Military Resources During Government Shutdown

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 loans for Soldiers and their families impacted by pay disruptions.
Navy-Marine Corps: The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) assists active-duty service members and their families with immediate financial needs.
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 loans to help with essential bills.

Credit Union & Bank Assistance:

Please check bank webpages for the most current information on what they are offering during the shutdown.

USAA: Loans are available for customers who work for a federal agency that is affected by the shutdown, and they use direct deposit for their pay from the government.
Navy Federal Credit Union: Loans are available to active-duty service members, federal government employees, and contractors paid directly by the federal government.

Other Assistance Organizations:

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): Financial grants to active-duty service members and their families experiencing unexpected hardship due to military-related activity.
American Red Cross: Financial assistance and support to military families; contact your local chapter to process military aid society requests.
American Legion: Temporary financial assistance program through the American Legion Veterans and Children Foundation.
Operation Homefront: This nonprofit organization provides short-term critical financial assistance to military families in need.

Food and Other Basic Needs:

Commissaries and Exchanges: Commissaries (military grocery stores) and exchanges (e.g., AAFES) generally stay open during a shutdown, though commissaries could be affected if the shutdown lasts for months.
Food Pantries: Community organizations, such as the Armed Services YMCA and Feeding America, operate food pantries and meal programs for military families. Stronghold Food Pantry also supports military families and has seen an increase in requests during the 2025 shutdown.
Rental/Utility assistance: Organizations like USA Cares and Operation Homefront provide emergency assistance for essential bills. It is also recommended that military families contact their landlords and utility companies to inform them of pay disruption and ask for deferrals or payment options.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program provides financial assistance to pay heating or cooling bills for qualifying individuals.

Healthcare:

Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs): On-base medical and dental facilities remain open for emergency and urgent care. However, elective or routine appointments may be postponed or canceled.
TRICARE: Healthcare services in the private sector through TRICARE are not affected by a government shutdown.
VA Healthcare: Medical facilities and clinics under the Department of Veterans Affairs remain fully operational.

Family Support and Counseling:

Military OneSource: This resource remains fully operational 24/7, offering confidential non-medical counseling, financial coaching, tax services (MilTax), and other family support.
Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC): MFLC programs continue to operate during a shutdown and are available for service members and their families.
Installation Support: Base-specific services like Child Development Centers (CDCs) and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs are generally determined by the installation commander. Many remain open, but staffing and services may be limited.

Important Considerations:

Communication with creditors: Inform your landlord, mortgage lender, and utility providers about a potential disruption in pay to request extensions or special payment arrangements.
Contact local resources: Check with your installation's Family Readiness Center or other on-base support agencies for the latest information on locally available services and resources.
Avoid scams: Be cautious of individuals and groups exploiting the shutdown. Use official military aid societies and reputable organizations for assistance.