Government Shutdown - What Military Families Need to Know

The number one question we have heard from families is – will my service member be paid on the 15?

Service members are exempt from furloughs, meaning they still have to work. Their work will be paid for, the question is when? Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said on Wednesday:

􀁺 if the government shuts down on April 8 and goes for a week, service members would get half of a check on April 15 (pay from the April 1 – 8)

􀁺 if the shutdown runs past April 15, service members would receive pay after the budget or a Continuing Resolution is passed.

Retirees will receive their retirement pay.

Where to go for Financial Help

Do not turn to payday lenders – your military community has the resources to provide assistance. If your family experiences a hardship due to a reduced paycheck, we urge you to seek assistance from a military aid organization or military bank or military credit union. Aid organizations and military banks and credit unions have short term loans available to help in this situation.

Aid organizations will remain open and are ready and willing to help service members and their families.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) www.afas.org

Army Emergency Relief (AER) www.aerhq.org

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) www.cgmahq.org

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) www.nmcrs.org

Reserve Aid www.reserveaid.org

If you are not located to near an aid organization, you may seek financial assistance from the Red Cross or call 866-563-1376. Each aid organization has an agreement with the Red Cross to provide the same type of financial assistance to military families.

Our Association has contacted a sampling of military banks and credit unions. In the event of a government shutdown, some military banks and credit unions may waive fees associated with the possible shutdown. Others have stated they will consider permitting families to skip a loan or credit card payment. We urge military families to contact their bank to review their individual situation and the guidance established by their financial entity.

Military families who use automatic payments are encouraged to contact their bank and make alternative arrangements. For example, families may transfer money from a savings account to a checking account to cover the automatic payment.

What services will remain open during a potential shutdown?

The Department of Defense and Services are currently evaluating their essential personnel and support services. Service members are expected to report to work. However, Reserve component personnel should refer to their chain of command for specific information.

Open

􀁺 Dining facilities, child care centers and other non-appropriated funds activities that do not operate on tax payer funds

􀁺 Department of Defense Education Activity schools (DoDEA)

􀁺 Military Exchanges

􀁺 Military Treatment Facilities will be open, but may have limited services. See below.

Closed

􀁺 Commissaries

􀁺 Nonessential services

Overseas

Congress is working to provide funding for commissaries overseas to remain open during the shutdown.

Overseas families are encouraged to contact their local commissary.

Even those services that will remain open may operate with reduced personnel. We encourage families to call ahead to determine if the service is open.

Health Care

If you normally get your health care in a military hospital or military clinic, you may find appointments may be cancelled or some medical, lab, or pharmacy services will not be available during a government shutdown. Depending on each military hospital or military clinic’s staffing, there will probably be a different mix of available services. So, we advise families to call whatever phone number you would normally call for information or to make an appointment before you travel to your military hospital or military clinic for any reason.

As always, if you or a family member has an emergency medical situation, immediately go to the closest emergency room or dial 911. If the need is not an emergency, but you need urgent care and cannot get in touch with anyone at your military hospital or military clinic, we recommend that you call your TRICARE Regional contractor for information and instructions. Here is their contact information:

North: Health Net at 1.888.874.2273 www.healthnetfederalservices.com

South: Humana at 1.800.444.5445 www.humana-military.com

West: TriWest at 1.888.874.9378 www.triwest.com

If you normally get your care from civilian health care providers, you should not notice a disruption in service due to the shutdown. TRICARE contractors will continue to provide all of their services and their call centers will be operational. They will still pay claims and their mental health services will be operational.

Want to ensure a steady supply of your medications during unexpected situations, like any future government shutdowns or environmental disaster, consider home delivery! Click here for more information. We will continue to update this page as information becomes available.

Related Articles:

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