Will Military Members Get Paid if the Government Shuts Down?

When a government shutdown occurs, the primary concerns center on benefits and pay. Mainly, how will they be affected, your job status, and when you’ll get paid again.

More unique situations arise when it comes to military pay and compensation for Department of Defense contractors. If the government is partially shut down (meaning some agencies or departments have budget deals in place), some funding may still be available for military spending.

10/31/25 Update: Servicemembers have just recently received their military pay; however, due to the current shutdown (October 2025), there are no spending deals in place, so military members should not expect consistent or long-term stability regarding their pay until the shutdown ends. Policy Update: Both the Senate and the House have approved versions of the 2026 NDAA, which involves military-related funding. So, if lawmakers pass a reconciliation bill and it’s signed into law, several aspects of the Department of Defense (also referred to as the Department of War) will receive funding.

NOTE: We’ve updated this page with a list of available resources for federal employees.

I believe this article will provide all the answers you’re looking for regarding who and what is affected in a government shutdown.

Why Does the Government Shut Down?

First, let’s provide some background on the situation.

The most common reason the U.S. government shuts down is failing to pass an Appropriations Bill (essentially a budget). The next most common reason is reaching the Debt Ceiling, which limits the government’s ability to borrow money.

The US government is required to pass a spending bill each year. However, the government also needs to pass an Authorization bill to grant itself the authority to spend those funds. The military is funded through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Key Dates: The Federal Budget covers the Fiscal Year, which begins October 1st and expires September 30th. Without passing a new spending bill, the government will shut down. However, Congress can pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government operating temporarily; these can last anywhere from a few days to several months.

What Happens if the Government Shuts Down?

Each government shutdown is slightly different.

Each government shutdown is different. The Office of Management and Budget determines which agencies will be impacted.

Generally, these services continue:

• Military operations
• Air traffic controllers
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• Federal law enforcement
• Federally funded medical personnel

May be impacted:

• Traditional Guard and Reserve members
• Dual-status technicians
• Many DoD civilian employees
• Non-essential government services

In some instances, Congress has passed emergency funding bills to keep certain organizations operational while other parts of the government remain shut down. This emergency funding has included military pay in some years, but not in others.

We can’t tell you for certain how any given shutdown will impact government or military operations because each situation is unique. However, we can provide you with some examples from recent years.

Will Military Members Get Paid During a Government Shutdown?

The most recent government shutdown (October 2025) had some impact on the Department of Defense. This is because there was no funding bill in place for the military. However, there was some reallocation of funds during the first month of the shutdown. The shutdown from December 2018 to 2019 did not cause Department of Defense (DoD) members to miss a paycheck. That shutdown also saw the cancellation of many Guard and Reserve drill periods. This means that all military members, retirees, annuitants (survivor benefit recipients), and DoD civilian employees who fall under the DoD received their normal paychecks.

However, other members of the Uniformed Services that do not fall under the DoD were not funded under those government spending bills. That means members of the following organizations went without pay until the government shutdown was over:

• The US Coast Guard (USCG), which falls under the Department of Homeland Security,
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which falls under the United States Department of Commerce, and
• The Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, is dedicated to public health.

Most Recent Government Shutdowns and Impact on Military Pay & Benefits:

Thankfully, most military members were paid during the most recent government shutdown. However, military members have missed paychecks in some previous government shutdowns.

Here is a recent history of how government shutdowns impacted military pay and compensation:

Government Shutdown Dates	Shutdown Duration	Was Military Pay Impacted?
October 2025-present	30 Days	– DoD members received full pay and benefits. – Most Guard & Reserve units canceled training, and many DoD civilians were furloughed. – Uniformed Servicemembers not in the DoD were impacted (USCG, NOAA, USPHS).
December 2018–January 2019	35 Days	– DoD members received full pay and benefits. – Most Guard & Reserve units cancelled training and many DoD civilians were furloughed. – Uniformed Servicemembers not in the DoD were impacted (USCG, NOAA, USPHS).
Jan 20 – Jan 22, 2018	3 Days	No impact to military pay.
2013	16 Days	– Military pay was not impacted. However, DoD civilians and many dual-status technicians were furloughed. – Furloughed employees eventually received back pay.
Nov 14 – Nov 19, 1995, and Dec16, 1995, to Jan 6, 1996	5 Days, and 21 Days	– Military pay was delayed.

