Latest Veteran Benefits and Services Impacted by Shutdown

VA officials warn that a government shutdown ending in the last two weeks of October could result in delays in Nov. 1 benefits payments, including disability compensation, GI Bill living stipends and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors.

No firm date has been given for when the VA would run out of money, however, ODVA will continue to alert veterans via email, social media, the blog and website as soon as information becomes available.

Beginning today, regional offices will be closed as the government shutdown forces furloughs of 7,000 employees of the Veterans Benefits Administration. Other impacted services include: 

• VBA’s processing of appeals and remands will be suspended. In the event of a prolonged shutdown, no decisions on appeals or motions will be issued by the Board of Veterans
• Appeals, and no Board field hearings on appeals will be held Freedom of Information Act queries will not be processed
• Privacy Act requests will not be processed
• VA’s homepage (www.va.gov) will be updated intermittently
• Recruiting and hiring of Veteran job applicants will cease with the exception of the Veterans Health Administration
• Presidential Memorial certificates will not be processed
• Interments at National Cemeteries will be conducted on a reduced schedule
• Military services coordinator operations will be suspended, including overseas
• VA Secretary correspondence with Veterans and VSOs suspended
• VetSuccess on Campus suspended
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Education Counseling will be limited
• VBA will not be able to continue overtime for claims processors

State and County Veteran Service Offices are still assisting veterans in filing claims and fielding questions about benefits. To locate a CVSO in Oregon, visit www.oregondva.com/find-a-veteran-service-office/

Official and updated documents explaining what VA services are open and closed is available at www.va.gov/opa/appropriations_lapse_plan.asp