The federal shutdown has a lot of Americans including veterans worried about how they'll be affected. Some media reports have stated compensation, pension and disability checks from the federal VA will see immediate interruptions but that is not the case.
State VA Commissioner Linda Schwartz sent out an advisory today to clear up the misconception. In a statement, Schwartz says all of Connecticut’s 52,000 veterans who use VA healthcare will still be able to access all federal VA medical facilities and clinics including pharmacy, inpatient and outpatient services. The VA also will continue to process all compensation and pension claims and payments.
More information for Connecticut veterans at 1 866-928-8387 or the CT VA website
The federal VA has a field guide on how the shutdown will impact some services for veterans. Below are programs still operating despite Congressional inaction.
• Military Sexual Trauma Counseling
• Readjustment Counseling Services (Vet Centers)
• Interments in National Cemeteries will continue, but may be on a reduced schedule. Contact NCA’s Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117
• My HealtheVet – All Services
• NCA will process applications for headstones, markers, medallions
• Insurance Processing
• Home Loan Processing
• NCA will notify VBA of death for benefit actions
• VBA Call Centers will be operational except for education
• Acquisitions Logistics Center will accept and fill prosthetics supply orders
• Office of Small and Disadvantaged Small Businesses
• Veterans Crisis Line
• Claims processing and payments in the compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation programs are anticipated to continue through late October. However, in the event of a prolonged shutdown, claims processing and payments in these programs would be suspended when available funding is exhausted
