Missing a paycheck can be a financial disaster for some. During a government shutdown, your pay may be delayed for one or more pay periods. Listed below are resources and information that may help you during this time of uncertainty.
Interest Free Payday Loans: Some financial institutions will offer a zero-interest loan that covers part or all of your normal direct deposit. Check with your financial institution to see if they offer any type of relief if you are impacted by the government shutdown.
USAA: USAA members can apply for a no-interest loan equivalent to one missed paycheck (up to $6,000) if they are employed by an impacted federal agency.
EANGUS: We Care for America Foundation is a National Guard Relief Foundation that offers grants and loans for Service members (enlisted and officer). More information can be found at https://eangus-wcfa.org/
PenFed: Members may qualify for an interest-free loan in the amount of their net pay (up to $6,000) through its government furlough Direct Deposit Assistance program. PenFed also offers an emergency relief loan at the lowest available rate for a personal loan product.
Thrift Savings Plan: will continue its normal daily operations and the ThriftLine will remain open. The TSP will post additional information on www.tsp.gov/shutdown, if a lapse in appropriations occurs.
Military OneSource, Personal Financial Counselors and Military Family Life Counselor services: will continue to provide career, financial and non-medical counseling as these services are paid by already funded contracts. Visit https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society: available to assist with immediate needs such as basic living expenses like food, gas, utilities if a paycheck protection option is not available from your financial institution. They can help even if you have a current loan with NMCRS. https://www.nmcrs.org/locations
VFW Unmet Needs Program: available to help America's active-duty service members (to include activated Guard/Reserve members) and their families who have run into unexpected financial difficulties because of deployment or other military-related activity or injury. The program provides financial assistance up to $2,500 to assist daily necessities in the form of a grant – not a loan – so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, we pay the creditor(s) directly. Visit: https://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants
Military Aid Societies
Each service branch has a dedicated aid society that provides interest-free loans or grants for urgent financial needs, such as food, rent, and utilities.
Army: Army Emergency Relief (AER) provides no-interest loans for Soldiers and their families impacted by pay disruptions.
Air Force/Space Force: The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) supports airmen, Guardians, and their families with emergency financial assistance.
Coast Guard: Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) offers interest-free loans to help with essential bills.
American Red Cross: The Hero Care program can help connect military families with their service-specific aid society for financial support.
Operation Homefront: This nonprofit organization provides short-term critical financial assistance to military families in need.
Navy-Marine Corps: The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) assists active-duty service members and their families with immediate financial needs.