Veterans services briefed committee on which VA services continue and which administrative functions are affected by federal lapse
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Summary
Kane County Veterans Services reported that many VA clinical services and benefits payments continue despite a federal lapse in appropriations, while several administrative and outreach functions have been curtailed; the office also flagged local veterans employed in federal roles who are affected by the shutdown.
Kane County Veterans Services told the Public Service Committee that core VA medical care and benefits payments are continuing, but some administrative and outreach functions have been affected by a federal lapse in appropriations.
Jake, the veterans services representative, told the committee that VA medical centers, outpatient clinics and Vet Centers remain open and that disability and pension payments continue. He listed services still operating (benefits payments, National Cemetery burial benefits and suicide prevention programs) and administrative activities that have been curtailed or paused, including some transition-care assistance, certain hotlines (the GI Bill hotline was reported closed), public affairs and grounds maintenance at some national cemeteries.
Jake warned the committee that the federal workforce disruption disproportionately affects veterans who work for federal agencies. He singled out aviation and air-traffic roles as locally significant, noting the potential for hardship among veterans who are furloughed from federal jobs. The veterans services office said it can help refer affected veterans to partner organizations for stopgap assistance.
The veterans representative also asked committee members to publicize Veterans Day events and other community ceremonies; the office is collecting event information for Kane County communications and social media.