Let’s start with what is NOT 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.
Now let’s address what IS impacted by the shutdown:
- 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, Vet Resources 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.
All information shared here is from https://department.va.gov/contingency-planning/ and the Veterans Field Guide To Government Shutdown.
(https://www.va.gov/files/2023-11/Veteran%20Field%20Guide%20Govt%20Shutdown_508.pdf)
Reinforcing the Relevant Points for VA Disability:
- VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
This means our work is still being reviewed, your benefits are still being paid, and this part of the process will continue regardless of the shutdown.
If you have any questions our team will do our best to support and answer whatever we can. Thank you again for your trust in our team.