The Thomas H. Corey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Riviera Beach, Florida on April 3, 2025.

The majority of the Department of Veterans Affairs will continuing operating without interruption if a government shutdown starts on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Congressional leaders have failed to agree on funding legislation necessary for the U.S. government's 2026 fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1. President Donald Trump and other top officials met in a private White House gathering on Monday, Sept. 29, but no final decisions were made.

Republicans have advocated for extending current government funding through Nov. 21, but Democrats are pushing for health care access and subsidies to be part of a deal.

If lawmakers don't enact funding by 12:01 a.m. ET on Oct. 1, the government will partially shutdown. Essential resources, like the U.S. Postal Service, will continue. But "non-essential" services and workers will be impacted, including National Parks. On Tuesday, Sept. 30, Trump told reporters that he may lay off "a lot" of federal workers if a shutdown is implemented.

Here's how a government shutdown would impact the VA.

Will the Department of Veterans Affairs close under a government shutdown?

The VA estimates that 97% of its employees continue work during a shutdown. According to the VA's contingency plan, here's what services would not be impacted:

  • VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Centers and Vet Centers will remain open, providing all services.
  • VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education and housing benefits.
  • Burials will continue at VA cemeteries.
  • The Board of Veterans' Appeals will continue decisions on veterans' cases.
  • VA's primary call center and the Veterans Crisis Line will remain open 24/7. The VA Benefit Hotline will remain open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
  • Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services and caregiver support will continue.

What VA services are impacted during a government shutdown?

According to the VA's contingency plan, the following services are impacted during a shutdown:

  • VA will stop providing transition program assistant and career counseling.
  • VA's GI Bill and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance hotlines will be closed.
  • VA benefits regional offices will be closed.
  • Public affairs and outreach to veterans will cease, including social media, VetResources emails and responses to press inquires.
  • No grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries.
  • Applications for pre-need burial at VA cemeteries won't be processed.
  • No printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates.
  • Not outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based and community-based partners by VA Center Office.

What is a government shutdown?

Each fiscal year, Congress approves funding for federal agencies. If Congress can't agree on this funding legislation, or temporary efforts known as continuing resolutions, federal agencies must shut down or stop normal spending, according to the United States Office of Personnel Management.

When could a government shutdown happen?

The current funding for the government expires at midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30. A government shutdown could start at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

How long does a government shutdown last?

The federal government has shut down 21 times since 1977. Based on these, an average shutdown lasts about eight days.

The longest government shutdown in the last 50 years was under the first Trump administration from December 2018 to January 2019. It lasted 35 days.

Contributing: Saman Shafiq and Terry Moseley, USA TODAY

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How is Veterans Affairs impacted by a government shutdown? See service disruptions.

Reporting by Greta Cross, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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