Annual funding for some government agencies, including portions of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), expires at midnight tonight—December 20, 2024. In preparation for a potential government shutdown, the VA is preparing for all probabilities to include the possibility of a lapse in funding. This lapse would mean that some portions of the government would cease certain functions due to the lack of funding.
We know that this situation can cause stress and some confusion on whether veterans health care services and benefits will continue to be delivered. Please be assured that most essential VA operations will continue without interruption if there is a shutdown. Thanks to DAV’s advocacy efforts years prior, VA benefits payments and health care are funded through advance appropriation, meaning that no veteran, surviving spouse or dependent eligible to receive VA benefits will miss a payment.
VA projects that most of its work force would be fully funded or continue to perform expected functions during a shutdown. The Veterans Crisis Line will continue operating uninterrupted, burials and interments at veterans cemeteries will continue, as will many other essential services.
The possibility of a government shutdown should not sound the alarm to the potential of veterans losing the hard-earned benefits they deserve. We hope that Congress can work together in a bipartisan way to prevent a shutdown that impacts any of VA’s services.
Details on VA’s Contingency Plan for a potential lapse in appropriations can be found here.