The US government entered a partial shutdown on January 31 after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement for several federal agencies before the deadline, raising concerns about how the impasse could affect key benefit programs, including Social Security. Some services, such as benefit verifications, processing overpayments, IT upgrades, and staff training, could be delayed. (REUTERS) However, Social Security payments in February will continue uninterrupted, according to the Social Security Administration and multiple expert analyses cited by CNN, Fox Business and AARP. Social Security checks will continue despite shutdown Social Security benefits — including retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — are classified as mandatory spending, meaning they are funded separately from the annual budget process that triggers shutdowns. “In the event of a lapse in appropriation, SSA will follow the contingency plan for continued activities,” the agency told CNN, adding that beneficiaries would continue receiving their payments even during a shutdown. AARP noted that Social Security draws from dedicated trust funds and payroll tax revenues approved by Congress in …