Military Pay During a Government Shutdown: What Happens and How to Prepare

Will You Get Paid During a Government Shutdown?

Every time Congress fails to pass a budget or continuing resolution by the fiscal deadline, the same question echoes through military communities: Will I still get paid during a government shutdown? It's a legitimate concern — your mortgage, car payment, and grocery bills don't pause just because politicians in Washington can't agree on spending.

The short answer is: it depends on the type of shutdown and how long it lasts. But the full picture is more nuanced. In this guide, we'll break down exactly what happens to military pay, allowances, benefits, and support services during a government shutdown — and what you can do right now to prepare.

What Is a Government Shutdown?

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to enact appropriations legislation (a budget or continuing resolution) before the start of a new fiscal year on October 1, or when an existing funding measure expires. Without approved spending, federal agencies must cease non-essential operations and furlough employees.

However, the military occupies a unique position. Under the Pay Our Military Act (POMA), passed in 2013 and reinforced in subsequent legislation, active-duty service members are generally guaranteed to receive pay during a shutdown. This was a direct response to the 2013 shutdown, when pay for active-duty troops was briefly in jeopardy before Congress rushed to pass emergency legislation.

The Pay Our Military Act (POMA)

POMA ensures that funds for the pay and allowances of active-duty service members and reserve component members performing active service are available during a lapse in appropriations. This means that even if the government shuts down, your basic pay continues to flow.

But POMA has limits. It covers active-duty pay — not necessarily everything else in your compensation package, and not necessarily every category of military-affiliated worker.

What Continues During a Shutdown

Here's what typically keeps working during a government shutdown:

• Basic Pay: Active-duty service members continue to receive their regular paychecks under POMA.
• BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing): Housing allowances continue for active-duty members.
• BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence): Food allowances continue.
• Combat and Special Pays: Hostile fire pay, imminent danger pay, hardship duty pay, and other special pays continue for eligible members.
• TRICARE: Military health care continues for active-duty members and their families. Military treatment facilities remain open.
• Military Operations: Deployed forces continue their missions. National security operations are considered "excepted" activities.
• Commissaries: In recent shutdowns, commissaries on military installations have remained open, though hours may be reduced.

What Gets Disrupted During a Shutdown

Unfortunately, not everything continues smoothly. Here's what typically gets affected:

• Civilian DoD Employees: Hundreds of thousands of civilian Department of Defense workers — including many who work alongside military personnel on bases — are furloughed or required to work without pay until the shutdown ends.
• Military Spouse Employment: If your spouse works as a civilian DoD employee, they may be furloughed. This can cut household income significantly.
• PCS Moves: Permanent Change of Station moves are typically suspended. If you're in the middle of a PCS, you could be stuck in temporary housing indefinitely.
• Travel and TDY: Non-essential travel and temporary duty assignments are usually halted.
• Training and Schools: Many military schools and training courses are postponed or canceled.
• Administrative Services: ID card issuance, passport services, and other administrative functions on base may be reduced or suspended.
• VA Benefits Processing: While existing VA disability payments generally continue, new claims processing can slow dramatically.
• Military Construction: Construction projects on bases are typically halted.
• Childcare: Some child development centers on base may reduce hours or close if civilian staff are furloughed.

What About Reserve and National Guard Pay?

This is where things get more complicated. Reserve component members (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air National Guard, etc.) only receive pay under POMA when they are on active duty orders. If you're a traditional drilling reservist performing Inactive Duty Training (IDT) or Annual Training (AT) during a shutdown, your pay may be delayed.

In past shutdowns, reserve pay has been disrupted because the administrative systems that process reserve pay are affected by furloughs. While Congress has always made service members whole retroactively, the cash flow disruption can be severe for families living paycheck to paycheck.

