On October 1, 2025, the federal government shut down after Congress failed to pass a funding bill. Now, an estimated 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed, while essential workers will continue their work without pay. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has said that this shutdown will negatively affect U.S. veterans because “[m]any of them work in the federal government. Many of them have services provided to them after they’ve gotten out through the federal government,” and “this shutdown simply is going to be a hindrance into getting that help here at the VA.”
That said, many veterans across the nation are now wondering how, exactly, their VA benefits might be impacted by the government shutdown.
The short answer is, hopefully not much.
The VA estimates that 97% of its employees will continue working during the shutdown. The VA has also announced that the following services will not be impacted by the shutdown:
- VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open as usual and providing all services.
- VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
- Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries. Applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing will continue.
- The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will continue decisions on Veterans’ cases.
- Call Centers: VA’s primary call center (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) will remain open 24/7. The VA Benefit Hotline (1-800-827-1000) will be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
- Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services, and caregiver support will continue.
Thus, most VA medical, benefit, and burial services will remain open and operating during the shutdown.
Notably, however, the following services will be impacted by the shutdown, meaning they will be suspended or cease:
- VA will cease providing transition program assistance and career counseling.
- Call Centers: VA’s GI Bill (1-888-GIBILL-1) and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance (1-800-697-6947) hotlines will be closed.
- VA benefits regional offices will be closed.
- Public Affairs and outreach to Veterans will cease, including social media, VetResources emails, and responses to press inquiries.
- No grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries.
- Applications for pre-need burial at VA cemeteries will not be processed.
- No printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates.
- No outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based, and community-based partners by VA Central Office.
If the shutdown is prolonged, the status of these services may change. For the most up to date information on the VA’s contingency plan, please visit: Human Capital Contingency Plan – VA Contingency Planning.
Denied Benefits?
If you have been wrongly denied your VA disability benefits, Vets National Advocates are here for you, even during a government shutdown. Our qualified advocates can help you appeal your disability claim, and will fight to get you the benefits you deserve.
Call 877-777-4021 to speak with one of our advocates about your claim for free.
