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Social Security

Yes, the federal government borrows Social Security funds

Student Loans

Yes, the debt ceiling deal requires student loan payments to restart

Several VERIFY readers asked what the debt ceiling deal means for their student loan payments. Here’s what borrowers need to know.
Debt Ceiling

VERIFYING 6 claims about the U.S. debt ceiling and potential default

What are the consequences if the U.S. defaults on its debt? Would a default impact Social Security or SNAP payments? VERIFY answers top questions.
Debt Ceiling

VERIFYING what a U.S. default could mean for your Social Security check

Could the government miss Social Security monthly payments if the U.S. defaults? Here’s what we can VERIFY.
Debt Ceiling

Will Congress get paid if the U.S. defaults? Why no one knows

The U.S. has never defaulted before over failure to raise the debt ceiling and there is no framework for prioritizing certain payments over others.
Debt Ceiling

No, the U.S. has never defaulted on its debt over failure to raise the debt ceiling

Experts say there have been other moments in history where the U.S. missed debt payments, but they were unrelated to the debt ceiling.
Debt Ceiling

Yes, Republicans lifted the debt ceiling without spending cuts under Trump

House Republicans say they won’t lift the debt ceiling unless President Biden agrees to cut spending. Viewers asked whether they had the same demands for Trump.
Debt Ceiling

Claim Republican debt ceiling bill cuts veterans’ benefits needs context

The bill calls for broad federal spending cuts, but doesn’t specify which departments would lose funding.
Debt Ceiling

U.S. debt ceiling and default: 5 Fast Facts

Several readers asked about the debt ceiling and what could happen if Congress doesn’t raise it before the U.S. defaults on its debt.
Debt Ceiling

No, the debt and the deficit are not the same thing

The two concepts are related and easily confused. Here’s the difference: