How the Government Shutdown Could Affect Older Adults

Takeaways

• Many older adults rely on federal programs for income, health care, and support services, making them particularly vulnerable to disruptions caused by a government shutdown.
• While core benefits such as Social Security and Medicare payments are largely protected, administrative functions, customer service, new claims, and certain services (like some telehealth) may experience delays or reductions.
• A prolonged shutdown can lead to increased stress, significant backlogs, cash flow issues for health care providers, and potential long-term changes to certain programs.
• Older adults can mitigate risks by using online tools, planning ahead, documenting interactions, proactively communicating with providers, staying informed, and budgeting conservatively.

A federal government shutdown affects more than just the headlines; it creates deep uncertainty for many Americans. Perhaps no group of Americans feels the effects more than older adults, since many of them rely on federal programs for income and health care coverage. The effects of the federal government shutting down may not always seem direct or immediate, but the risks and disruptions are real.

Why Older Adults Are Especially Vulnerable

Older Americans tend to rely on federal programs for their primary income (Social Security, Supplemental Security Income), health coverage (Medicare, Medicaid), and support services (nutrition assistance, long-term care, home- and community-based services). That means even modest disruptions in government operations can ripple through their finances, access to care, and quality of life.

During a shutdown, programs funded through mandatory spending (essentially, those with existing, continuous funding) are more protected than those that rely on discretionary appropriations (annual budget allocations). But protected does not always mean unaffected. Administrative slowdowns, reduced staffing, delays in processing, and uncertainty are all possible, even in mandatory programs on which many older Americans rely.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Payments

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are considered mandatory spending, which means they don’t depend on yearly government funding bills. If you receive these benefits, your checks should continue arriving on schedule. Local Social Security Administration (SSA) offices will also remain open.

Because of staff reductions during the shutdown, some administrative and customer service functions might slow down or pause. The SSA may temporarily reduce or delay noncritical services like:

• Verifying benefits
• Making corrections to earnings records
• Handling and overpayment reviews

These delays can make it harder to get help with certain issues and may cause worry among seniors concerned about their payments.

In addition, the shutdown could delay the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announcement. COLA works like an annual raise that helps Social Security and SSI recipients keep up with the rising cost of things like food, gas, and housing. The COLA depends on inflation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which has paused some operations during the shutdown.

This delay means seniors won’t know their exact benefit increase as early as usual, making it harder to plan their budgets for the coming year.

Though many SSA operations will continue, there could be delays for things such as new claims, appeals, and appeals hearings, especially if the shutdown continues for a long period. People already receiving benefits are mostly protected in the short term, but those applying for benefits, making corrections, or needing other administrative help might experience disruptions.

Medicare Coverage

Medicare is partially protected from the effects of the shutdown, but not entirely immune. If you’re enrolled in Medicare, you should still be able to see your doctor, go to the hospital, and fill prescriptions as usual. Your core Medicare coverage remains intact.

Medicare relies on Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs). These are private companies that help the federal government run the program by processing claims and handling other key functions. Because this work is considered essential, many of their operations keep going during a shutdown.

However, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has asked MACs to temporarily delay payments to providers for up to 10 business days. This short pause is designed to give Congress time to restore funding or pass a temporary spending bill, and to prevent the need for MACs to reprocess claims later. This delay affects payments to doctors and hospitals, not your coverage. You can still receive medical care, and you won’t receive a bill because of this delay.

Other essential functions and some oversight activities will continue, but could experience delays amid reduced staffing in certain areas.

Telehealth coverage may be more affected. Medicare’s pandemic-era telehealth waivers expired on September 30, just before the government shutdown began. Medicare will continue to cover some telehealth services, such as for mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

However, other types of visits may not be covered. Contact your health care provider to confirm which their telehealth services remain covered under your plan.

Some oversight and quality monitoring activities, such as complaint resolution or enforcement, may be paused, which could lead to delays in resolving problems. The shutdown also means Medicare won’t issue replacement Medicare cards. However, you can still print an official copy from your online Medicare account.

