RRB Offices Remain Open During Shutdown

During the lapse in federal funding, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced that most ongoing annuity and benefit payments will continue and all RRB offices are expected to remain open.

RRB field offices will continue to accept new claims for unemployment and sickness benefits, as well as new applications for retirement, survivor, and disability annuities. Persons receiving ongoing annuity and benefit payments are still required to report any events that would affect their payment eligibility. Regular benefits, including vested dual benefits, will continue to be paid on the first of the month.

Individuals may contact an agency representative by calling the RRB’s toll-free telephone number (1-877-772-5772) or sending a secure message using the link on each field office’s webpage at RRB.gov. Customers can use the Field Office Locator tab on the RRB.gov home page to access each field office’s web page and contact information.

Individuals may obtain services 24 hours a day by accessing the automated menus available through the toll-free number and the myRRB system on the agency website. Answers to frequently asked questions regarding railroad retirement annuities and unemployment and sickness benefits can be found by clicking the FAQ link on the website.

The RRB, an independent federal agency headquartered in Chicago, pays more than $14.6 billion each year in benefits under the federal Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts, which cover the nation’s railroad workers and their families.