Shutdown Loan
On Watch. Always Ready. Always Here. In the event of a shutdown and resulting pay halt, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) 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 (BAH) as needed.
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.
Amount
Type of Assistance
Eligibility
How to Apply
Online application available starting October 13, 2025
What's Covered?
CGMA loans are designed to support rent, utilities, food, and emergency needs during a government shutdown. Loans are interest-free and calculated based on one month’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), determined by the military member’s pay grade and region. You may reapply once per month if the government shutdown continues.
- USCG GS civilian employees will receive the equivalent of E-7 BAH.
- Non-Appropriated Fund and Wage Grade (NAF/WG) employees will receive the equivalent of E-5 BAH.
- Members married to members are both eligible for individual loans.
- CG Academy cadets will receive their typical monthly stipend.
Loans must be repaid via allotment within three months of regular pay being reinstated.
Eligibility Note: Members expected to be Released From Active Duty (RELAD) within 30 days or those undergoing discharge proceedings are not eligible for this program.
Other Resources
- Navy Federal Credit Union: interest-free loan in the amount of direct deposit pay, up to $6,000, no credit check.
- PenFed: interest-free loan equal to the amount of your paycheck if your payroll is directly deposited into your PenFed checking account.
- USAA: interest-free loan in the amount of direct deposit pay, up to $6,000, must be repaid within three months.
- First Command: interest-free payroll advances in the amount of direct deposit pay, must be repaid within three months.
Other CGMA Programs
All emergency financial programs will remain open, and all other programs will be prioritized for processing and may be suspended. During a shutdown, CGMA prioritizes all programs to ensure the swift processing of shutdown loan requests.
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