SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN.
The government is entering the 3rd day of the shutdown but for the rest of us, life and work goes on. For those receiving Social Security benefits, Social Security disability benefits or are in the process of filing or appealing, nothing will change, at least for now.
During This Shutdown:
All essential services will continue during a shutdown, such as public safety operations, Medicare payments and will have little effect on Social Security checks. While checks still go out, some aspects of the Social Security Administration would get hit during a shutdown.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has established a contingency plan to allow it to continue activities during this shutdown, but this will change if Congress keep the government closed for much longer.
The critical functions set out below apply during a lapse in annual appropriations lasting between one and five days. We will update this post should the shutdown last longer than 5 days.
- If you are receiving social security benefits, they will continue.
- The Offices of Hearing Operations (OHO) should continue to hold hearings and deciding cases.
- Field offices will still be processing applications and appeals.
- It is unlikely that the Office of Hearing Operations will accept appeals to the Appeals Council, which hears appeals from decisions of the Administrative Law Judge.
- Field offices will continue to make determinations on initial and reconsideration claims during a shutdown.
This is an unsettling time and hopefully will be resolved shortly. If you have any questions regarding your Social Security Disability appeals, fill out the form on MyFloridaSocialSecurityLawyer.com .