Other Ways a Government Shutdown May Impact Pay & Benefits

There is a difference between a full and partial government shutdown.

During a full government shutdown, it is possible that military personnel may not receive their full pay and benefits, including BAH and BAS. However, other benefits, such as health care, would generally be available.

When the DoD is fully funded before the shutdown, or if there is a partial government shutdown, there may be no impact on your military compensation, including your base pay or other benefits such as your BAS and BAH.

Again, this may apply differently to members of different organizations. Check with your parent government organization for further clarification.

Will Federal Employees Get Paid During a Government Shutdown?

Impact on Federal Employees

Government shutdowns can have a significant impact on federal employees. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, approximately 800,000 federal employees (about 25% of the federal workforce) went without pay.

Essential vs. Non-Essential Employees

• Essential employees: Required to work without pay during the shutdown
• Furloughed employees: Not required to work and receive no pay

Almost half of the 800,000 affected employees were still required to attend work without pay. The remaining were furloughed, meaning they kept their jobs but couldn’t work and weren’t being paid.

Some government employees may not be required to report to work.

If a funding bill is not passed, most government employees will be temporarily furloughed and will not be required to work until a spending bill is passed. However, there are exemptions, especially for those whose work is required for national security, including most military members.

In previous shutdowns, some military members were not required to report to work. These groups of military personnel will be categorized into exempt and non-exempt groups. In war zones, humanitarian relief operations, and numerous critical fields, including medical, security, and transportation, will continue to receive support.

Will Federal Employees Receive Back Pay? 

Congress has authorized back pay after most previous government shutdowns, and there’s every indication this will continue. However, this doesn’t help those who need money immediately for rent, mortgages, and daily expenses.

Can Federal Employees Claim Unemployment Benefits During a Furlough?

Yes, most states allow furloughed government employees to claim unemployment benefits. However, most states also require recipients to repay the benefits if they later receive back pay from the government, which may result in a debt with your state employment office.

How does a government shutdown impact non-DoD federal employees and military contractors?

Many other government civilians will not receive pay during the shutdown, and many government and military support facilities will be closed. Check with your base for a list of current closings.

A government shutdown may also impact some government contracts if contractors are unable to access government facilities or perform their contracted duties.

What Happens to Other Federal Benefits During a Government Shutdown?

The government shutdown will only affect paychecks for government employees, whose salaries are funded through annual appropriations. Some military-related payments are made from a separate fund and are unlikely to be affected. The following payments are expected to continue without interruption during a government shutdown:

• Military retiree pay
• GI Bill benefits
• Veterans receiving monthly disability and compensation payments

Other Federal Benefits During Shutdowns

Military Health Care Benefits

Military healthcare benefits continue during shutdowns. DoD medical and dental care facilities remain operational and continue providing inpatient and outpatient care.

Veterans’ Health Benefits

VA healthcare facilities remain operational. However, some VA medical professionals who don’t work directly with patients may be furloughed (those involved with research or non-critical tasks).

What About VA Disability Compensation?

VA disability compensation continues during shutdowns, at least initially. During the 2013 shutdown, VA officials warned of potential delays in disability compensation if the shutdown lasted several weeks.

What about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.?

Certain mandatory, non-discretionary, and entitlement payments are unaffected. The government continues sending Social Security Benefits to recipients.

Medicare, Medicaid, and VA health care benefits continue during a shutdown, but payments for care may arrive later than normal. Be aware of this when planning non-emergency or low-priority medical care. Note that many non-emergency veteran healthcare services were curtailed during previous shutdowns.

