While most VA compensation, pension, and healthcare benefits payments are protected by advance funding, a government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, has immediate negative impacts on key support services that disabled veterans rely on.
Critical Negative Impacts on Disabled Veteran Support Services
Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E)
Negative Impact: Suspended/Furloughed Staff. VR&E Counselors (for Chapter 31) are furloughed. This means: no new veterans can enroll in the program, and current participants will experience delays or may not receive assistance for training, supplies, or job-seeking.
Programs Affected: Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31), Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (Chapter 36)
Education & Dependent Support
Negative Impact: Major Communication Closures and Payment Delays. The GI Bill Hotline (1-888-GIBILL-1) is closed. There are concerning reports that the VA is failing to process and disburse normally scheduled educational and housing benefits for student veterans and their dependents, leading to immediate financial distress. This includes the monthly housing stipends for dependents of 100% disabled veterans.
Programs Affected: Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
In-Person Assistance & Appeals
Negative Impact: Regional Offices are Closed. VA benefits regional offices are closed to the public. Veterans cannot go in person for assistance or to meet with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) who is a VA employee. (Note: Many VSOs outside the VA are still working).
Programs Affected: VA Regional Offices/Public Contact Services
Outreach and Information
Negative Impact: Outreach and Public Affairs Cease. VA will cease all unfunded outreach, public affairs, and career counseling activities. This includes suspending the publication of VetResources emails and routine social media updates, making it difficult for veterans to get timely, non-crisis information.
Programs Affected: Public Affairs, Outreach, Career Counseling, Transition Assistance Programs (TAP)
Memorial Services
Negative Impact: Cemetery Maintenance and Memorial Certificate Delays. While interments (burials) will continue, the VA has suspended routine grounds maintenance and the permanent placement of headstones or markers at national cemeteries. Applications for pre-need burial and new Presidential Memorial Certificates are also suspended.
Programs Affected: National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
Important Services That Are Still Running (Good News)
It is crucial to emphasize that many essential, life-sustaining services are protected by advance appropriations and will continue during the shutdown:
Compensation and Pension Payments: Monthly disability compensation, pension, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments will continue to be processed and delivered on time.
VA Health Care (VHA): All VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers remain fully open and operational, providing all scheduled appointments and services.
Crisis Support: The Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, then press 1) is fully operational 24/7.
Key Hotlines: The MyVA411 Contact Center (1-800-MyVA411) and the PACT Act Contact Center remain open.
Claims Processing: The processing of new and pending disability claims, as well as decisions from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), will continue.