SSI payments during the government shutdown: What to know in California
Californians receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue to get their payments on schedule, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. Here’s the latest on benefits, office operations, and available support.
As the federal government shutdown moves into November, many Californians who rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are asking whether their monthly payments will still arrive. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed that all SSI and Social Security benefits will continue without interruption.
"Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments to beneficiaries will continue with no change in payment dates." -SSA
Payments are funded separately from annual federal appropriations, meaning eligible Californians will still receive their deposits on the usual schedule.
However, Social Security offices across California remain open only for essential services. Staff have been reduced, and wait times are expected to increase. While residents can still apply for benefits, request appeals, update addresses, or report deaths, several non-essential services—such as benefit verification letters and in-person Medicare card replacements—are temporarily unavailable.
Below is a full breakdown of what Californians should know about their SSI payments, Medi-Cal coverage, and related assistance programs during the shutdown. You can find even more information in the official SSA Contingency Plan.
Will My SSI Payment Arrive?
Yes. Californians who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue to get their payments on time throughout the federal government shutdown. The Social Security Administration confirmed that benefits funded under Title XVI of the Social Security Act—such as SSI—are protected from lapses in annual appropriations.
That means the agency will keep processing payments on its regular schedule, even while many other federal programs pause. SSA staff have been designated as essential to ensure accuracy and timeliness in benefit delivery, and the systems responsible for distributing payments will remain active.
In short, recipients can expect their usual SSI deposits to arrive in full and on schedule, with no need to take any action during the shutdown.
What Social Security Services Are Still Available?
While SSI payments will continue without interruption, Social Security offices across California are open only for limited services during the shutdown. Most field offices remain staffed at reduced levels, meaning residents should expect longer wait times both in person and over the phone.
Essential services are still being provided. Californians can apply for benefits, request an appeal, report a death, change their address or direct deposit information, update their citizenship status, or report a change in living arrangements or income if they receive SSI. The agency is also continuing to issue replacement Social Security cards and process critical payments when needed.
Other services have been temporarily suspended. Social Security cannot issue proof-of-income letters, replace Medicare cards in person, or correct earnings records unrelated to benefit applications. These functions will resume once normal operations return. In the meantime, residents can still access some of these services online through their my Social Security accounts, including requesting benefit verification letters or replacement Medicare cards.
What If My Payment Is Late or Missing?
If an SSI payment does not arrive on schedule, Californians can still contact their local Social Security office for help. During the shutdown, offices are authorized to replace a lost or missing payment and to issue what’s known as a “critical payment” in urgent cases.
Because staff levels are reduced, response times may be longer than usual, and in-person appointments could be limited. To save time, recipients should first verify their deposit with their bank or check their my Social Security account online before calling or visiting an office.
The Social Security Administration is prioritizing the continuity of benefit payments above all other functions during the shutdown, meaning late or missing payments remain among the few issues offices are still fully equipped to resolve.
Will Disability Hearings Continue?
Yes. Disability hearings and appeals are continuing as scheduled during the shutdown. The Social Security Administration has classified hearings offices and their staff— including Administrative Law Judges (ALJs), decision writers, and critical support personnel—as essential to the agency’s core operations.
That means Californians awaiting a disability hearing or appeal should not expect cancellations or major delays directly related to the shutdown. Hearings offices remain open to conduct scheduled proceedings, issue decisions, and maintain ongoing communication with claimants and representatives.
However, certain administrative functions connected to hearings, such as new representative enrollments or non-urgent record requests, may be temporarily paused until normal operations resume.
How Much Are SSI Payments in California?
California residents who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) get a higher monthly benefit than most other states because the state adds its own supplement to the federal amount. These combined payments are designed to help low-income residents who are aged, blind, or disabled meet basic living expenses.
For 2025, the maximum monthly SSI amounts in California are:
- Single person, independent living: $1,206.94 (aged or disabled) or $1,291.32 (blind)
- Single person, living in someone else’s household: $889.87 (aged or disabled) or $974.25 (blind)
- Couple, independent living (both aged or disabled): $2,057.83
- Couple, both blind: $2,283.35
- Non-medical out-of-home care: $1,599.07 (single) or $3,198.14 (couple)
- Living in a Medicaid facility: $62.00 (single) or $124.00 (couple)
Not everyone receives the maximum. Your actual benefit depends on your income, living situation, and other factors such as whether you pay your own rent or live with others. If your circumstances change during the shutdown—such as a move or change in household income—you should still report it to Social Security, since the agency continues to process post-entitlement updates that affect payments.
Medi-Cal Coverage for SSI Recipients
In California, anyone who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is usually eligible for Medi-Cal automatically. The two programs are closely linked, so there’s no need to submit a separate Medi-Cal application if you already receive SSI benefits.
During the federal government shutdown, that connection remains intact. SSI recipients will continue to have access to Medi-Cal coverage for doctor visits, prescriptions, and other medical services without interruption. While Social Security offices are operating with limited staff, Medi-Cal questions and enrollment issues are handled by county social services offices, which remain open.
Californians who have concerns about their Medi-Cal eligibility or coverage can contact their local county office directly for assistance. The Social Security Administration’s focus during the shutdown is to keep benefit payments accurate and on time, while state and county offices manage ongoing Medi-Cal services.
Dr. Jennifer Trimpey
CalFresh Benefits While Receiving SSI
Californians who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may also qualify for food assistance through CalFresh, the state’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The two programs are separate, but SSI recipients can still apply for CalFresh benefits to help offset grocery costs.
During the federal government shutdown, SSI recipients can continue to apply for CalFresh at their local Social Security office if all household members are either receiving or applying for SSI. Applications can also be submitted online through the California Department of Social Services website or at county social services offices, which remain open.
While Social Security offices are operating with reduced staffing, the ability to apply for CalFresh remains available because “applying for benefits” is considered an essential function under the agency’s contingency plan. Applicants should still expect longer processing times due to limited operations.
For most SSI households, CalFresh benefits can make a meaningful difference by covering part of a family’s food budget without affecting their SSI eligibility or monthly payment amount.
Pat Sharyon
What Social Security Can’t Do Right Now
While essential operations continue, many non-urgent Social Security services are paused until the federal government reopens. These suspended activities don’t affect the delivery of SSI or Social Security payments, but they may cause delays in resolving certain administrative issues.
During the shutdown, the Social Security Administration cannot issue proof-of-income letters, process overpayment adjustments, or correct earnings records that are not part of an active benefit claim. The agency has also suspended most Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) responses, public inquiries, and training or technology upgrades unrelated to direct payment processing.
In-person requests for replacement Medicare cards are also unavailable. Californians who need a replacement card can still request one online through their my Social Security account, which remains fully operational during the shutdown.
These limitations are part of SSA’s contingency plan, which restricts activity to functions that are legally required or necessary to protect life, property, or the timely delivery of benefits.
Behind the Scenes: Why Payments Keep Coming
Even as other federal services slow or stop during a government shutdown, SSI payments keep arriving because of how they’re funded and administered. The programs that provide Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits operate through permanent or multi-year appropriations that don’t lapse when Congress fails to pass new funding.
Under federal law, SSA can continue essential operations that are “necessarily implied” by the need to deliver these benefits. That includes maintaining the technology systems that issue payments, handling fraud prevention, and retaining staff in field offices to process claims, appeals, and critical updates.
According to the agency’s contingency plan, more than 45,000 Social Security employees are designated as “excepted” from furloughs to ensure that payments remain accurate and on time. These staff members oversee direct-service operations such as benefit distribution, IT maintenance, and hearing schedules. By law, these functions fall under the protection of life and property, giving SSA the authority to continue them even when most other federal operations are paused.
If You Need Help
Although Social Security offices are offering limited services during the shutdown, Californians still have several ways to get assistance with their SSI or related benefits.
The quickest option is to use a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov/myaccount. Through this portal, you can request benefit verification letters, update your information, check payment details, and replace Medicare cards. These online tools remain fully available despite the shutdown.
For those who need to speak directly with an SSA representative, the national toll-free line—1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)—is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Callers should expect longer wait times due to reduced staffing. For faster service, SSA recommends calling early in the day or later in the week when call volumes are lower.
Local Social Security offices across California are open for essential services only. If you need to replace a missing payment, update your living arrangement, or apply for benefits, those requests will still be handled. Medi-Cal or CalFresh questions, however, should be directed to your county social services office, which remains open during the shutdown.
