Editor's Note: This article has been updated on Feb. 24, 2026 to include guidance for Ombudsman.
Coast Guard funding lapsed at 12:00 a.m. EST on Saturday, Feb. 14, after an appropriations measure was not enacted before the deadline. As required by law, the Service is now executing an orderly suspension of certain activities while continuing missions necessary to protect life, property, and national security.
Guidance for Military Members
Active-duty military members will still report for duty. You should have received your Feb. 15 paycheck on-time. You will continue performing excepted missions, including search and rescue, maritime safety and security, and environmental response. Non-essential operations and support functions may be paused until funding is restored. Follow the guidance from your chain of command and refer to the Consolidated Lapse Guidance here for details on unit-specific exceptions.
Reservists on orders will perform the same excepted missions as active-duty members. Unless notified by your command, reserve members not on orders are not required to perform duties during the lapse.
Civilian Guidance
Excepted civilians will continue to work supporting critical missions. Non-exempt employees should follow instructions from their supervisors regarding orderly shutdown and furlough procedures. Exempt employees are covered under separate funding and will continue to work. All civilian employees should have received a full paycheck from Pay Period 02 on Feb. 14.
Ombudsmen Guidance
Ombudsmen are a valuable resource that can provide additional support during a lapse – commands should continue to work with their ombudsman and leverage that relationship to provide to the Coast Guard family. Additional guidance for Ombudsmen includes:
- Ombudsmen may continue to provide volunteer services, to include unit visits at Coast Guard bases, facilities, boats, cutters, etc.
- Ombudsmen should, and are encouraged to, continue to provide information, resources, and referrals to families during this period. As during normal operations, ombudsmen may utilize social media and other communication tools to keep Coast Guard families informed. Ombudsmen should continue to follow guidance in Appendix K of the Ombudsman Program Commandant Instruction.
- Ombudsmen should familiarize themselves with the new or updated resources available to Coast Guard families during a lapse. (E.g., CGMA)
- Ombudsmen may continue to utilize Coast Guard equipment that remains readily available, such as government computers, if there is no required obligation of Coast Guard funds.
Critically, ombudsmen must not perform any activity that would require reimbursement during the government shutdown; this includes, but is not limited to mileage reimbursement, invitational travel authorizations, etc. Ombudsmen may travel if desired but will not be able to seek reimbursement.
All Members: Here’s where to find info during the 2026 funding lapse
The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to supporting our workforce and their families during the lapse in federal government funding. Here’s how you can stay informed.
- On the Web: Visit the publicly facing MyCG website any time to find the latest FAQ, resources, announcements, and General Messages.
- On SharePoint (for those reporting to work): Visit the 2026 Appropriations Lapse Sharepoint site (CAC required). Here, we will place any FAQ and additional resources that are not currently authorized for public release.
- By E-mail: If you won’t be reporting to work, please consider signing up for the All Hands Briefer using your personal e-mail (you can unsubscribe at any time). The MyCG team will use that distribution list to send shutdown announcements.
- By Mobile: The MyCG app is available in both Google Play and the iPhone App Store. (Please note that the app does not collect any user data.) Click on News for all MyCG articles; click on “Messages” for all General Messages.
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