Shutdown

If the government shutdown lasts more than two weeks, the VA will not be making benefit payments.

If November 1, we do not receive our VA checks, we cannot pay our mortgage. We will be able to buy food and pay our utilities, just barely, with savings and with Karl's SSDI payment (Social Security Disability Insurance). We do not have much in savings right now because we fixed up this house when we bought it, depleting our savings. If on December 1, we do not receive our VA benefits, we will not be able to pay our mortgage. We will be able to pay our utilities, but I'm not sure if we will be able to afford to feed our children. We will not have any money for Christmas.

Sometimes people ask Karl what his long term plan is. They imply he needs a plan besides collecting the disability income he earned by getting injured in combat. Karl and I laugh about this. He won't be getting better. What is his plan supposed to be? Whenever we talk about this, I say, "if the government has failed to the point it isn't taking care of its veterans, we have bigger things to worry about."