Christine Lizotte

Benefit verification letters are a service provided by the Social Security Administration that act as a sort of income verification that is key to obtaining aid like housing assistance, fuel assistance, and help from nonprofits.

But during the shutdown, the agency says, people can only use either the automated phone service or online portal to get their letters.

Christine Lizotte, a claims representative for the agency in Auburn, Maine, said those systems don't work for everyone.

Agency employees say they're dealing with an uptick of frantic and upset callers as they work without pay.

Ashley Lopez, NPR News.