Financial Assistance Programs

During government shutdowns, many financial institutions, service providers, and organizations offer assistance programs to support federal employees and military personnel who are affected. While specific programs and eligibility may vary by shutdown, the following types of assistance are typically available:

Banks & Credit Unions

Many financial institutions offer special assistance during shutdowns. If you’re affected by a shutdown, contact your bank or credit union to ask about:

• Emergency loans (often interest-free for short periods)
• Payment deferrals on mortgages, credit cards, and personal loans
• Waived late fees and penalties
• Special assistance hotlines for affected customers

Military-friendly institutions that have historically offered shutdown assistance:

• Navy Federal Credit Union – Special loan programs and payment assistance (1-888-842-6328)
• Pentagon Federal Credit Union – Various relief options for members
• USAA – Loan and credit card payment deferrals
• Congressional Federal Credit Union – Relief lines of credit (800-491-2328)
• Interior Federal Credit Union – Special loans for furloughed workers (800-914-8619)
• U.S. Employees Credit Union – Shutdown assistance programs (312-922-5310)

Major banks that have offered assistance in past shutdowns:

• Bank of America – Priority assistance line
• Chase Bank – Special assistance programs
• U.S. Bank – Late fee waivers, mortgage payment deferrals
• Wells Fargo – Multiple assistance options depending on services
• Truist – Relief programs for affected clients

Alternative financial services:

• PayPal Credit – Has offered interest-free cash advances ($250-$500) to furloughed workers in past shutdowns (1-877-689-1975)
• Synchrony Bank – Handles store cards for Amazon, Lowe’s, Walmart, JCPenney, and others; may allow payment deferrals

Credit union networks:

• Union Plus (for union members) – Various options including furlough grants, mortgage assistance, insurance payment grace periods (800-472-2005)

Auto Finance Companies

Auto lenders have historically offered payment extensions during shutdowns:

• Toyota Financial Services – Payment extensions or lease deferrals (800-874-8822)
• Lexus Financial Services – Payment assistance options (800-874-7050)
• Hyundai Capital – 30-day payment extensions (800-523-4030)
• Kia Motors Finance – Deferred payment options (866-331-5632)
• Ford Credit, GM Financial, Mercedes-Benz Financial – Payment deferrals and late fee waivers for qualified customers

Mobile Service Providers

Telecommunication companies typically offer assistance with:

• AT&T – Late fee adjustments, extensions, and revised payment schedules
• Sprint – Short-term payment solutions (888-211-4747)
• T-Mobile – Payment assistance and extended payment plans (877-746-0909 or 611)
• Verizon – Flexible payment options and Promise to Pay program (866-266-1445)

Housing Assistance

For Renters:

• National Rental Home Council – Represents major single-family rental operators; often offers deferred rent with no late fees to furloughed renters
• Your landlord – Contact directly to request payment assistance

For Homeowners:

• Contact your mortgage lender directly about payment deferrals
• OPM Sample Letters – The Office of Personnel Management provides template letters for federal workers to request help from landlords, mortgage lenders, and utilities

Food Assistance Resources

If you’re struggling to afford groceries during a shutdown:

• Feeding America – Nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 partner pantries serving every community across the United States. They typically begin serving federal employees immediately when shutdowns occur.
• Your school district – If you have children, notify the district of your furlough status. No income is considered an emergency and normally qualifies children for free breakfast and lunch programs, reducing your food expenses and stress.
• Local food banks and pantries – Search for community resources in your area

Insurance Relief Programs

Auto & Home Insurance:

• MetLife Auto & Home – May grant 30-day grace periods on premium payments (800-GET-MET8)
• Contact your insurance provider directly to inquire about shutdown assistance

Life Insurance:

• Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company – Has waived cost of insurance charges for policyholders during past shutdowns (844-800-9146 or 888-513-8797)

Federal Employee-Specific Resources

Grants:

• FEEA-NARFE Fund – Offers grants (typically $100-$300) to active federal employee members not receiving paychecks during shutdowns. Visit the FEEA website to apply.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP):

• TSP allows suspension of loan payments when you enter non-pay status
• Missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to default
• Log in to check your status or call the Thrift Line at 1-877-968-3778

Unemployment Insurance:

• Federal employees may be eligible for unemployment compensation administered by state unemployment insurance agencies
• Eligibility is determined by state law, not federal law
• Note: Most states require repayment if you receive back pay from the government

Other Assistance

• Rent-A-Center (Benefits Plus members) – May waive payments for involuntary unemployment (up to 4 months, up to $1,000)

Lessons Learned from the Last Government Shutdown

Government shutdowns should serve as a reminder to operate and budget appropriately, setting aside reserve funds in case you have to go without pay for a short period.

There were other problems:

Many members of the Guard and Reserves had their drills canceled, reducing their points for the year, and leaving them without their expected drill pay.

