The Social Security Administration is responsible for handling all processes of the Social Security Disability (SSD) program. These operations are handled by thousands of government employees on a daily basis, but what happens when a government shutdown occurs and how could SSD applicants and recipients be affected?
SSA’s New Contingency Plan
Our Social Security Disability lawyers at Newlin Disability explain questions like these are addressed in the SSA’s new contingency plan for the coming year.
A press release from the agency outlines a strategy to continue operation of the SSA in the event a government shutdown was to occur. Such an event could be prompted if planned annual funding was to run dry before financial decisions for the coming year could be finalized. The new plan simply creates a few minor updates and changes to the plan that was established in 2013.
The SSA says that as many as 11,197 employees would be furloughed in the event of a shutdown; however, an estimated 56,000 employees with certain titles would continue to perform their duties. These workers include executive officials and management, along with Human Resources employees and key members of each department.
This would allow the agency to continue to perform basic duties and meet its obligations to the public, regardless of funding issues.
It’s comforting to know that financial constraints caused by budgetary issues wouldn’t prevent you from receiving SSD benefits or hamper you from applying for SSD benefits. Our staff at Newlin Disability are hopeful the new plan never needs to be put into action, but applaud federal officials for proactively determining what the course of action would be in the event the government ceased operations.
