The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Dark146)
The federal government shut down early Wednesday morning after Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding for the 2026 fiscal year, forcing hundreds of thousands of federal employees into furloughs and disrupting services across multiple agencies. For Veterans, Service Members, and their families, the shutdown brings a mix of continuity in essential care and sharp interruptions in programs that many rely on.
For the VA, most operations will continue in California and elsewhere. Officials say 97 percent of VA employees remain on the job during a shutdown. Veterans can expect medical centers, outpatient clinics, and Vet Centers to stay open, while benefits such as disability compensation, pensions, education assistance, and housing support will continue to be processed. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is also expected to keep issuing decisions on cases. Programs addressing homelessness, suicide prevention, and caregiver support will not be interrupted.
The VA’s main call center (1-800-MyVA411) and the Veterans Crisis Line (988, Press 1) will continue to operate around the clock. The VA Benefits Hotline (1-800-827-1000) will remain open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
Still, some Veterans will feel the effects in other areas. VA regional offices are closed for the duration of the shutdown, meaning walk-in assistance is unavailable. Transition support and career counseling programs are suspended, and the VA’s GI Bill hotline has gone dark. Public outreach has also been halted, including social media updates, press inquiries, and the popular VetResources newsletter. At national cemeteries, burials will continue, but no new permanent headstones will be placed, and grounds maintenance is suspended.
The shutdown’s impact extends beyond the VA.
Active-duty Service Members will continue reporting for duty, but they face the prospect of missing paychecks if the funding standoff lasts beyond Oct. 15. Reserve and National Guard units will also see restrictions. While some Guard members on federal duty may continue working, others could see their assignments terminated unless deemed essential. Military travel and training orders may be delayed, especially when associated with permanent station changes or educational activities.
In terms of medical care, the DOD/DOW says inpatient services, emergency care, and acute outpatient care will remain available. Elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures, however, may be delayed. TRICARE coverage for military families will remain unaffected. Schools operated by the DOD/DOW Education Activity will stay open, but extracurricular activities are paused. Base childcare centers may face uneven closures depending on staffing levels.
The Department of Homeland Security is also bracing for strain. Roughly 40,000 active-duty Coast Guard members and 19,000 Border Patrol agents are still required to work without pay. Customs officers at ports of entry will also remain on duty without compensation.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.