Multiple military relief societies report increased request for financial assistance

Military relief societies report an “unprecedented” request for financial assistance from service members. These requests came in the aftermath of the government shutdown. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) said that they need at least two days of lead time to process military pay. If the shutdown is lifted no later than the 13th, and DFAS is cleared to process pay, payment will hit accounts on time on the 15th. However, if the shutdown is not lifted by the 13th, then it will take two business days to process pay once troops are cleared to receive the next paycheck.

From Military Times:

With their Oct. 15 paychecks in doubt, service members have been reaching out for financial assistance in “unprecedented” numbers, multiple military relief societies said this week.

Meanwhile, as the government shutdown that could cause the lapse in pay persists, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service has clarified it needs two days’ worth of lead time to process military pay. That means Congress must act Monday or earlier in order to avoid a delay getting troops their checks.

“If authority to pay is received by October 13, the military will be paid on time on October 15,” DFAS spokesperson Steve Burghardt said Friday. “If authority to pay is received after October 13, the military will be paid within two business days.”

Service members who are concerned about the possible lapse in pay have been reaching out ahead of time to relief societies and financial institutions for assistance.

“We are receiving a lot of requests at an unprecedented level for us, and are prepared to get funds to soldiers for mid-month pay if the lapse of appropriations continues,” said Sean Ryan, a retired Army colonel and spokesperson for Army Emergency Relief.

As of Oct. 10, AER has received 7,500 working applications for over $10 million in possible assistance “and counting,” Ryan said. Their assistance is in zero-interest loans.

Military relief societies, military-focused financial institutions and others have been putting the word out this week that they’re able to assist service members and federal civilian workers, as the possibility of a missed paycheck looms ever closer.

For example, USAA has provided $150 million in zero-interest loans to about 45,000 of its members in just over 48 hours, helping support service members, their families and federal employees ahead of potential gaps in pay, company officials said. About 85% of the $150 million has gone to active duty, National Guard or Reserve members.

USAA has also processed tens of thousands of additional payment relief offers for banking and insurance products, to include payment extensions and fee waivers.

Additional Reading:

Jowers, K. (2025, October 10). Troops request assistance at ‘unprecedented’ rate as shutdown persists. Military Times. Link.

Category: Government Incompetence, Military issues, Society