Tessa Quinn
Government shutdowns can cause uncertainty and anxiety for veterans who rely on VA services and benefits. While a government shutdown may disrupt some VA services, essential VA benefits and medical care will continue uninterrupted. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to delivering uninterrupted healthcare and benefits to veterans, and VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will remain open during a government shutdown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| VA Hospital Affected by Government Shutdown | Minimal impact |
| VA Services Available During Shutdown | VA Medical Services, Disability Compensation, Pension Payments, Burials at National Cemeteries, Veterans Crisis Line, Board of Veterans' Appeals, VA Contact Centers, Prescription Drug Phone Lines, Claims Processing and Payments in Compensation, Pension, Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation Programs |
| VA Services Unavailable During Shutdown | Medical and Prosthetic Research, Applications for Pre-need Burial Eligibility and Presidential Memorial Certificates |
| VA Employees Impacted by Shutdown | 96% of employees will be fully funded or continue to perform essential functions; 4% of employees will work until carry-over funds are depleted, then be furloughed |
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What You'll Learn
- VA hospitals are minimally impacted by government shutdowns
- Veterans' health care is not impacted by government shutdowns
- VA employees are either fully funded or continue to perform excepted functions
- VA disability claims processing continues as usual during a government shutdown
- VA health care is protected by a law passed by Congress in 2009
VA hospitals are minimally impacted by government shutdowns
VA hospitals are designed to be minimally impacted by government shutdowns. Inpatient care is expected to continue as usual at Department of Defense medical treatment facilities, and the same goes for acute and emergency outpatient care in DoD medical and dental facilities.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to delivering uninterrupted healthcare and benefits to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. This includes access to health care, benefits, and memorial services. VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers remain open, and VA benefits continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
In 2009, Congress passed a law to fund the VA one year in advance, allowing VA healthcare to plan ahead and ensure funding for an additional year beyond a government shutdown. As a result, VA hospitals are typically able to operate normally or with minimal impact during a shutdown.
While most VA employees are expected to remain on the job, there may be some furloughs for employees performing non-essential functions. However, the VA typically projects that 96% of its workforce will be fully funded or deemed "excepted" during a shutdown. This means that veterans can continue to rely on essential VA services even during periods of political uncertainty.
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Veterans' health care is not impacted by government shutdowns
VA health care is protected by a law passed by Congress in 2009. This law funds the VA one year in advance, allowing VA health care to plan ahead and ensure funding for an additional year beyond a government shutdown. As a result, VA hospitals should continue to run normally or close to normal during a shutdown. All VA medical appointments and prescription drug phone lines will remain active.
Furthermore, the VA projects that 96% of its workforce will either be fully funded or deemed "excepted" during a shutdown. This means that their roles are essential and will continue. Out of the VA's total workforce, approximately 440,740 employees will remain on duty, including 403,159 VHA employees funded by advance appropriations.
While a government shutdown may cause uncertainty and anxiety for veterans, it is important to note that critical VA benefits and services remain unaffected. This includes VA medical services, disability compensation, pension payments, education benefits under the GI Bill, burials at national cemeteries, and the Veterans Crisis Line.
Overall, veterans can rest assured that their health care needs will continue to be met, even during a government shutdown. The VA is dedicated to providing consistent care and support to those who have served our country.
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VA employees are either fully funded or continue to perform excepted functions
During a government shutdown, VA employees are either fully funded or continue to perform excepted functions. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to delivering uninterrupted healthcare and benefits to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. This commitment is upheld even during periods of limited operations caused by a government shutdown.
In the event of a shutdown, the VA expects 96% of its employees to be fully funded or to continue performing excepted functions. Out of a pre-shutdown total of 458,579 employees, 440,740 are projected to remain on duty. Of these, 403,159 are VHA employees funded by advance or multi-year appropriations. The remaining employees will continue to work until carry-over funds are depleted and will then be furloughed.
VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers remain open during a shutdown. Veterans can continue to access healthcare services, including inpatient and emergency outpatient care. Additionally, VA benefits such as disability compensation, pension payments, education benefits under the GI Bill®, and housing stipends are processed and delivered without interruption. Burials at VA national cemeteries also continue as usual.
The VA's contingency plan aims to ensure an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by a lapse in funding. Furloughed and excepted employees receive retroactive pay for the furlough period as soon as possible after the lapse ends. The VA remains steadfast in its dedication to providing consistent care and services to veterans, even during challenging times.
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VA disability claims processing continues as usual during a government shutdown
During a government shutdown, VA disability claims processing will continue as usual. VA claims processors, including Veterans Service Representatives (VSRs) and Rating Veterans Service Representatives (RVSRs), are classified as mission-essential personnel, ensuring that disability claims are reviewed, processed, and decided without interruption.
The VA expects 96% of its workforce to be fully funded or deemed "excepted" during a shutdown, meaning their roles are essential and will continue. Out of the VA's pre-shutdown workforce of 458,579, approximately 440,740 employees will remain on duty, including 403,159 VHA employees funded by advance appropriations. Around 17,839 employees will work until existing carryover funds are exhausted, after which they will be furloughed.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) will continue to perform various functions during a shutdown, including processing and payments for education benefit claims, insurance, loan guaranty programs, Veteran Readiness and Employment payment processing, compensation and pension claims, and Decision Review Operations. These functions are maintained to prevent significant disruptions to mandatory benefits programs.
While a government shutdown may cause uncertainty and anxiety, particularly for veterans who depend on critical VA benefits and services, the VA is committed to ensuring that veterans and their families continue to receive the support they need. Essential VA benefits and medical care will continue uninterrupted during a shutdown.
Additionally, the VA has identified functions and programs exempt from furlough or for which there is a legal basis for designating exceptions, including those required for the "protection of life and property." The VA has also prepared a contingency plan to execute an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by a lapse in funding.
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VA health care is protected by a law passed by Congress in 2009
While a government shutdown can affect many agencies and government services, VA health care services are generally protected. In the event of a government shutdown, inpatient care is expected to continue as usual at Department of Defense medical treatment facilities, and acute and emergency outpatient care in DoD medical and dental facilities. This is because the Defense Department isn't one of the agencies impacted.
The PACT Act, or The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law was passed by Congress in 2019, and it helps provide generations of veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they need. The PACT Act adds over 20 burn pit and other toxic exposure presumptive conditions, expanding benefits for Gulf War era and post-9/11 veterans.
The VA MISSION Act of 2018 also helps protect VA health care services. This act removes all geographic barriers to telemedicine and protects VA providers against liability stemming from state licensure laws. The VA may also enter into agreements known as Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) if health care for veterans is not available from a VA facility.
While VA health care services are generally protected, there may still be some impact on specific services or employees. During a government shutdown, 96% of VA employees are expected to be fully funded or continue to perform excepted functions. However, employees performing medical and prosthetic research may be furloughed. Overall, VA health care services are designed to continue providing care and support to veterans, even during a government shutdown.
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Frequently asked questions
VA hospitals should not be significantly affected by a government shutdown. Inpatient care, acute and emergency outpatient care, and medical care for wounded warriors are expected to continue as usual.
Yes, veterans will still be able to access their benefits, including disability compensation, pension payments, and education benefits under the GI Bill®.
Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries, and applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits will also be processed.
Yes, the Veterans Crisis Line will remain operational throughout a government shutdown.
