Shutdown Looms Again: Military Families Should Prepare

As Congress approaches its Friday night funding deadline, military families are once again facing the possibility of a partial government shutdown. While negotiations continue behind the scenes, uncertainty remains about whether lawmakers will reach an agreement in time to keep the government fully funded. For military families, these moments are more than political standoffs. They raise immediate questions and concerns about pay, benefits, installation services, and overall stability.

The Senate had been expected to vote this week on the final six FY2026 appropriations bills. However, disagreements over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) due to recent events have stalled progress.

Because all six funding measures are bundled together in a single package, opposition to one bill could delay or block funding for all of them, including defense funding.  If lawmakers don’t reach an agreement before midnight tonight, parts of the federal government could shut down for several days or longer (again).

A partial shutdown could affect several agencies that either directly or indirectly support military families. In addition to DHS, this includes the Department of Defense (DoD), the Departments of Education, State, Labor, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development. Every one of these agencies plays a critical role in military readiness, family housing, health care access, education programs, employment services, and community support systems that military families rely on.

There are, however, some services protected under current funding.

• The Department of Commerce is fully funded, which means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration won’t be affected.
• The Department of Agriculture is also fully funded, so SNAP benefits will continue without interruption.
• Service members are still expected to receive their February 1 pay as scheduled, which provides important reassurance for families managing household budgets.
• The Defense Commissary Agency has announced that commissaries worldwide will remain open through the end of March even if a shutdown occurs.

While these protections offer some stability, even a partial shutdown still carries real consequences for military families, and DoD hasn’t issued any additional guidance yet regarding other possible impacts to operations or services. Many civilian employees who support military operations, including military spouses, could face furloughs or delayed pay. Programs that depend on federal staffing may pause or begin operating at reduced capacity. Even a short shutdown can strain family finances, disrupt routines, and increase stress for families already navigating the challenges associated with military life.

Military families deserve predictability and clarity, not last-minute uncertainty tied to unresolved budget negotiations. While some protections are in place, a potential shutdown can still create stress and disruption, particularly for families already balancing deployments, frequent moves, and tight household budgets.

Sharing this information isn’t meant to cause alarm or create unnecessary fear. It’s meant to ensure military families have clear, accurate information of what’s unfolding so they can plan ahead and feel grounded in what is known. Staying informed helps families make thoughtful decisions, ask the right questions, and navigate uncertainty with confidence rather than surprise.