Numerous base activities and benefits were temporarily canceled or shut down. The Commissary, base exchange, child care, and other base benefits were unavailable.

In short, it was a nightmare for most military personnel and government employees. And here is the worst part: it can, and likely will, happen again.

Like the last few times dealing with the debt ceiling, the government placed a band-aid on the wound. They didn’t make a permanent fix. This issue has been ongoing for the last two years and is likely to persist unless the government implements a permanent solution.

In the meantime, it is up to all of us to do as much as possible to take control of our lives. Here are some tips we can all use to get on a better financial footing, so the next time something like this happens, it will still be an inconvenience, but hopefully, it won’t be catastrophic.

Taking Control of Our Finances

While we can’t control when or if government shutdowns occur, we can prepare ourselves to weather these storms. Here’s how to build financial resilience:

Build an Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is crucial for managing unexpected situations, such as government shutdowns. Start with a goal of $1,000, but don’t stop there.

How to build it:

• Start small: $25 per week or $50 per paycheck
• Automate transfers to a separate savings account
• Use tax refunds, bonuses, or extra income to boost the fund
• Only touch it for true emergencies

Your emergency fund helps you avoid relying on credit cards or high-interest loans during a crisis.

Reduce Your Debt

Debt limits your financial flexibility. Every dollar going to monthly debt payments is a dollar you can’t use for emergencies.

Priority actions:

• Pay off high-interest credit cards first
• Consider debt consolidation if beneficial
• Avoid new debt while building your emergency fund
• The less debt you have, the easier it is to weather periods without income

Increase Income

Additional income can supercharge your savings or debt reduction:

• Side businesses or hobbies that generate income
• Part-time work for spouses (if feasible)
• Freelance or contract work in your field
• Selling unused items to generate quick cash

Not everyone in the military can work part-time due to operational demands, but explore options that fit your situation.

Bank with Military-Friendly Institutions

Consider banking with institutions built to serve military and federal employees:

• Navy Federal Credit Union
• Pentagon Federal (PenFed) Credit Union
• USAA
• Congressional Federal Credit Union
• Interior Federal Credit Union

These institutions are member-owned (such as credit unions) or member-focused (like USAA), rather than shareholder-focused. They often offer:

• Low-interest or interest-free emergency loans during shutdowns
• Better customer service
• More competitive rates
• Fewer fees
• Specialized support during PCS moves or deployments

Stay Informed

Government shutdowns don’t happen overnight. There’s typically news in the weeks leading up to them.

Be proactive:

• Follow news about budget negotiations and continuing resolutions
• If a shutdown seems likely, start preparing immediately
• Cut discretionary expenses where possible
• Build your emergency savings aggressively
• Research assistance programs in advance
• Preparing even one month in advance can significantly reduce stress

Additional Resources

For more detailed guidance on managing missed paychecks, see our article: “Dealing With a Missed Military Paycheck.” This resource provides specific tips for:

• Getting by on limited funds
• Contacting lenders, landlords, and utility companies
• Finding emergency financial assistance
• Protecting your credit during temporary financial hardship

Final Thoughts

Government shutdowns remain an unfortunate reality that affects hundreds of thousands of service members, federal employees, and their families. While we can’t prevent shutdowns, we can control how prepared we are to handle them.

Key takeaways:

1. Not all shutdowns impact military pay the same way—stay informed about your specific situation
2. Protected benefits (retirement, VA disability, Social Security) continue regardless
3. Many assistance programs become available during shutdowns—don’t hesitate to use them
4. Financial preparedness is your best defense—build an emergency fund and reduce debt
5. Military-friendly financial institutions offer valuable support during crises

The government shutdown experience has been an eye-opener for many, reinforcing the importance of taking control of our financial lives where possible. By following the advice in this article, you’ll be better positioned to handle future shutdowns with less stress and financial hardship.

Remember: You’re not alone in this. Reach out to your financial institutions, employer resources, and community organizations for support when you need it.

Ultimately, the government shutdown proved to be a significant inconvenience for many individuals. And that is unfortunate because the shutdown harmed the people the government is supposed to protect. That makes for an eye-opening experience for many of us. For me, it reinforced the need to take as much control as possible into my own hands.