WILL THE COAST GUARD GET PAID ON MARCH 13? USCG, DHS, AND OMB REMAIN SILENT

With hours left before the March 13th military payday, Coast Guard families still do not have a straight answer for the question on everyone’s mind: “Will our paycheck land safely in our bank accounts on March 13th?” As of Thursday afternoon, officials from the United States Coast Guard, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of Management and Budget had not publicly confirmed whether Coast Guard service members will receive their scheduled pay.

The uncertainty stems from an ongoing lapse in appropriations affecting the Department of Homeland Security, the department that oversees the Coast Guard during peacetime. For many Coast Guard families, the unanswered question arrives just as rent, groceries, childcare, and the normal bills that hit every month are coming due. Research shows that between 25-29% of junior enlisted Coast Guard personnel experience food insecurity and financial hardships, such as living paycheck to paycheck.

Agencies Refer Questions as Payday Approaches

In an effort to clarify the situation, our editorial team contacted Coast Guard media relations on Thursday. Coast Guard Headquarters referred our question to DHS on Thursday afternoon. DHS then directed us to OMB. When contacted later in the afternoon, DHS press officials said the Office of Management and Budget is responsible for guidance related to federal funding lapses.

By publication, none of the three agencies had publicly confirmed whether the Coast Guard's March 13th paycheck would be issued. Relevant Coast Guard funding-lapse guidance currently visible on MyCG notes it was last updated on February 18th.

Why Coast Guard Pay Is Different During a DHS Shutdown

Unlike the other branches of the United States military, the Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime rather than the Department of Defense.

That reporting structure means a lapse in DHS appropriations can affect Coast Guard pay even while the rest of the military continues operating under Defense Department funding.

Service members remain required to report for duty during a shutdown, even if pay is delayed. During previous shutdowns, Coast Guard personnel continued working while waiting for Congress to restore funding and release delayed pay.

Could the Coast Guard Be Moved to the Navy?

Federal law allows the President to transfer the Coast Guard to operate as part of the United States Navy when directed by Executive Order. During the 2019 government shutdown, some former senior enlisted leaders publicly suggested the move as a possible way to ensure Coast Guard personnel could be paid through Defense Department appropriations. The authority has never been used simply to address a shutdown-related pay dispute. The Executive Order has only been used once, and not since WWII.

Where Coast Guard Families Can Get Help Right Now

If pay is delayed, the Coast Guard directs members and families to several immediate financial assistance options.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance offers interest-free loans up to one net paycheck, capped at $6,000, to help Coast Guard members manage essential expenses during a funding lapse.

These loans can help cover housing costs, utilities, emergency travel, and other urgent needs.

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union has historically provided interest-free loans equal to one direct-deposit paycheck, up to $6,000, during federal shutdowns for affected service members.

According to Coast Guard guidance, the program does not require a credit check and is tied to members receiving their pay through Navy Federal direct deposit.

USAA Government Shutdown Assistance

USAA has also activated financial assistance programs during past shutdowns, including no-interest loans equal to one net paycheck, up to $6,000. Applications for these programs typically do not affect a member’s credit score.

Financial Counseling and Support

The Coast Guard also directs members to Military OneSource, along with Personal Financial Managers and Command Financial Specialists, for financial counseling and guidance during shutdown disruptions.

What the Coast Guard Says About Back Pay

Even if the March 13th paycheck is delayed, Coast Guard personnel are expected to receive full back pay once funding is restored. The Coast Guard’s official shutdown FAQ states that under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, furloughed and excepted federal employees are guaranteed back pay once Congress restores appropriations.

During past shutdowns, delayed military pay has typically been issued shortly after new funding legislation was passed. However, the exact timing of those payments depends on when Congress restores funding and when federal payroll systems process the restored appropriations.

For the service members who are living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to feed their families, that potential backpay won’t hit their bank accounts soon enough.

What Coast Guard Families Still Do Not Know

By Thursday night, families were still trying to figure out whether Friday would be a normal payday or the first missed check of the shutdown. With the March 13th payday approaching, federal agencies have still not publicly confirmed whether Coast Guard service members will receive their scheduled pay.

Regardless of the outcome and when these honorable men and women receive the pay they deserve, they also deserve accountability and transparency from their highest chain of command.

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