BY MAUREEN N. MARATITA
Journal Staff
As the U.S. federal government shutdown continues, a variety of organizations in the islands and nationally have stepped forward to offer aid to affected U.S. military personnel, some of whom have been furloughed.
The U.S. Department of War’s latest statement is, “The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sept. 30. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status, without pay, until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.”
The situation has also affected the Guam National Guard’s reserve members. See Furloughs issued in Guam as U.S. shutdown continues
These are the posts from U.S. military support organizations:
“Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is prepared to step in the moment Coast Guard families need help. CGMA will offer interest-free loans to help with important bills like rent, insurance, and daycare. Coast Guard military and civilian employees are eligible to borrow up to their monthly Basic Allowance for Housing as needed. Active-Duty Members: CGMA Headquarters will keep the shutdown loan application open. Applications already submitted will stay in their current status, but no funds will be sent at this time. This ensures we’re ready to move fast if pay is missed. Civilian Employees: CGMA will process and send payments through the shutdown loan program as usual. Other Programs: At this time, CGMA assistance is limited exclusively to emergency needs, such as emergency travel and essential living expenses. We ask members to postpone non-emergency requests until the lapse is resolved. Before applying, check with your bank or credit union to see if you have other options. CGMA wants to help, but our resources are limited because we rely on allotment donations, which are also paused during a shutdown. To make a gift to support Coast Guard families in need, click here.”
See Bank of Hawaii offers financial help to furloughed employees and Bank of Guam offers payment assistance to federal and NMI workers. The Navy Federal Credit Union, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, First Hawaiian Bank, BankPacific, Coast360 Federal Credit Union and Community First Guam Federal Credit Union, have branches in Guam also offering help.
The National Military Family Association has this message on its website:
“Congress has yet to reach an agreement to fund the government, which means that the government is still shut down. While the Administration has announced that it has identified funds to pay service members as scheduled on October 31, we know that many military and veteran families have been financially impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. NMFA will continue pressing Congress to pass a spending bill and reopen the government. In the meantime, if your military family is struggling, we encourage you to reach out to one or more of the resources listed below. We’ll continue to update the list as we learn of more programs and resources to support military and veteran families during this difficult time."
Service Relief Societies offers grants or no-interest loans to currently serving and retired service members experiencing financial hardship
Military OneSource provides a list of food security resources and support programs.
Operation Homefront offers financial assistance to eligible service members experiencing financial hardship.
The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance program offers grants for active-duty service members with minor children.
The ASYMCA [American Service YMCA] provides food assistance at its local branches to help military personnel and their families.
Visit Feeding America for a list of food banks and other nutrition support programs.
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans serves veterans and their families who are at risk of homelessness.
Even as this shutdown stretches on with no clear end in sight, one thing remains certain: military families continue to carry the weight of uncertainty.”
Military OneSource is offering a variety of help.
“To help military families manage expenses during the government shutdown, the Military Star Credit Card is offering three months of 0% interest and no payments on all commissary purchases made through Nov. 30 for all new and existing cardholders – available at every commissary location.”
Families with students at Department of Defense Education Activity schools can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements are based on income and family size.
In related news, James C. Moylan, Guam’s delegate to Congress, shared the following in a Nov. 5 release:
Chase Bank today announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. 1-888-356-0023 | Credit Card, Mortgage, Banking, Auto | Chase Online | Chase.com
USAA is Offering deferments for all loans and credit card payments. 1-800-531-8722 | https://www.usaa.com/
PayPal has allocated $25 million to fund interest-free cash advances to furloughed Federal workers that need assistance right now. This is for both new and existing PayPal Credit customers. Minimum loan is $250 with a maximum cash advance of $500. Your account does need to be in good standing if you’re an existing PayPal Credit customer. 1-877-689-1975
The U.S. Employees Credit Union is also offering shutdown loans, but only until Tuesday, Jan. 15. (312) 922.5310
TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into non-pay status. They do not require documentation about your furlough currently. Missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to go into default. Log in to your account to check your status Thrift Line: 1-877-968-3778.
Detailed information on other resources can be found on Moylan’s website at https://moylan.house.gov/
On Oct. 24, the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed Guam’s Department of Public Health and Social Services that federal SNAP benefits were to be temporarily paused starting Nov.1.
The Guam Legislature’s Public Law 38-75 will cover $12.3 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and $800,000 in Women, Infants, and Children program benefits for November. Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero signed the bill into law on Oct. 27.
“DPHSS will distribute the first half (50%) of November General Food Assistance Benefits on the same dates families normally receive their SNAP benefits. If the federal government shutdown continues and SNAP benefits are still unavailable, the remaining 50% will be distributed mid-November,” a release from DPHSS said. mbj
Journal Staff
As the U.S. federal government shutdown continues, a variety of organizations in the islands and nationally have stepped forward to offer aid to affected U.S. military personnel, some of whom have been furloughed.
