Editor’s note: This article was updated on Nov. 3 with civilian benefit open enrollment guidance.
The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to supporting our workforce and their families during the lapse in federal government funding. Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions during a federal shutdown. This article will be updated as needed with additional FAQs throughout the shutdown. If you have questions, contact your chain of command or immediate supervisor. You can also submit questions, comments, or suggestions via Microsoft Form or email LapseQuestions@uscg.mil.
GENERAL FAQ
What is a government shutdown and how will it affect the Coast Guard?
A shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass appropriations or a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies and programs. Once funding lapses, agencies must cease operations financed by those appropriations, except for functions that are legally required to continue.
The Coast Guard generally will continue operations authorized by law that are necessary for the safety of human life, protection of property, or national security. This includes emerging contingency operations like hurricane preparedness and response. The Coast Guard will also continue to focus on asserting presence and securing America’s borders.
How will I be affected?
It depends on which of the following categories you fall into:
- Excepted employees include all military members, plus anyone else whose work is considered essential to safeguarding life or property, or otherwise mandated by law. If you’re an excepted employee, you will continue working during the funding lapse.
- Furloughed (non-excepted) employees are those whose functions are considered non-essential and whose pay is tied to appropriations. Furloughed employees will be placed in a non-duty, non-pay status and must stop working during the shutdown.
- Exempt employees are not affected by the lapse in appropriations because they are paid out of special fees or multi-year accounts.
- Contractors should check their status with their Contracting Officer Representatives.
How can I stay informed?
- On SharePoint: The 2025 Appropriations Lapse SharePoint site has FAQs and guidance for supervisors and excepted employees. It is updated several times a day.
- On the web: MyCG has FAQs and announcements for non-excepted employees and their families.
- By mobile: Get the MyCG app on Google Play or the App Store.
OPEN ENROLLMENT FAQ
Is there an update on civilian benefit open enrollment? If I want to make changes, are furloughed employees permitted to use CG systems to make the change?
Open Season for civilian benefits is scheduled from Nov. 10 to Dec. 8, 2025. Consistent with guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), furloughed employees are permitted to use government equipment to complete or submit benefits changes during a shutdown furlough. See OPM Sept. 28, 2025 Guidance (page 1, answer to Question A.3).
For more information, visit:
PAYROLL AND SERVICES FAQ
What happens to pay?
Excepted employees work during the shutdown. Excepted civilians may not receive pay until the government reopens. Furloughed employees do not work or get paid during the shutdown. Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (GEFTA), both furloughed and excepted employees are guaranteed back pay once funding is restored. The timing depends on how quickly Congress acts. Benefits such as health and retirement continue during the shutdown period, although payroll deductions will stop until pay is restored.
- Military members’ pay: Military members will receive their mid-month paycheck for Oct. 15. Pay will be processed and deposited in members’ designated accounts between Oct. 15–17.
- Civilian members’ pay: All civilian employees have received a full paycheck from Pay Period 18 (on or about Sept. 29). Civilians paid out of single-year appropriations (the majority of the civilian workforce) will receive approximately 70% of their Pay Period 19 paycheck on or about Oct. 16. There will be a roughly five-day delay to receive back pay once a shutdown concludes. Exempt civilian employees funded from the Coast Guard Yard working capital fund and unexpired multi/no-year appropriations will be paid on time during a lapse.
- Back pay: By law, all military and civilian personnel are guaranteed back pay once a lapse in appropriations concludes.
- Military retiree pay: All retired military personnel (including Coast Guard) will receive pay on time during a shutdown. Military retirees and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) beneficiaries are not impacted by a lapse in appropriations and will continue to receive disbursements.
Will military members receive SGLI, TRICARE, and medical benefits?
Medical benefits and insurance premiums remain current. These will be processed and paid once payroll resumes after the shutdown. You and your dependents will continue to have access to primary medical providers.
Will military medical and dental be available during a shutdown?
Yes. Uniformed staff at regional healthcare practices will be available to provide services to eligible beneficiaries. Coast Guard clinics will continue to operate during the lapse. Additionally, all TRICARE services and coverage will be available for eligible beneficiaries during a lapse in appropriations.
Will galleys, commissaries, or exchanges be open during the shutdown?
Yes. The Coast Guard Exchange System will remain open, and galleys will be open during a shutdown.
EXCEPTED ACTIVITIES FAQ
Will I work during a shutdown?
Military personnel are statutorily exempt and shall report to duty, as directed by their commanding officers, officers-in-charge, and supervisors, to support missions that are legally authorized to continue during an appropriations lapse.
Civilian positions are categorized as exempt, non-exempt, or excepted. Exempt and excepted employees shall report to work as usual. Non-exempt employees will be furloughed. Your supervisor should already have notified you of your status. If you are not sure, contact your supervisor.
What kind of duties am I expected to conduct during a shutdown?
During a lapse in appropriations, the Coast Guard may only conduct activities that are vital to national defense and the safety of life and property.
- For guidance on support systems services, see ALCOAST 411/25 (CAC required) from the Deputy Commandant for Systems (DCS).
- For guidance on personnel support services, see ALCOAST 412/25 (CAC required) from the Deputy Commandant for Personnel (DCP).
- Operational commanders should review ALCOAST 413/25 (CAC required) from the Deputy Commandant for Operations (DCO).
Do reservists have to drill during a shutdown?
Reserve ADT/IDT in support of excepted functions, including training to maintain proficiency, shall be in accordance with ALCOAST 413/25 (CAC required).
How does a shutdown impact the Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Auxiliary activity may only be performed if it is specifically ordered by a Coast Guard command in direct support of an exempt activity. Exempt activities are primarily limited to urgent search and rescue (SAR), aids to navigation (ATON) outages, and national security threats.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FAQ
Am I expected to pay my bills during a shutdown?
During a lapse, Coast Guard members must continue to meet all civil obligations, including insurance, rent or mortgage, child care, and child support, regardless of the government’s ability to process payroll. If you have direct allotments set up through payroll, remember that no funds will be transferred during a furlough. Review automatic payments and make any needed adjustments. Creditors are not obligated to provide relief, so communicate early if you anticipate temporary financial constraints.
Where can I get support during a shutdown?
Employee assistance and military work-life services remain available 24/7/365. Military OneSource provides trusted resources and confidential help for active-duty members and their families at Military OneSource or by calling (800) 342-9647. The Federal Occupational Health (FOH) Employee Assistance Program offers confidential support to civilian employees and their families at foh4you.com or by calling (800) 222-0364. Sexual Assault Response Coordinators and Victim Advocate Program Specialists will be available.
Can I fundraise for myself during the shutdown?
Federal employees may not engage in fundraising in an official capacity or in the federal workplace, except in limited circumstances (see 5 CFR 2635.702 and 5 CFR 2635.808 ).
Coast Guard employees have previously sought financial assistance through crowdsourcing campaigns (for example, GoFundMe). These raise ethics concerns and require careful planning to avoid violating ethics rules. Always check with your servicing legal office before launching a crowdsourcing campaign. Generally, federal employees or those related to federal employees may not use a crowdsourcing campaign to raise funds simply because they are in a non-pay status.
What if a prospective donor asks how they can help?
Refer cash or cash-in-kind offers to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA). Cash given to Coast Guard units must be deposited in a unit’s MWR account or the General Gift Fund and not provided to individual members.
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