One week into the ongoing federal government shutdown, Kansas officials are detailing how services for veterans are being affected across the state.
Bill Turner, Director of the Kansas Department of Veteran Services, confirms that while several federal-level programs are temporarily halted, all state-managed veteran services remain fully operational. That includes the state’s veteran homes, cemeteries, and service representative offices.
According to the department’s website, the following federal services remain unaffected by the shutdown:
• VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers are open and providing all services.
• VA benefits such as compensation, pension, education, and housing continue to be processed and delivered.
• Burials at VA national cemeteries and applications for markers and headstones will continue.
• The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is still issuing decisions.
• Call centers, including the Veterans Crisis Line, remain open 24/7.
• Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services, and caregiver support are ongoing.
However, other federal programs and operations have been suspended until the shutdown ends, including:
• Transition assistance and career counseling services for veterans.
• VA regional offices and some call centers, including GI Bill and National Cemetery hotlines.
• Public Affairs and unfunded outreach, such as press responses and Vet Resources emails.
• Grounds maintenance and headstone placement at VA cemeteries.
• Applications for pre-need burial and new Presidential Memorial Certificates.
• Outreach to local, tribal, and community partners by VA Central Office.
Eric Rohleder, Deputy Director of the Kansas Office of Veteran Services, said his office has received calls from concerned veterans but assured that Kansas’ state-level operations remain stable.
Congress continues to debate a government spending bill that would end the shutdown and restore full operations to affected federal agencies.