Continuity of Care for Veterans
During a U.S. government shutdown, many critical services for veterans remain uninterrupted. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to ensuring that essential functions continue. This includes providing medical care at VA medical centers and outpatient clinics.
Support Services That Remain Active
Veterans can continue to receive important benefits such as compensation, pension, education, housing payments, and burial services at national cemeteries. Resources like the MyVA411 phone line and the Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988, press 1) operate 24/7, ensuring that veterans have access to support when they need it most. Suicide prevention, homelessness programs, and caregiver support services remain active to assist those who are vulnerable.
Role of Local and State Agencies
In addition to federal support, local government agencies, such as county departments of military and veterans affairs, step in to provide continuity. Organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) also offer remote assistance through accredited service officers. This redundancy ensures that veterans still receive claims assistance and educational benefit guidance, even if some federal offices face temporary closures.
While essential VA services persist, some outreach activities may be limited or paused. Therefore, veterans should stay informed about ongoing resources and local support options available during these challenging times. Despite the hurdles of a government shutdown, a network of services remains in place to support our nation’s veterans.