Resources for Veterans during the Government Shutdown

As you are likely aware, a government shutdown began at 12:00 AM on Wednesday, October 1st after funding for the federal government expired. Unfortunately, while I voted to keep the government open and working for the American people through November 21st with a bipartisan extension of current funding levels, almost all Senate Democrats voted against the measure in the other chamber, causing it to fail and critical federal government operations to lapse. This means that while some programs deemed essential are allowed by law to continue, many federal agencies cannot continue to operate.

As someone who is part of the veteran community, you may be wondering what this means for your benefits, what has remained open, and how to navigate this confusing time. My staff and I are here to help you understand what this government shutdown means to you, your benefits, and the services you rely on.

Most Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services critical to veterans will continue during the government shutdown. Here’s a current breakdown of what remains operational through the VA:

• 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: VA’s primary call center (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) will remain open 24/7. The VA Benefit Hotline (1-800-827-1000) will be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
• Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services, and caregiver support will continue.

However, some services have been negatively impacted, including:

• VA will cease providing transition program assistance and career counseling.
• Call Centers: VA’s GI Bill (1-888-GIBILL-1) and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance (1-800-697-6947) 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 will not be processed.
• No printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates.
• No outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based, and community-based partners by VA Central Office.

Please keep in mind that these statuses are subject to change. Rest assured, my team and I are working throughout this shutdown and will give our community important updates as they come available. For the most timely information, please visit my website, follow my social media pages: X, Facebook, and Instagram.  

Thank you for being a valuable member of our veteran community. Our district is blessed to be home many veterans, and I believe lawmakers have the responsibility to ensure they have what they need to live healthy, happy, and successful lives after serving our great nation and defending our freedoms. If you, your family, or any other member of our veteran community experience difficulties with the VA during this government shutdown, please reach out to my office with your concerns and questions. We will be happily do whatever we can to assist you. Please call my DC office at 202-225-2901.

The United States of America was built by previous generations at great cost and has been preserved by the sacrifices of our veterans and servicemembers. Please know that I remain committed to providing stability for our veterans and troops here in Alabama as I work to bring this unnecessary government shutdown to a swift end.

God bless you and thank you for your service to our great nation.

Sincerely,

Rep. Barry Moore
Member of Congress