If you are turning 65 soon or enrolling during Medicare’s open enrollment period, you may face longer wait times and slower assistance. Start the process early and use online resources whenever possible.

Medicaid and Related State Programs

Medicaid is a bit more complicated because, while the federal government provides much of the funding, states run and manage the program. This means the shutdown can affect Medicaid differently depending on your state.

If you’re enrolled in Medicaid, your coverage for required services should continue without interruption because existing funding typically remains in place.

However, some states may experience slower processing of new applications or changes in eligibility, especially if they depend on federal systems, guidance, or staff that are affected by the shutdown. This could make it harder to get help with complex cases or to update your benefits quickly.

Other programs that depend on discretionary federal grants or contracts, such as aging services, meal services, or home- and community-based care, are at higher risk. If funding runs out, these state and local services may face cuts or pauses.

Veterans Affairs medical centers are generally considered essential services and will continue operating. However, nonurgent services, support programs, or new applications could face delays.

Possible Longer-Term or Secondary Effects

Even as many core benefits continue, a prolonged or repeated shutdown can deepen risks on multiple levels. These include:

• Uncertainty and stress. Seniors living on fixed incomes may worry about whether future benefits or services will continue, making budgeting and planning harder.
• Administrative backlogs that persist. Administrative delays can quickly accumulate. Once services resume fully, it may take months to catch up on appeals, corrections, and new claims.
• Effects on health care providers. Health care providers, home health agencies, and community service contractors may face cash flow issues if reimbursements are delayed, potentially forcing service reductions or closures, especially in rural or low-margin settings.
• Interdependence of programs. Some services depend on multiple governmental layers (federal, state, local). Disruption in one layer can cascade to other layers.
• Political changes. Repeated shutdowns or budget instability may spur reevaluation of program structures or cost controls, which could lead to future program changes affecting older adults.

What Older Adults Can Do to Mitigate Risk

Even though most essential programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, will continue during the shutdown, service disruptions and delays can still cause real stress. Here are some practical steps for those affected by the current government shutdown:

• Use online tools first. For Social Security, Medicare, or SSI matters that don’t require in-person visits, use secure online portals, such as mySocialSecurity, to avoid making a trip to an office that might be closed.
• Plan ahead as much as possible. If you are nearing a deadline for applying, enrolling, or changing an address (such as during Medicare open enrollment), try to start the process early, and expect longer wait times for things like processing new claims.
• Keep detailed documentation. Save records of claims, applications, denials, and correspondence. If delays occur, it helps to have evidence.
  You may also want to keep copies of your personal records, including your Medicare card or proof of benefits letters, on hand. This can be helpful to show proof of coverage during service slowdowns.
• Ask providers in advance. Do you have upcoming medical care or prescriptions you need to fill? Ask your doctors and pharmacies if the shutdown might affect scheduling, billing, or coverage. If you use virtual care, check with your provider to confirm whether the specific services you rely on are still covered.
• Stay informed. Follow official updates from agencies like the SSA and CMS, and trusted advocacy groups, for alerts about service changes or temporary policies.
• Budget conservatively. Monthly payments for core benefits should remain intact, so use cash reserves for noncovered costs and refrain from major spending decisions until benefits increases are confirmed.

During the government shutdown, administrative delays, reduced customer service, delayed data and announcements, and strain on provider networks all pose real risks, especially for those entering programs or needing more intensive assistance.

In a best-case scenario, the shutdown will be short and agencies will recover quickly. But if the shutdown lingers, the ripple effects could compound, making life harder for older Americans who are least able to absorb uncertainty or interruption. With thoughtful planning, you may be able to lessen some of the negative effects.

Additional Reading

For additional reading on topics related to government benefits for older adults, check out the following articles:

• Get Social Security Benefits by Check? Prepare for Change
• How to Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits
• How Do You Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?
• Are Social Security Benefits Taxed?
• Medicare Coverage Basics: What You Need to Know