The U.S. Department of War’s latest statement is, “The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sept. 30. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status, without pay, until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.”
The situation has also affected the Guam National Guard’s reserve members. See Furloughs issued in Guam as U.S. shutdown continues
These are the posts from U.S. military support organizations:
“Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is prepared to step in the moment Coast Guard families need help. CGMA will offer interest-free loans to help with important bills like rent, insurance, and daycare. Coast Guard military and civilian employees are eligible to borrow up to their monthly Basic Allowance for Housing as needed. Active-Duty Members: CGMA Headquarters will keep the shutdown loan application open. Applications already submitted will stay in their current status, but no funds will be sent at this time. This ensures we’re ready to move fast if pay is missed. Civilian Employees: CGMA will process and send payments through the shutdown loan program as usual. Other Programs: At this time, CGMA assistance is limited exclusively to emergency needs, such as emergency travel and essential living expenses. We ask members to postpone non-emergency requests until the lapse is resolved. Before applying, check with your bank or credit union to see if you have other options. CGMA wants to help, but our resources are limited because we rely on allotment donations, which are also paused during a shutdown. To make a gift to support Coast Guard families in need, click here.”
See Bank of Hawaii offers financial help to furloughed employees and Bank of Guam offers payment assistance to federal and NMI workers. The Navy Federal Credit Union, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, First Hawaiian Bank, BankPacific, Coast360 Federal Credit Union and Community First Guam Federal Credit Union, have branches in Guam also offering help.
The National Military Family Association has this message on its website:
“Congress has yet to reach an agreement to fund the government, which means that the government is still shut down. While the Administration has announced that it has identified funds to pay service members as scheduled on October 31, we know that many military and veteran families have been financially impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. NMFA will continue pressing Congress to pass a spending bill and reopen the government. In the meantime, if your military family is struggling, we encourage you to reach out to one or more of the resources listed below. We’ll continue to update the list as we learn of more programs and resources to support military and veteran families during this difficult time."
Service Relief Societies offers grants or no-interest loans to currently serving and retired service members experiencing financial hardship
- Army Emergency Relief
- Air Force Aid Society
- Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
- Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
Military OneSource provides a list of food security resources and support programs.
Operation Homefront offers financial assistance to eligible service members experiencing financial hardship.
The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance program offers grants for active-duty service members with minor children.
The ASYMCA [American Service YMCA] provides food assistance at its local branches to help military personnel and their families.
Visit Feeding America for a list of food banks and other nutrition support programs.
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans serves veterans and their families who are at risk of homelessness.
Even as this shutdown stretches on with no clear end in sight, one thing remains certain: military families continue to carry the weight of uncertainty.”
Military OneSource is offering a variety of help.
“To help military families manage expenses during the government shutdown, the Military Star Credit Card is offering three months of 0% interest and no payments on all commissary purchases made through Nov. 30 for all new and existing cardholders – available at every commissary location.”
Families with students at Department of Defense Education Activity schools can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements are based on income and family size.
In related news, James C. Moylan, Guam’s delegate to Congress, shared the following in a Nov. 5 release:
Chase Bank today announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. 1-888-356-0023 | Credit Card, Mortgage, Banking, Auto | Chase Online | Chase.com
USAA is Offering deferments for all loans and credit card payments. 1-800-531-8722 | https://www.usaa.com/
PayPal has allocated $25 million to fund interest-free cash advances to furloughed Federal workers that need assistance right now. This is for both new and existing PayPal Credit customers. Minimum loan is $250 with a maximum cash advance of $500. Your account does need to be in good standing if you’re an existing PayPal Credit customer. 1-877-689-1975
The U.S. Employees Credit Union is also offering shutdown loans, but only until Tuesday, Jan. 15. (312) 922.5310
TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into non-pay status. They do not require documentation about your furlough currently. Missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to go into default. Log in to your account to check your status Thrift Line: 1-877-968-3778.
Detailed information on other resources can be found on Moylan’s website at https://moylan.house.gov/
On Oct. 24, the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed Guam’s Department of Public Health and Social Services that federal SNAP benefits were to be temporarily paused starting Nov.1.
The Guam Legislature’s Public Law 38-75 will cover $12.3 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and $800,000 in Women, Infants, and Children program benefits for November. Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero signed the bill into law on Oct. 27.
“DPHSS will distribute the first half (50%) of November General Food Assistance Benefits on the same dates families normally receive their SNAP benefits. If the federal government shutdown continues and SNAP benefits are still unavailable, the remaining 50% will be distributed mid-November,” a release from DPHSS said. mbj
