What does a Government Shutdown Mean for VA Education Benefits?

09/29/2023

Congress must pass some form of funding plan by September 30th to avert a government shutdown. As time dwindles, the odds of a shutdown continue to grow, which has student veterans, military-connected students, family members, and survivors wondering what a government shutdown means for their VA education benefits.

The good news is that VA education benefits are expected to continue even if the government shuts down. These and a host of other VA benefits and major services, such as health care, will remain available. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, recently commented on how a government shutdown will impact VA.

In the case of a government shutdown, there would be no impact on Veteran health care; burials would continue at VA national cemeteries; VA would continue to process and deliver all benefits to Veterans – including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits; and the Board would continue to process appeals. However, we would not be able to conduct outreach to Veterans, our public-facing regional offices would be closed, and many regular operations – such as career counseling, transition assistance, and cemetery grounds maintenance – would not be available.Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

While major VA benefits and services are expected to continue through a government shutdown, some functions will lapse including:

The Education Call Center (the GI Bill hotline: 888-GIBILL-1 or 888-442-4551)
Career counseling, including access to VR&E counselors
Transition assistance

Additional information about how a government shutdown will impact VA benefits and services, including a full list of VA functions that will cease, can be found in the Department’s recently released contingency plan.

SVA will continue to monitor the government funding situation and communicate important developments to our chapter members. Be sure to follow us on social media and check our website for updates.

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