The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will continue its healthcare for the country's veterans during the shutdown. How will Philadelphia's region be impacted? (Credit: Google StreetView)
As an Oct. 1 deadline came and went without resolution, the federal government has officially shut down. As of midnight, multiple entities have paused operations. Without the necessary appropriations, or approvals for funding, the departments of the federal government cannot go on functioning.
The governmental shutdown isn’t just something that impacts Washington, D.C. The Philadelphia region, including Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Bucks counties, will also see the effects of the shutdown on a local level.
With senators away through Friday, the shutdown is said to continue at least until then. The senate’s GOP leadership is reportedly allowing the break in observance of Yom Kippur. With at least a few days without funding, unpaid employees, and limited or closed services, many area residents are left wondering what is open and what is closed.
Philadelphia’s veterans can rest easy, according to Rita Chappelle, the Chief of External and Congressional Affairs, Outreach, and Media with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Philadelphia VA Healthcare System.
“Our hospital, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers remain open to provide the high quality care and services our Veterans have earned,” said Chappelle. Philadelphia’s Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (CMCVAMC) provides healthcare to veterans living in America’s sixth-largest metropolitan area. The region includes the city of Philadelphia, as well as six surrounding counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.
The Philadelphia VA Center services nearly 58,000 veterans in the region, according to its website. And, it is not just the VA Center itself that will remain functional for area vets.
“Benefits, burials, and other services will also continue,” said Chappelle. “There are a few areas, as outlined above in the chart, where services will be on hold due to the Federal Government shutdown.”
A Veterans Field Guide to Governmental Shutdown (Credit: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) According to the chart supplied by Chappelle, there are services that veterans cannot rely on during the shutdown. Those functions and services which are reportedly unavailable include:
Those concerned about veterans’ benefits need not worry. Benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including all compensation, pensions, education funding, and housing benefits.
According to Chappelle, the burials will continue at VA national cemeteries, despite a lack of ground maintenance and placement of permanent headstones. Applications for the headstones, marks, and burial benefits, however, will be processed throughout the shutdown.
All suicide prevention programs, homelessness services, and caregiver support will continue, including primary call centers (1-800-MYVA411) and the Veterans’ Crisis Line (Dial 988, and press 1), which will remain open 24/7.
If any veterans, their families, or survivors are confused about what may be accessible, open, or functional, there is a VA Resources number open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, including during the full government shutdown. Call 1-800-MYVA411 (or 1-800-698-2411).
According to the provided chart, emailed by Chappelle, the services that will remain open or closed are subject to change pending the length of the shutdown.
“In the event of a prolonged shutdown, VA will continue to review and update its plan in conjunction with the applicable legal requirements and circumstances,” notes the chart at its bottom. “Please visit www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ or www.VA.gov for updated information.”