Historical Shutdowns and Military Pay

Let's look at what's actually happened during recent government shutdowns:

The 2018-2019 Shutdown (35 Days)

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history lasted from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. Active-duty military members continued to receive pay under POMA. However, Coast Guard members — who fall under the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Defense — were not initially covered by POMA. This meant that Coast Guard members went without pay for the duration of the shutdown until Congress passed a separate fix. This remains a critical vulnerability for Coast Guard families.

The 2013 Shutdown (16 Days)

The 2013 shutdown was the catalyst for the Pay Our Military Act. Before POMA was passed, there was genuine uncertainty about whether active-duty troops would be paid. The act was signed into law just hours before the shutdown began, ensuring continued pay. This experience directly led to the protections that exist today.

The 2023 Near-Shutdown

Multiple near-shutdowns in 2023 and 2024 kept military families on edge. While full shutdowns were ultimately averted through last-minute continuing resolutions, the uncertainty itself caused stress and financial planning challenges for military households.

How to Financially Prepare for a Government Shutdown

Whether you're active duty, reserve, or a military spouse, here are concrete steps you can take right now to protect your finances:

1. Build an Emergency Fund

The single most important thing you can do is maintain an emergency fund with at least 3 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account. If you're a reservist or have a spouse who's a civilian DoD employee, aim for 6 months. This fund is your buffer against pay delays.

2. Know Your Rights

Under the Military Lending Act (MLA), you have protections against predatory lending. If you need to take out a loan during a shutdown, the MLA caps interest rates at 36% APR for covered borrowers. Avoid payday lenders and title loans that target military communities during financial stress.

3. Contact Your Bank and Creditors Proactively

Many banks and credit unions — especially those that serve military communities like USAA, Navy Federal, and PenFed — offer hardship programs during government shutdowns. These may include deferred payments, waived fees, or low-interest emergency loans. Call them before you miss a payment.

4. Military Aid Societies

All branches have emergency assistance organizations that provide interest-free loans and grants during financial hardship:

• Army Emergency Relief (AER) — for Army personnel
• Marine Corps — Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) emergency assistance
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) — for Navy and Marine Corps
• Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) — for Air Force and Space Force
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) — for Coast Guard

These organizations exist specifically for situations like shutdowns. Don't hesitate to reach out — that's what they're there for.

5. Review Your Budget

Identify your non-negotiable expenses (housing, food, utilities, insurance) versus discretionary spending. During a shutdown, you may need to temporarily cut back on dining out, entertainment, and other flexible expenses. Use our military pay calculator to understand exactly what your take-home pay looks like so you can plan accordingly.

6. For Coast Guard Families: Extra Caution

As mentioned above, Coast Guard members have historically been more vulnerable during shutdowns because they fall under DHS, not DoD. If you're in the Coast Guard, it's especially important to maintain a larger emergency fund and have a plan for accessing emergency assistance through CGMA.

What Happens to Military Retiree Pay?

Military retirement pay is funded through a different appropriations mechanism and has continued during all past shutdowns. Retirees should not expect disruption to their monthly retirement checks. However, administrative functions like DEERS updates, ID card renewals, and retiree services on base may be affected.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

Government shutdowns are more than political theater — they have real consequences for the men and women who serve. While active-duty pay is now largely protected, the ripple effects on military families, civilian employees, and support services are significant.

The stress of a shutdown compounds the already demanding nature of military service. Financial readiness is a readiness issue — service members who are worried about making rent can't focus on their mission.

That's why financial preparedness isn't just good personal finance advice — it's a force multiplier. A financially resilient force is a more effective force.

Stay Informed and Prepared

As of 2026, the threat of government shutdowns remains a recurring reality. The best thing you can do is prepare now, before a shutdown occurs. Build your emergency fund, know your resources, and have a plan.

Use our free military pay calculator at militarypayapp.com to understand your complete compensation picture — including base pay, BAH, BAS, and special pays. Explore our related guides on the 2026 military pay chart, base pay rates for 2026, and military special pays.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or official government advice. For the most current information during an active shutdown, consult your chain of command, your installation's financial readiness office, or the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) at dfas.mil.