Editor’s note: This article was updated to support the February 2026 lapse in appropriations.
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 lapse in appropriations and how will it affect the Coast Guard?
A lapse in appropriations occurs when Congress does not enact an appropriations bill or a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies and programs. Once funding lapses, agencies must cease activities 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 securing our borders, facilitating commerce vital to our nation's economic prosperity, and responding to contingencies.
How will I be affected?
It depends on which of the following categories you fall into:
- Excepted employees are those whose work directly supports essential functions required to safeguard life or property, or otherwise mandated by law. If you’re an excepted employee, you will continue working during the funding lapse.
- Furloughed (non-exempt) employees are those whose work does not directly support essential functions 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 lapse after an orderly shutdown.
- Exempt employees are not affected by the lapse in appropriations because they are paid out of special fees or multi-year accounts. All military members are statutorily exempt.
- Contractors should check their status with their Contracting Officer Representatives.
How can I stay informed?
- On SharePoint: The 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.
PAYROLL AND SERVICES FAQ
What happens to pay?
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 Pay: All Coast Guard military personnel will receive a full paycheck on February 15 regardless of whether a lapse occurs.
- Civilian Pay: All civilian employees will receive a full paycheck on time (on or around Feb. 16) regardless of whether a lapse occurs. If there is a lapse in appropriations that extends into the last week of February, all civilians paid out of single-year appropriations (the vast majority of our civilian workforce) will receive approximately 50% of their next paycheck on or around Mar. 2. Exempt civilian employees funded from the Yard working capital fund and un-expired multi/no-year appropriations continue to receive pay on-time during a lapse. Please note that it is very important for timekeepers, employees and supervisors to pay close attention to instructions provided by the Office of Civilian Personnel on timecard validation and certifications to ensure payments are received on time.
- Back-Pay: By statute, all military and civilian personnel are guaranteed to receive back-pay once a potential lapse in appropriations concludes.
- Retired Military 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 and galleys will be open during a shutdown.
EXCEPTED ACTIVITIES FAQ
Will I work during a shutdown?
All military members on active duty, including reserve component personnel on federal active duty, will continue to report for duty and carry out assigned duties. This includes duty involving excepted, and to the extent they can be performed without incurring new obligations, non-excepted activities. Military members on active duty may be assigned to carry out non-excepted activities in place of furloughed civilian personnel only to the extent that the non-excepted activity is capable of performance without incurring new obligations.
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 excepted or exempt activities. These activities are defined in the Consolidated Lapse in Appropriations Guidance on the Lapse SharePoint site (CAC required).
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 the Consolidated Lapse in Appropriations Guidance on the Lapse SharePoint site (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, childcare, 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 efforts 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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