government shutdown resources

Categories:

Financial Literacy

Government Shutdown Resources

October 21, 2025

A government shutdown can feel stressful. With it comes financial uncertainty for servicemembers, federal employees, and their families. Thankfully, there are some resources available.

Shutdown Resources for Military Families

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.

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 account holders who work for a federal agency that is affected by the shutdown, and who use direct deposit for their pay from the government. Additional requirements may apply.
  • Navy Federal Credit Union: Loans are available to account holders who are active-duty service members, federal government employees, or contractors paid directly by the federal government. Additional requirements may apply.

Other Assistance Organizations for Active Duty and/or Veterans

  • American Red Cross: Financial assistance and support to active-duty military families and retirees; contact your local chapter to process military aid society requests.
  • American Legion: The Temporary Financial Assistance program through the American Legion offers grants to support minor children of active duty servicemembers and American Legion members in times of need.
  • 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 hours a day, seven days a week, 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.

Shutdown Resources for Federal Employees

  • Federal Employee Education & Assistance Funds (FEEA): FEEA has both an Emergency Hardship Loan program and Shutdown Grants available for qualifying full-time federal civilian employees. It is important to note the differences between the two programs,
  • State Unemployment Office: Unemployment benefit qualifications may vary by state. You can find links to individual state sites at Government Shutdown: 10 Essential Resources for Feds .
  • Local Food Banks: Local food banks can be located through Feeding America.

Many Credit Unions are Offering 0% APR loans

State Unemployment Sites

Contact your local utility companies for payment plans, extensions, and waivers. Some credit card and loan companies may offer special assistance during the shutdown, including deferred payments, late fee waivers, and more. It’s important to check your financial institutions’ websites for details.

For assistance in understanding the grace period on your Navy Mutual policy or to explore other payment options when affected by a government shutdown, please call a Navy Mutual customer service representative at 800-628-6011.