able to apply for benefits, either online, over the phone or at the agency’s field offices. Despite staffing reductions, these offices generally remain open even when other federal budgets are curtailed.
The chief reason involves the source of funding. “Both Social Security and Medicare are not subject to annual budget negotiations by Congress,” the Seattle Times explains — “their funding is mandatory because it has already been authorized by the Social Security Act.” That means retirement, survivor and disability benefits will continue uninterrupted.
Here at the Blog, we’ll continue monitoring this developing story.
(originally reported at www.seattletimes.com)