WHAT CAN I DO TO PREPARE FOR LIVING WITH NO PAY?

• Review your budget and assess your immediate needs; prioritize expenses and identify any areas with financial flexibility that can be pushed out for a month or more. If you need financial planning and budget assistance, you may reach out to Military OneSource to schedule financial counseling at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/.
   
• Contact your creditors, landlord, utility companies, mortgage company, educational institutions, etc, and make them aware your pay is affected by the government shutdown. Ask to make smaller payments or request deferred payments until your pay is restored. Sample letters below.
   
  • Request for Payment Relief
  • Request for Rent Relief

WHAT FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE IF I NEED MONEY FOR FOOD AND NECESSITIES?

Financial institutions and other credit union special programs typically offer programs to help those without pay. Navy Federal Credit Union (NCFU), United Services Automobile Association (USAA), PenFed, Armed Forces Bank, and other financial institutions like First Command Bank† offer interest-free loan programs for eligible members whose pay is impacted, typically matching a direct deposit up to a certain amount.

TIP: Reach out to your bank/credit union to ask about interest free loan programs.

TIP: Consider stopping automatic payments, especially if you have any automatic payments pulling from your bank account, as it will decrease readily available funds for payments that can possibly be deferred.

CAUTION: Be careful who you share information with. During crisis, many people will try and steal your information. Never give your information to companies that contact you by phone; call back on official numbers after researching them on the web if you want to engage their services.

CAUTION: DO NOT rush to borrow money from payday lenders, title lenders, or take out high-interest personal loans! These types of high-interest loans are difficult to pay off even after pay resumes. Current as of 1 OCT 2025

• Contact your branch’s Military Aid Societies as well as local state and community Assistance Programs: Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), Army Emergency Relief (AER), and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) will assist with your emergency financial needs such as food, gas, and utilities with an interest free loan expected to be repaid once normal pay resumes.
   
• SNAP/EBT/food stamp benefits: Military members who are not receiving pay can apply for SNAP benefits during a government shutdown. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis by state-run SNAP offices and is based on a household's income, which would be lower during a period of the shutdown.
   
• Other aid organizations may be able to assist: American Red Cross, Operation Homefront, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Armed Services YCMA, Cohen Veterans Network, Military OneSource†, local food pantries and community organizations.
   
• If you decide to take out a loan, read all documents before signing to learn what you are signing up for! Look out for interest rates higher than national average for that type of loan, any additional service fees charged by the company (service fees, late fees, pre-payment penalties, etc), and make sure you are late or are unable to make a payment.

WHAT IF MY CREDITORS ARE NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH ME AND I CAN’T MAKE MY PAYMENTS?

If you are not able to secure additional assistance and the individuals or businesses you are under contract with cannot support you with deferred or reduced payments, the Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA) may provide some protections for active duty from adverse actions; however, some of these benefits may be for TPU only. Please check with your legal assistance attorney for specific information:

• Evictions: SCRA requires a court order to evict a servicemember from a residential home regardless of the terms of the contract or other local law that may allow non-judicial evictions. The eviction process often takes 30 days or more, so you don’t have to vacate the home immediately, even if your landlord tells you otherwise or you receive a notice to vacate within a few days. In most states, this type of notice is the first step before a landlord can file eviction papers in court. If you are not unsure where your landlord is in the eviction process, request he/she provide a Final Order of Eviction signed by a state court judge before you vacate.

• Repossession Protections: The SCRA states that a creditor may not repossess a vehicle during a borrower’s period of military service without a court order as long as the servicemember borrower either placed a deposit for the vehicle, or made at least one installment payment on the contract, before entering military service.
   
• Liens: A lien cannot be enforced on a servicemember’s property during or within 90 days after military service unless there is a valid court order.
   
• Foreclosure: the SCRA prohibits non-judicial (out-of-court) foreclosures on mortgages that originated before military service Courts have the ability under the SCRA, and a duty in certain instances, to stay a non-judicial foreclosure proceeding or adjust the payments if the servicemember’s ability to meet the obligation is materially affected because of his or her military service.
   
• Protection against default judgments (a court order): If, while on active duty, any civil action is filed against you, the judge must appoint a lawyer to represent you in your absence. The court must grant a delay, or stay, of at least 90 days if it determines there may be a defense to the action and the defense cannot be presented without your attendance.
   
• Stay of Proceedings: If you can’t participate in a civil court action or administrative proceeding because of your military service, you can request a 90-day delay, or “stay”, in the proceeding. You are automatically entitled to this delay if you follow all the requirements. The judge, magistrate or hearing officer can grant an additional 90-day stay. Proceedings may include actions for divorce, child paternity and support cases, as well as foreclosure proceedings to name a few. 
   
  • SCRA Stay Request

WHAT IF I NEED ADDITIONAL LEGAL HELP?

• Armed Forces Legal Assistance - Find your nearest USAR office HERE.
   
• NOTE: Legal Assistance offices will continue to operate for military members and their families unless ordered to cease services. The general scope of Military Legal Assistance services may be limited so please contact your local legal assistance office for updated guidance on available services.
   
• Deployment/Mobilization: Legal assistance for military and civilian personnel deployed, or preparing to deploy, in support of military or stability operations will always remain available throughout any shutdown period. If you receive deployment orders, please email your closest legal assistance office at the email address listed at the above provided link.

† These entities are not affiliated or endorsed by the Federal Government, Department of Defense, US Army, US Army Reserve, or the 80th Training Command (TASS).