Will government shutdown affect services to veterans? Not essentials

VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and the Veterans Crisis Line will continue to function.
Some services, such as career counseling and certain VA hotlines, will be suspended during the shutdown.
The federal government has been shut down, but services provided by the Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Affairs will stay open, for the most part.
Local veteran advocates, including Clifton Councilman Tony Latona, a U.S. Air Force veteran currently serving in the New York Air National Guard, said Veterans Affairs is considered an essential service and should remain business as usual.
Staff members of 9th District Democrat Rep. Nellie Pou confirmed that VA health services won’t be impacted.
Calls made to the Bloomfield (973-748-0980) and Secaucus (201-223-7787) veterans centers found staff members who answered calls and confirmed that both locations are actively servicing veterans’ concerns.
According to AARP, most government services for military veterans and their families continue during a shutdown of the federal government. VA hospitals will remain open and fully staffed. The Tricare health insurance program will continue to operate as usual. Veterans will still get their pension benefits and claims will continue to be processed.
What VA services are not impacted during a government shutdown?
The VA estimates that 97% of its employees continue to work during a shutdown. According to the VA’s contingency plan, here are the services that will not be impacted:
VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Centers and Vet Centers will remain open, providing all services.
VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education and housing benefits.
Burials will continue at VA cemeteries.
The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will continue to make decisions on veterans’ cases.
VA’s primary call center and the Veterans Crisis Line will remain open 24/7. The VA Benefit Hotline (1-800-MyVA411 or 1-800-698-2411) will remain open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services and caregiver support will continue.
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What VA services are impacted during a government shutdown?
According to the VA’s contingency plan, the following servicesare impacted during a shutdown:
VA will stop providing transition program assistance and career counseling.
VA’s GI Bill and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance hotlines will be closed.
VA benefits regional offices will be closed.
Public affairs and outreach to veterans will cease, including social media, VetResources emails and responses to press inquiries.
No grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries.
Applications for pre-need burial at VA cemeteries won’t be processed.
No printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates.
No outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based and community-based partners will take place by the VA Center Office.
Some, however, are concerned that the VA services won’t run smoothly during the shutdown. Minnie E. Austin, a veteran and Passaic’s deputy mayor of Veterans Affairs, said she is concerned that if there are any roadblocks to getting services to veterans, she may lose the opportunity to help them.
Many veterans are proud and do not like to ask for help, she said. If, after getting veterans ready to seek help and it is not forthcoming, the window of opportunity is shut down. They may never return, she said.