Fact check: How does the continuing resolution impact social security and Medicare services?

1. What advocates and agencies are actually saying about payments — uninterrupted but nuanced

Federal agencies and reporting consistently state that Social Security and Medicare benefits continue to be paid during the lapse in appropriations because they are statutory mandatory programs. Multiple briefings and news pieces emphasize that checks and regular Medicare coverage remain in force, even as office functions are curtailed. This consensus appears across statements from a Member of Congress and mainstream outlets, establishing the clear baseline that beneficiaries will receive scheduled payments and that coverage remains active during the shutdown period ^{[1] [4] [3]}.

2. Where the disruption shows up: administrative services and staff availability

While payments continue, some operational services tied to discretionary funding are limited or paused, including routine in-person services, replacement Medicare cards, verification tasks, and certain SSA office functions. The Social Security Administration furloughed an estimated share of its workforce, reducing capacity for non-essential tasks and slowing responses to inquiries or requests that rely on on-the-ground staff. The reductions mean beneficiaries may face longer waits or have to postpone administrative actions unrelated to benefit disbursement ^{[2] [5]}.

3. Medicare claims processing: CMS lifted most holds but left gaps around telehealth

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services directed Medicare Administrative Contractors to lift most claims holds and resume processing payments for services from October 1, 2025, including those under the Physician Fee Schedule. CMS explicitly excluded payment for telehealth claims that it could not verify as behavioral or mental health care during the shutdown, so certain telehealth reimbursements remain on hold. This selective resumption shows targeted operational discretion by CMS to prioritize broad payment flows while managing verification risks ^[6].

4. The Continuing Resolution’s role: funding runway but not program design changes

A House-passed clean Continuing Resolution to fund the government through November 21 preserves current funding levels and would generally prevent deeper disruption if enacted, but the measure itself does not change Social Security or Medicare program rules. The CR’s primary effect is to maintain discretionary funding lines that support agency operations; its passage or failure alters administrative capacity rather than the legal status of benefit payments. The CR’s movement to the Senate suggests continued political risk to agency functioning even as mandatory payments remain legally protected ^[7].

5. Timing effects: open enrollment and the COLA announcement complications

Even with benefits continuing, timing and communication around annual processes have been affected. Open enrollment for Medicare began October 15 and is expected to proceed, but some outreach or administrative verifications may be hampered. The government shutdown also delayed the public announcement of the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, though the COLA itself is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. These calendar disruptions highlight how a shutdown can interrupt consumer-facing administrative events without stopping payments ^{[1] [8]}.

6. Practical consequences for beneficiaries trying to interact with agencies

Beneficiaries will likely receive money and coverage but encounter friction when seeking services: fewer staffed local offices, slower phone and mail responses, delayed replacement documents, and potential denials of some claims requiring extra verification. Media coverage and agency briefings note that essential functions and payments are prioritized, but those needing in-person assistance or non-routine transactions should expect delays and consider using online tools where available. These operational constraints impose practical burdens even in the absence of payment interruptions ^{[9] [5]}.

7. What the sources emphasize and possible agendas to note

The available analyses converge on the core factual point that payments continue, but differ in emphasis: agency briefings and some Congressional statements underscore continuity to reassure beneficiaries, while news outlets highlight service limitations and consumer impacts. The framing from officials aims to minimize panic about benefit cuts, whereas media pieces stress user experience and delays. Readers should recognize these different emphases as communication strategies reflecting institutional reassurance versus consumer-focused reporting ^{[1] [3] [2]}.

8. Bottom line for beneficiaries and short-term planning steps

The clear, evidence-based bottom line is that Social Security and Medicare payments and coverage persist, but administrative friction may complicate interactions; beneficiaries relying on prompt replacements, verifications, or telehealth reimbursements should prepare for delays. Actions to mitigate disruption include confirming direct-deposit arrangements, using online portals for simple updates, documenting claims and communications, and anticipating slower agency response times until appropriations are restored. This combined view draws from agency directives, congressional updates, and reporting on ground-level service impacts ^{[6] [1] [2]}.