VA announces furloughs for more employees as shutdown continues

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The ongoing government shutdown is affecting more federal employees.

Earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs issued a statement, saying nearly 37,000 of its workers are now furloughed or working without pay, representing almost 8% of the organization’s staff.

The VA also says more than 900,000 veterans are now not able to get help from the GI Bill hotline because it is not in operation.

The government shutdown has also closed dozens of regional VA benefits offices, and more than 150 VA cemeteries are going without regular ground maintenance or the placement of permanent headstones.

The VA does say that burials will continue despite the shutdown.