Financial Relief for Military & Federal Employees During a Government Shutdown
A government shutdown can bring a lot of uncertainty—especially when it impacts your paycheck. The good news is, several trusted organizations are stepping up to support those affected during this challenging time.
From 0% interest loans through USAA and Navy Federal to critical financial assistance programs from Operation Homefront, there are resources available to help bridge the gap and ease financial stress until normal pay resumes.
USAA
This is a 0% interest loan equal to the amount of your net pay, from $500 to $6,000. It’s designed to help if your pay is disrupted.
Requirements
To qualify, you’ll need to:
- Have direct deposit set up for a USAA Bank checking or savings account as of the federal payment disruption date.
- Receive at least one qualifying direct deposit See note1 to that same account within 30 days before the start of the disruption.
- Have a U.S. physical address or an APO, DPO, or FPO address.
- Get a credit approval from USAA Bank.
Eligibility
You can apply if you’re:
- A member employed by an impacted federal agency and you direct deposit your government paycheck or pay.
- An account holder on the impacted USAA Bank account.
Repayment
How repayment works:
- You need to repay the loan within 3 months of funding.
- Payments will be split into 2 equal installments. The first is due in about 60 days and the second in about 90 days.
USAA is offering additional assistance for eligible impacted members
Auto and property insurance
You may be eligible to set up a special payment arrangement for your USAA auto and property insurance premiums.
Banking
Special payment assistance programs may be available on existing USAA Bank accounts for eligible members. This includes credit cards, deposit accounts, consumer loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC).
- Consumer Loans: 2-month payment extension; no interest accrues during this period
- Credit Cards: 3-month payment extension; interest continues to accrue
- Deposit Accounts: Overdraft fees waived or refunded
- HELOC: 3-month payment extension; interest continues to accrue
Life and health insurance
We have special payment arrangements on life and health insurance policies. Options may vary by state and may be subject to state regulatory requirements.
NAVY FEDERAL
0% APR Loan During Government Shutdown
You May Be Eligible If Your Pay Is Impacted. To help members affected by the government shutdown, we’re again offering assistance.
You may be eligible for this aid if you meet these 3 criteria:
- Your pay is impacted by the shutdown
- You’ve set up direct deposit of pay with Navy Federal
You’re one of the following:
- A federal government employee
- An Active Duty servicemember
- A federal government contractor paid directly by the federal government
Navy Fed will provide updates to this page as they become available.
Enrollment in the Government Shutdown Program
Loan Amounts. Loan amounts are calculated based on the amount of the most recent direct deposit of pay that was made to your account prior to your pay interruption. The Loan Amount Eligibility Chart can help you determine how much you’re eligible to apply for.
- Maximum loan amount: $6,000
- 0% APR—no fees or interest charges associated with this loan
- No credit check required
Program Registration. For loan proceeds to be available on your scheduled pay date, you must register by the day before your scheduled pay date. We’ll continue accepting registrations until 3 days after your scheduled pay date.
Disbursement. Loans will be available and disbursed only if the government fails to pay eligible members in connection with the government shutdown.
Repayment. Once direct deposit of pay resumes, the amount credited to your account(s) will be deducted automatically as repayment.
Still Need Help?
We’re here to help our members during periods of financial difficulty. If your pay is disrupted, but you don’t meet the eligibility requirements, we recommend you visit a branch or contact us at 1-888-842-6328 to discuss your situation with one of our Member Service Representatives.
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront supports military and veteran families when they need us most, including during the current government shutdown.
Information on Operation Homefront’s Critical Financial Assistance program is available here!
You can also learn about all of their relief and recurring support programs, such as our Holiday Meals for Military Families program here!
