Government Shutdowns, Ticket To Work & Your Social Security Disability

Talk of a government shutdown may have you wondering how it might affect your Social Security benefits or Ticket to Work (TTW) Program participation. The good news is that these services will continue operating normally with minimal impact.

What Is a Government Shutdown?

A federal government shutdown happens when Congress does not pass the budget needed to fund government operations. During a shutdown, non-essential government activities stop while essential services continue running.

Think of it like a store that closes most departments during an emergency but keeps the most important services like security and customer service open. The government works the same way—some offices may have limited staff, but legally required programs like Social Security keep operating.

Your Benefits Are Protected

Key operations such as making Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments, Medicare coverage and TTW services continue. We know this for several reasons.

Separate Funding Sources

Social Security and Medicare are funded through dedicated trust funds, not the fiscal year government budget. This means your SSDI payments and Medicare coverage continue even when other government funding is paused due to a budget impasse.

Emergency Planning

The Social Security Administration has plans in place to maintain essential services during shutdowns. The TTW Program is considered a priority service and will continue running.

Past Experience

Previous government shutdowns have shown that Social Security benefits are paid on time and TTW services continue without major interruptions.

What You Can Count On

Because of how things are structured and funded, you can count on key parts of your benefits and services from Allsup Employment Services to continue functioning.

Your Benefits

• SSDI payments will arrive on schedule. (NOTE: The SSA is on schedule with transitioning to electronic payments effective Sept. 30, 2025.)
• Medicare coverage continues without changes.
• All Ticket To Work Program rules and benefits remain the same.

Allsup Employment Services will remain fully operational during normal business hours. You can still receive:

• Resume coaching and interview preparation.
• Vocational counseling and planning services.
• Support with your employment goals.
• Guidance on tracking your progress with Social Security.

Delays Are Possible

Even though core services remain active, some non-urgent administrative processes within SSA may slow down. Here’s what to watch out for and how to respond:

• Processing of non-urgent paperwork may be slower.
• Some correspondence may be delayed.
• Response times for routine questions may increase.

Continue reporting your work earnings to Social Security as usual. Do not change your reporting habits during the shutdown. AES will help monitor your case and follow up on any delays.

Staying Informed

To maintain clarity and confidence during a shutdown, here’s how you can stay informed and connected:

• If you are working with Allsup Employment Services: direct any questions or new updates—whether about your work plans, earnings or change in circumstance—to your AES vocational expert.
• You can also check the Allsup-AES app (download from the bottom of any AllsupEmploymentServices.com page).

You can also visit these official sources for accurate updates:

• Social Security Administration (ssa.gov).
• Ticket To Work (choosework.ssa.gov).
• USAGov for general government information (usa.gov).

Your Career Goals Remain on Track

A government shutdown will have minimal impact on your Social Security benefits and Ticket To Work participation. Your SSDI payments, Medicare coverage, and TTW services are protected and will continue normally.

More importantly, a shutdown will not affect your long-term employment goals. The TTW Program will continue to support your path to more financial independence, and your AES team remains committed to helping you succeed just as we have from the start.