The Federal Government shutdown has impacted millions of individuals and families across the country. As of today, there is little information regarding just how long the shutdown could last. We have compiled a list of information pertaining to various federally funded programs and how the shutdown might affect you and your clients.
Social Security
- Recipients can expect payments to continue on time with no change in payment dates[1]
- New or replacement SS cards, and proof-of-income letters are on hold as of now
Medicare and Medicaid:
- Medicare payments will continue on time for the time being (the federal funds go to the states on a quarterly basis)
- Some new applicants could experience a delay with the processing of their applications
- Replacement Medicare cards are on hold
Unemployment
- Checks will continue, but there may be delays
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Currently not receiving money from the Federal Government but many states have enough funding available
SNAP or Food Stamps
- SNAP payments will continue for the time being. The program is funded by the Recovery Act through October
- About $2 billion in SNAP contingency funds are available and could be used to support state administrative activities to issue and process benefits. Contingency funds are provided in annual appropriations and do not expire until the end of FY2014.
- New York State WIC (Women’s Infants and Children Program) will continue to serve participants until further notice.
- USDA authorized retailers should continue to accept SNAP EBT cards. (http://otda.ny.gov/)
Veterans Benefits
- Claims processing and payments in the compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehab programs should continue through late October. If shutdown is prolonged, programs will be suspended once funding is exhausted
- Veterans will not receive disability compensation in November – some will see pension payments stopped[2]
- New applicants will experience delays in processing new disability applications[3]
FHA
- FHA will be able to endorse single family loans during the shutdown. A limited number of FHA staff will be available to underwrite and approve new loans however; the underwriting and approval process will be slower. [4]
Please be sure to contact the appropriate agency for the most up to date information.
Feel free to contact us on Facebook or Twitter with specific questions.
1 http://blog.aarp.org/2013/10/04/social-security-enters-the-debt-ceiling-fray/
2 http://www.thenation.com/blog/176427/government-shutdown-will-hit-federal-workers-poor-americans#
3 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=230017633
4 http://money.cnn.com/2013/09/30/real_estate/mortgage-shutdown/