VA Contingency Planning During Shutdown

As the federal government shutdown moves into its third week, and with no sure sign of it ending, many veterans and active duty members preparing to transition to life after the military are left wondering what impacts the shutdown is having on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The VA estimates 97% of VA employees will continue to work during a shutdown, according to the VA Human Capital Contingency Plan. And the VA says it is committed to providing quality, consistent care and services to Veterans, families, Caregivers, and Survivors. “VA’s mission allows no exception to this standard, even when operations are limited by the absence of appropriations (commonly known as a “Government shutdown”).

The VA has compiled a list of services impacted and not impacted by the government shutdown.

Not impacted by the shutdown

-VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open as usual and providing all services.

-VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.

-Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries. Applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits processing will continue.

-The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will continue decisions on Veterans’ cases.

-Call Centers, including the VA’s primary call center (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) will remain open 24/7.

- Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services, and caregiver support will continue.

-The VA Benefit Hotline (1-800-827-1000) will be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.

-The National Cemetery Scheduling Office (1-800-535-1117) (TTY:711)) will be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, to schedule burials.

Impacted during the shutdown

-VA will cease providing transition program assistance and career counseling.

-The VA’s GI Bill (1-888-GIBILL-1) hotline and Memorial Products Applicant Assistance (1-800-697-6947) unit will be closed.

-VA benefits regional offices will be closed.

-Public Affairs and unfunded 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 will not be processed.

-No outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based, and community-based partners by VA Central Office.

Veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors can continue to access VA resources by calling 1-800-MYVA411 (1-800-698-2411) 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.

In the event of a prolonged shutdown, VA will continue to review and update its plan in conjunction with the applicable legal requirements and circumstances. Please visit www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ or www.VA.gov for updated information.

For more information, please visit www.department.va.gov/contingency-planning