VA Claims Academy Helps Veterans Understand Impact of Government Shutdown

VA Claims Academy helps veterans who are not receiving the disability benefits they are legally entitled to. And with the government shutdown stoking fears of VA benefits interruptions, the Academy is helping veterans sort out which benefits and services will and won’t be affected.

According to Jordan Anderson, CEO and Founder of VA Claims Academy, “While many Americans are feeling the effects of this shutdown, veterans can rest assured that their VA benefits will continue without interruption, and if they are in the process of seeking a VA disability increase, the claims process will continue as usual.”

Anderson explained that the VA is one of the few agencies that remains fully operational, thanks to advance appropriations. As such, VA disability compensation, pension payments, education benefits (including the GI bill), housing benefits, and medical care at all VA facilities (including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and Vet Center counseling centers) will remain unaffected by the shutdown.

In spite of this consistency for veterans, Anderson expressed concern about active-duty service members who could miss their paychecks on the next military pay day – October 15 — if the government does not pass critical funding legislation.

“This could be devastating for all military members, especially our most junior troops who have not yet been able to build a financial reserve and are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Anderson.

The shutdown began October 1, 2025, freezing pay for government workers and military members. Thanks to a special legal provision, the VA can continue to run on money previously appropriated. This has kept about 97% of VA employees on the job, where they can continue to review, process, and approve veterans’ claims for disability benefits. This is refreshing news for those waiting for disability claims reviews. The VA currently has a backlog of more than 134,000 cases, which translates into many veterans waiting months and even years to receive the benefits they deserve.

On the other hand, VA regional benefits offices are closed to walk-ins, and some call centers, like the GI Bill hotline, are closed. Transition assistance programs are suspended, and some ground maintenance at military centers is paused.

Anderson and his team at VA Claims Academy will continue at full capacity, providing veterans claims assistance through educational resources and personalized advising.

“At VA Claims Academy, we’re committed to helping veterans navigate the claims process regardless of what’s happening in Washington,” said Anderson. As a disabled veteran, Anderson launched VA Claims Academy after trying to navigate the cryptic and backlogged military claims process. He ended up losing $15,000 to VA assistance services, which failed to help him get an accurate VA disability rating, and losing countless hours trying to make sense of the VA’s claim process.

“I felt completely defeated and demoralized by a government system that was making me jump through so many hoops just to get the benefits I had earned,” said Anderson.

Through VA Claims Academy, he helps veterans avoid similar stresses and frustrations and find a clear path to the appropriate VA benefits. He does this by teaching them to “speak VA,” incorporating the wording and evidence the VA needs to see to approve their claim.

Anderson reminded veterans that the Veterans Crisis Line will remain open during the shutdown and can be reached at 988, #1. He advised veterans who are underrated by the VA to contact VA Claims Academy at (737) -309-4356 or www.vaclaims-academy.com.

About VA Claims Academy

VA Claims Academy provides an affordable online educational program that helps veterans who are underrated for VA benefits. Their courses, resources, and community support are crafted to provide their clients with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the VA system confidently.