It is a tense feeling that usually starts about two weeks before a fiscal deadline. You see the headlines scrolling on the news at the DFAC or on your phone while waiting for formation. Politicians are arguing. The clock is ticking toward midnight on September 30th. For everyone else, it’s a political drama. For you? It’s a question of whether your mortgage gets paid on time. If the government shuts down will the military get paid?
Honestly, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on when the shutdown happens and, more importantly, whether Congress decides to be functional for five minutes to pass a specific piece of legislation.
Most people assume that because the military is "essential," the paychecks just keep flowing. That is a myth. While you are definitely expected to show up for work—because duty doesn't have a pause button—the accounting software at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) literally cannot legally "push" the button to send your money unless there is an active appropriation or a specific law in place. It's a legal quirk of the Antideficiency Act. This law prevents the government from spending money it hasn't officially been given.
The Paycheck Gap: Why Being Essential Doesn't Mean Being Paid
Let’s get the scary part out of the way first. If a shutdown begins and no special "Pay Our Military" act is passed, your pay stops. You still work. You still stand watch. You still deploy. But the money doesn't hit the bank.
We saw this happen back in 2013. During that 16-day shutdown, there was a massive scramble. Eventually, the Pay Our Military Act was signed into law right as the shutdown began, which ensured that active-duty members, as well as some reservists and civilians, kept getting their checks. But that isn't a guarantee for the future. Every shutdown is its own unique brand of chaos.
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Think about the timing. The military gets paid on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If the government shuts down on October 1st, you’ve actually already "earned" the money for the previous two weeks. However, if the funding isn't there on the 1st, DFAS might not be able to process the payment. If the shutdown lasts only a few days, you might see a delay of just 48 to 72 hours. But if it drags on? You’re looking at a $0.00 LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) until the politicians reach a deal.
What About the Coast Guard?
Here is a weird, frustrating distinction that a lot of people forget. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force fall under the Department of Defense (DoD). The Coast Guard? They are Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
During the record-breaking 35-day shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019, DoD was already funded by a separate bill. The Coast Guard wasn't. While the other branches were getting paid as usual, Coast Guard families were literally visiting food pantries. It was a mess. It showed the world that "military" isn't a monolith when it comes to the federal budget. If you're wearing a Coast Guard uniform, your situation is often much more precarious during these budget standoffs because DHS is frequently a sticking point in border security debates.
The Role of Military Relief Societies
When the "if the government shuts down will the military get paid" question turns into a "no," the relief societies step up. Organizations like Army Emergency Relief (AER), the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), and the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) have protocols for this.
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They know the drill. During past scares, they’ve offered no-interest loans to cover basic living expenses. It’s not a permanent fix, but it keeps the lights on. They usually focus on junior enlisted members first because, let’s be real, a PFC with a spouse and two kids has a lot less wiggle room than a Colonel with twenty years of savings.
Banks That Actually Help
It’s worth noting that some military-affiliated banks are better than others during a crisis. USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union have a history of "fronting" pay. Basically, they look at your previous direct deposit and credit your account that amount even if the government hasn't sent the funds yet.
But be careful. They don't always do this automatically for every single shutdown. You usually have to have direct deposit set up with them already. It’s essentially a 0% interest advance that they recoup once the government finally pays you back. If you bank with a big national chain that doesn't specialize in military accounts, don't expect them to be that generous. They’ll likely just charge you an overdraft fee and say, "Sorry, call your Congressman."
The Impact on Civilians and Contractors
While the focus is usually on the troops, the civilian workforce gets hit differently. Many are "furloughed." This means they are told to stay home and not work. They don't get paid during the shutdown, though historically, Congress has always passed back-pay legislation once the lights come back on.
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The real danger is for contractors. If you’re a civilian contractor working on base, your company might not have the cash flow to keep paying you if the government isn't paying their invoices. Unlike federal employees, contractors rarely get back-pay for lost hours. If the gate closes or the project halts, that money is just gone.
Retiring and VA Benefits
Here is a bit of good news. If you are a retiree or receiving VA disability, your payments are generally safer. VA disability and pension payments are funded through "multi-year" or "advance" appropriations. This means the money was actually approved a year in advance.
While a very long shutdown could eventually muck up the administrative side of the VA, the checks themselves usually keep flying out the door. The same goes for Social Security. It’s the active-duty "discretionary" spending that gets trapped in the political gears.
Practical Steps to Protect Your Wallet
Waiting for Washington to solve its problems is a bad financial strategy. You need a "shutdown plan" that lives in your desk drawer just in case.
- Build a "Buffer" Fund: Try to keep at least one month’s worth of basic expenses (rent/mortgage, groceries, gas) in a high-yield savings account. It sounds impossible on some pay grades, but even $20 a paycheck adds up.
- Know Your Bank’s Policy: Call your bank now. Ask them, "If the government shuts down and my direct deposit doesn't show up, do you offer a pay advance program?" Get the details. Do you have to sign up? Is there a fee?
- Audit Your Automatic Bills: If a shutdown looks imminent, consider turning off "auto-pay" for things that aren't essential. You don't want your last $100 going to a streaming service when you need it for eggs and milk.
- Communicate with Landlords Early: Most landlords near military bases understand the situation. If you tell them on the 28th that the 1st might be tight because of the government, they are much more likely to work with you than if you just disappear on rent day.
- Update Your Relief Society Info: Make sure you know where your local AER or NMCRS office is located on post. Have your ID and your most recent LES ready to go.
The reality of the "if the government shuts down will the military get paid" dilemma is that you will eventually get every penny you are owed. The government has never not paid its troops in the end. The problem is the "gap." Life doesn't pause just because a budget bill is stuck in committee.
Next time the news starts talking about "continuing resolutions" and "debt ceilings," don't panic, but don't ignore it either. Look at your bank balance and have a plan. The most dangerous thing you can do is assume the check will always show up on time just because you’re doing your job. Stay informed, keep a small stash of "shutdown cash," and make sure your family knows which credit union or relief society to turn to if the direct deposit hits $0.00.