Support for Coast Guard Members During a 2025 Government Shutdown
Will Coast Guard members be paid during a government shutdown?
During a government shutdown, active-duty Coast Guard members do not receive their regular pay because the Coast Guard relies on federal funding, and when the government shuts down, those funds are temporarily unavailable. Coast Guard members and essential civilian employees must report to duty regardless, but their paychecks are delayed until the government reopens and back pay is authorized.
As of this update on Nov. 13, 2025, the federal government is open after a funding agreement was met.
However, the Coast Guard announced on Oct. 28 that its military service members will receive their next paycheck for November 1.
However, the Coast Guard announced on Oct. 13 that its military service members will receive their mid-month paycheck for October 15 and pay will be processed and deposited in their accounts between the 15th-17th.
The Coast Guard Foundation plays a critical role during these periods by continuing our existing support programs and, in this case, focusing on morale and wellness initiatives so that Coast Guard members and families have access to essential resources during these stressful times.
This support includes providing emergency disaster relief, tragedy assistance, and morale and wellness support, including mental resiliency programming, education grants for enlisted members, and more, so members and families have the resources they need. Distribution of all pending and approved grants and scholarships will continue without delay.
Additional resources are available to help Coast Guard families bridge the gap until paychecks resume. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) offers immediate, interest-free loans to cover essential needs such as housing, food, and childcare. Assistance—up to one month's Basic Housing Allowance — is available to active duty, civilian employees, reservists, NAF/WG employees, and cadets, and can be accessed here: https://www.cgmahq.org.
Financial institutions like Navy Federal Credit Union, USAA, First Command and other banks and credit unions may provide paycheck advances or short-term support until back pay is received.
By leveraging these resources alongside the Foundation’s programs, Coast Guard members and their families can maintain stability and focus on their critical missions during a government shutdown.
A message to our Coast Guard family:
The Coast Guard Foundation and our community of supporters nationwide appreciate your service and sacrifice. Please reach out with any questions about Coast Guard Foundation programs that we are offering during this time. Message us at shipmate@coastguardfoundation.org with any support questions. We’re here for you and your family during this stressful time.
Unit leadership:
Please let us know how your crews are doing. The Coast Guard Foundation will continue to work with the Coast Guard to meet your morale and wellness needs now, and always.
We will use this site to provide information to members as we learn about resources from businesses, non-profits and community organizations that offer assistance during the shutdown.
Resources for Coast Guard Members:
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance: Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) offers immediate, interest-free loans to cover essential needs such as housing, food, and childcare. Assistance—up to one month's Basic Housing Allowance — is available to active duty, civilian employees, reservists, NAF/WG employees, and cadets, and can be accessed here: cgmahq.org.
Navy Federal Credit Union: NFCU has a government shutdown assistance program. Eligible Navy Federal members seeking assistance in the event of a government shutdown are now able to enroll in the credit union's Paycheck Assistance Program, which could provide up to $6,000 in paycheck loans. For more information, visit the NFCU website here.
USAA: USAA's government shutdown program provides help with a no-interest loan equal to the amount of a member's net pay, up to $6,000. For more information, visit the USAA website here.
First Command: First Command's government shutdown assistance program offers a pay advance loan and several other options for financial relief. They will match the full amount of your normal government direct deposit. For more information, visit the First Command website here.
PenFed Credit Union offers special programs for their members impacted by the shutdown, including a no-interest loan equal to the amount of a paycheck, for customers who direct deposit into their PenFed checkinga account. For more information, visit the PenFed website here.
Armed Forces Mutual: Armed Forces Mutual offers some advice and guidance on getting through the shutdown and offers a $5,000 CAP Loan at a low interest rate and five year repayment window. For more information, visit the Armed Forces Mutual website here.
MyCG published a few articles with resources for all members:
