No Result
View All Result
Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
 Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Military Families

Impacts of a government shutdown on military pay, benefits

Military.com
by Military.com
September 30, 2021
Impacts of a government shutdown on military pay, benefits
ShareTweetEmail

Read the original article on Military.com. Follow Military.com on Twitter.

When the nation slips into a government shutdown, military members are sometimes among those to feel the pinch.

How does a shutdown impact military and retiree pay and benefits or payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Although each shutdown situation is slightly different, guidance issued by the Defense Department and VA tends to be similar during each instance in which the Defense Department is impacted.

During the Jan. 2018 government shutdown the following guidance was issued.

Troop pay

Although active-duty troops and Guard and reservists on active-duty orders are expected to show up for work during a shutdown, they do not get paid unless Congress passes a separate piece of legislation to do so.

Guard and reserve drill days scheduled for during the shutdown were to be canceled, while those at drill when the shutdown started were likely to be sent home. Guardsmen and Reservists were instructed to check with their units for more information.

Read more: How the Government Shutdown is Impacting My Coast Guard Family

Retiree pay and SBP payments

Military retirees were to still receive their regular pension checks in the event of a shutdown in Jan. 2018, as were those receiving a Survivor’s Benefit Plan (SBP) payment.

That’s because those funds were paid from a different account that was not impacted by the annual funding bill Congress had yet to pass.

Troops killed in action

During the Jan. 2018 shutdown, newly bereaved family members were not to receive the Pentagon’s $100,000 death gratuity during a shutdown or military-funded travel to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, or elsewhere for the dignified transfer or military funeral or memorial.

Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) payments, however, were not to be affected.

VA disability pay & GI Bill benefits

Like retiree pay, VA disability pay and GI Bill payments were both funded through different legislation than was at risk on the Hill during the Jan. 2018 shutdown. For that reason, those checks were not to be affected.

However, during the 2013 shutdown, VA officials warned that if the closure extended beyond several weeks, disability checks were unlikely to go out to more than 5.1 million veterans.

Military moves and travel

Military families about to make a permanent change of station (PCS) move or troops preparing for temporary travel (TDY) had their travel on hold until after the Jan. 2018 shutdown.

Those who already had departed on military move orders were to complete their move, according to the guidance. Those in the midst of TDY travel were to return to their duty station, the guidance said.

Medical care on base

While military hospitals and on base dental clinics were scheduled to stay open for emergencies, inpatient care and acute care, all other types of care — including elective procedures and primary-care appointments — was to be canceled until the shutdown was lifted.

Families were instructed to contact their clinic or hospital to find out more about their scheduled care.

Medical care off base

The shut down did not impact off base medical care provided through Tricare, the guidance noted.

On-base child care

On-base military child care centers were to stay open on a case-by-case basis, depending on whether they are seen as “essential.” Users were asked to contact their specific Child Development Center (CDC) for details.

On-base schools

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools were to stay open during a shutdown. However, all extracurricular activities, such as sporting events, were to be canceled, the guidance said.

On-base schools that are operated by local school districts were not affected by a shutdown.

Commissaries, exchanges and MWR

In Jan. 2018 Military exchanges were to remain open during a shutdown thanks to the way they are funded.

Stateside commissaries, however, were to close by three days after the shutdown started, officials said, while those outside the U.S. and in some rural locations were to remain open since they are considered “essential.” Those included two stores in Guam, a store in Puerto Rico, and commissaries at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport and Fort Irwin in California; Coast Guard Station Kodiak and Fort Greely in Alaska; and Dugway Proving Ground, Utah.

MWR activities were to temporarily shutter on a case-by-case basis due to how those services are funded.

Read comments
Tags: government shutdownMilitary BenefitsMilitary payMilitary Pay and BenefitsThe latest
Share48Tweet30Send
Military.com

Military.com

Military.com is the nation’s largest military and veteran online news and membership organization serving active duty personnel, reservists, guard members, retirees, veterans, family members, defense workers and those considering military careers. A leader in veteran employment and solutions for companies looking to hire veterans, Military.com offers employment tools, transition assistance, and employer resources as well as military discounts, and information on all of the benefits earned in service. Military.com is a business unit of Monster. More information is available at www.military.com.

Related Posts

President signs historic toxic exposure bill extending benefits to millions of veterans
Military News

President signs historic toxic exposure bill extending benefits to millions of veterans

4 days ago
federal hiring summit
Military News

Federal hiring summit offers career resources for transitioning service members, spouses 

5 days ago
How to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members
Military Benefits

How to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members

7 days ago
DOD program helps military-affiliated students save on school costs
Military Education

DOD program helps military-affiliated students save on school costs

1 week ago
5 tips for planning a military wedding on a budget
Money

5 tips for planning a military wedding on a budget

2 weeks ago
Presumed sick? Burn pit legislation receives bipartisan support, awaits president’s signature
Military News

Presumed sick? Burn pit legislation receives bipartisan support, awaits president’s signature

2 weeks ago

Ads

Military News, delivered to your inbox

Get a free copy of MILITARY FAMILIES delivered to your inbox each month

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL

GET RESOURCES

  • MILITARY EDUCATION GUIDE

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • CFC/NONPROFITS
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2022 Military Families by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Military Life
    • Deployment
    • Relocation
    • Military Spouses
    • Military Kids
  • Education
  • Career
    • Transition
    • Entrepreneur
  • Veterans
  • Health
  • Money
    • Military Deals & Discounts
  • Travel
    • Beyond the Base
  • OFF DUTY
    • Food & Recipes
    • Book Reviews & Roundups
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
  • About us
    • Our story
    • Our team
    • Our writers
  • Magazine
    • Get print
    • Get digital
  • Advertise
    • Get our media kit
    • CFC/Nonprofits
    • Publisher’s statement
  • Submissions
    • Pitch us
    • Submit your story
    • Book club
  • Get Resources
    • Military Education Guide

© 2022 Military Families by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW.