What veterans and their families need to know
Imagine this: You wake up on October 1 to find your paycheck or benefits could be delayed — not because of anything you did, but because Washington lawmakers couldn’t approve a budget. That’s the fear for millions of troops, veterans, and their families as the September 30 government shutdown deadline looms. Let’s walk through what’s at stake, how this could affect VA benefits, and what you can expect.
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Why there might be a shutdown
Congress has to approve money for the federal government every year. If they don’t pass a new budget or at least a short-term extension by September 30, the money runs out and most government agencies must partially shut down.
Lawmakers are now at an impasse. Senators aren’t even scheduled to return until September 29, which doesn’t give them a lot of time to reach an agreement. even canceled a meeting with congressional leaders, stoking further concerns the clock will run out.
When that occurs, the impact ripples across the country — and veterans often find themselves caught in the middle.
What’s the impact on military pay paychecks?
Here’s one of the biggest worries: if the shutdown happens, active-duty troops, including reservists on federal orders, still must show up to work. Business as usual — but paychecks may not be. Based on previous shutdowns, pay would be delayed until lawmakers reach a new deal on funding.
That would cause many military families to have unexpected delays in paying bills, groceries, or rent. Specialty pays and stipends could also be delayed, adding to the pressure.
There is one glimmer of hope, though. Some lawmakers have introduced the Pay Our Troops Act of 2026, which would allow troops and certain civilian employees to keep receiving pay even in a shutdown. The bill is bipartisan but has not passed yet, so there lies no guarantee that it will be implemented on time.
What about military retirees and veterans?
If you are a military retiree or receiving annuity payments, here is some good news: those checks come from a different fund. So, retirees and annuitants will see their payments arrive on time, even in the event of a shutdown.
For veterans receiving VA disability compensation, pensions, or survivor benefits, payments should also continue because they are mandatory spending. The same applies to VA health care services, which are separately appropriated and will not shut down.
There could be delays in certain services if the shutdown continues, though. For example, appeals or processing of new claims can be delayed if staff are furloughed.
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Permanent change of station (PCS) moves could be limited
Another area affected is relocation. If you or your family have a permanent change of station (PCS) move pending, those moves may be stopped unless they are considered “mission essential.” That’s what occurred during past shutdowns. Imagine being all packed up, ready to move across the country, and then finding out that you can’t go yet. That’s a very real possibility if the shutdown isn’t resolved soon.
Why VA families are feeling the strain
The White House already indicated that a shutdown would hit the most vulnerable citizens — including veterans, seniors, and military families. For those who live paycheck to paycheck, even a temporary delay can be stressful. Try going without one paycheck while still having to pay for housing, food, and childcare.
This is why so many defense agencies are already dusting off guidance from past shutdowns, preparing personnel for what might be coming their way. But so far, there is no new guidance from the Office of Management and Budget or the Department of Defense. Everybody is waiting to find out what Congress will do.
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