South Jersey Veterans: What a Federal Government Shutdown Means For Your Care

If a federal government shutdown occurs, many core VA health and benefits services keep running. Below is a plain-language guide for Veterans and families in Gloucester County and across South Jersey, plus how our local team can help right away.

What keeps running

• VA Medical Centers, outpatient clinics, and Vet Centers remain open. Your scheduled appointments and walk-in urgent needs should continue as usual.
• Benefits processing and payments continue, including disability compensation, pension, education, and housing.
• The Veterans Crisis Line remains 24/7. Dial 988, then press 1.
• VA’s primary call center stays open at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411).
• Suicide prevention, homelessness services, caregiver support, and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals continue decisions.
• Burials at VA national cemeteries continue, and applications for headstones and burial benefits are processed.

What may pause or be limited

• VA benefits regional offices may close to in-person traffic.
• Some call centers may close, including the GI Bill line and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance line.
• Transition program assistance, career counseling, and some public affairs and outreach activities may pause.
• Some cemetery grounds maintenance tasks, placement of permanent headstones, and printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates may be delayed.
• Processing of new pre-need burial applications may pause.

South Jersey quick tips

• Keep your upcoming VA medical appointments unless you hear otherwise from your clinic.
• If you use VA-covered in-home care or skilled visits, plan for business as usual and keep your clinician’s contact information handy.
• For education benefits questions while the GI Bill line is closed, check your school certifying official or campus veterans office for status and paperwork support.
• If you are a surviving spouse or family member with a pending request, document dates and keep copies of any submissions in case follow-ups are needed when full operations resume.

If you need help now

• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1.
• General VA help: 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411).
• For local, non-emergency home care questions in South Jersey, BrightStar Care of Gloucester County can help coordinate personal care, respite, and skilled nursing visits around your VA plan of care and authorizations.

How BrightStar Care of Gloucester County can support you

• We work with Veterans and families on day-to-day care continuity, from personal care and companion support to skilled nursing and infusion visits.
• We can help you communicate schedule changes, missed-visit prevention plans, and documentation needs to your VA care team.
• Not sure who to contact about an authorization or renewal in the middle of a shutdown window? Call us and we will help you map the next steps.

Contact BrightStar Care of Gloucester County

BrightStar Care of Gloucester County
603 N Broad St Suite 201, Woodbury, NJ 08096
Call 856-442-9009
 

Source: VA Veterans Field Guide to Government Shutdown.