While the news of a government shutdown can be concerning, the threat it poses to your benefits and your ability to receive them is minimal. This has been proven repeatedly — through the 43-day shutdown ending November 2025, the brief partial shutdown ending February 3, 2026, and the 76-day DHS funding lapse that ran from February 14 to April 30, 2026.
There is no cause for alarm. Your benefits will continue to be distributed, and our team is here to guide you through any questions you have concerning your Social Security disability appeals process.
Did the DHS Funding Lapse Affect SSDI?
In no way did the DHS funding lapse affect SSDI or SSI payments. DHS was a core issue that Congress reached a deadlock on for discretionary spending, the other two are federally-backed programs that require mandatory funding.
What’s the Status of Michael Armstrong Law?
Michael Armstrong Law remained fully open and available to serve our clients throughout every government shutdown in 2025 and 2026, including the 76-day DHS funding lapse that ended April 30, 2026. We continue to diligently serve our community regardless of the government status. While we did not receive any asks from clients during the most recent shutdown, we also want clients to know that a shutdown will (usually) never affect your benefits.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): A government program that provides disability benefits to individuals who have accumulated the necessary work credits through their employment and need financial assistance due to their long-term disability.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A government program that provides supplemental income to individuals with limited income who are disabled, blind, elderly, or otherwise unable to work, regardless of their work history.
- Government Shutdown: Occurs when Congress fails to pass necessary funding bills for the government. Unfortunately, during a shutdown, many government workers can be furloughed (temporary, unpaid leave from work), non-essential programs can be shut down, and some public services can become limited or unavailable.
Due to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) being essential services, these programs are largely unimpacted. Below Are Key Points You Need To Understand About SSDI and SSI in a Government Shutdown:
SSDI and SSI Benefits Are Essential and Mandatory
- These benefits are essential to the quality of life of many Americans; as such they are considered mandatory spending and are not subject to annual appropriations by Congress.
- SSDI is backed by Social Security trust funds and SSI by general Treasury revenues — both are mandatory spending, automatically dispersed and uninterrupted during a government shutdown.
- Current benefit recipients should be unimpacted.
New SSDI and SSI Applications and Appeals Processing Can Face Delays
- These benefits are essential to the quality of life of many Americans; as such they are considered mandatory spending and are not subject to annual appropriations by Congress.
- SSDI is backed by Social Security trust funds and SSI by general Treasury revenues — both are mandatory spending, automatically dispersed and uninterrupted during a government shutdown.
- Current benefit recipients should be unimpacted.
- There is little concern for individuals already receiving benefits.
- However, while ongoing benefits and their corresponding recipients are unimpacted, new applications, appeals, and certain administrative functions may experience processing delays.
- SSA may have a more limited workforce during a government shutdown, which may contribute to processing delays.
- SSA access to in-person services and customer service support may be more limited during a government shutdown.
Other Possible Issues That Can Arise for SSDI and SSI During a Government Shutdown
- Technological maintenance of the SSA website may be hindered or delayed until the government shutdown is over.
- Community outreach programs for SSA might be scaled back or suspended during government shutdowns.
What Has Happened to SSDI and SSI in the Past During a Government Shutdown?
During previous government shutdowns, SSA successfully maintained the disbursement of SSDI and SSI benefits to current, qualified program beneficiaries. In October–November 2025, there was a 43-day government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history. While the shutdown lasted over six weeks, SSDI and SSI payments for individuals already receiving benefits continued normally.
However, as stated earlier, new applicants filing initial applications, individuals filing appeals for Social Security disability benefit denials, and individuals waiting for decisions on their SSD applications faced processing delays. In January–February 2026, a brief partial shutdown occurred when funding lapsed on January 31. This shutdown ended on February 3, 2026, when President Trump signed a funding package into law. Once again, SSDI and SSI payments continued uninterrupted for current beneficiaries.
Recent Government Funding & Shutdown Issues in 2026 Explained
The DHS-only shutdown began February 14, 2026, and was directly caused by Congress’ impasse on immigration enforcement. Ending April 30, 2026, it became the longest partial shutdown in U.S. history at 76 days. But, as with other government shutdowns, it had no impact on either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as these government-funded programs are supported by separate and distinct federal instruments, which operate outside the effects of government shutdowns. We have not seen any issues in our pipeline from the recent shutdowns.
Government Shutdowns in Recent Years
In 2018-2019, there was a 35-day government shutdown. While the shutdown lasted over a month, SSDI and SSI payments for individuals already receiving benefits continued normally. However, the same administrative services for new applicants and individuals filing appeals for denied SSD claims faced processing delays. In 2013, there was a 16-day shutdown. Similar to other shutdowns, SSDI and SSI payments disbursement to current program recipients was unhindered.
| Government Shutdown Timeline: Impact on SSDI & SSI Benefits | |||
| Shutdown | Duration | SSDI/SSI Payments Affected? | Notes |
| 2013 Federal Shutdown | Oct 1–17, 2013 (16 days) | No | Processing delays for new applications and appeals |
| 2018–2019 Federal Shutdown | Dec 22, 2018–Jan 25, 2019 (35 days) | No | Processing delays for new applications and appeals |
| 2025 Federal Shutdown | Oct 1–Nov 12, 2025 (43 days) | No | Longest full government shutdown in U.S. history; processing delays for new applications and appeals |
| Jan–Feb 2026 Partial Shutdown | Jan 31–Feb 3, 2026 (4 days) | No | Brief funding lapse; minimal disruption to SSA services |
| 2026 DHS Funding Lapse | Feb 14–Apr 30, 2026 (76 days) | No | DHS only — SSA operates under entirely separate funding; longest single-department funding lapse in U.S. history |
It’s Critical to Educate Yourself Using the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Website
If you are worried about how a shutdown might impact you personally, rest assured: current benefit recipients are protected, and Michael Armstrong Law is actively assisting clients with applications and appeals.
It is critical to consult the SSA Website or contact your local SSA office for the most accurate and up-to-date information. However, if you wish to file an appeal for a denied Social Security disability claim during a government shutdown, our team of Social Security disability legal professionals is here to help you with that process.