Department of War Continues Family Support During Government Shutdown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 1, 2025

Operating hours and status of Department of War’s quality of life and family readiness programs may vary at the local installation level due to the government shutdown scheduled to begin at midnight.

“In the event of a shutdown, it’s important we continue to support our people,” said Stephen B. Simmons, deputy assistant secretary of war for Military Community and Family Policy. “A number of critical programs and services, including our non-medical counseling, access to our Military OneSource call center, and spouse education and career counseling services will continue uninterrupted. We know this can be one more distraction for our military-connected families, and we want to make sure they’re aware of resources still available to them regardless of a shutdown.”

The list below provides guidance regarding the operating status of these programs while the government is shut down:

• Military OneSource: Military OneSource is a Department-funded program including both a contact center and a website providing comprehensive information, resources and assistance on every aspect of military life. Military OneSource is expected to remain operational until early March 2026 in the event of a government shutdown.
  • Service members and the families of active duty, National Guard, reserve and Coast Guard (regardless of activation status), Department expeditionary civilians, and survivors are eligible for Military OneSource services, which are available worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, free to the user.  Visit the website at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ or call 800-342-9647 to speak with a consultant.
• Child Development Centers (CDCs), School Age Care (SACs) programs, and Youth Programs: CDCs and SACs will remain, at a minimum, operational for mission essential purposes. Contact your local program/installation for details/guidance.
• Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA): DoDEA schools and district offices worldwide will remain open. Headquarters and regional offices are affected by the shutdown. Extracurricular activities, including athletics and after-school clubs, will continue during the current lapse in appropriations.
• The Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) program: The MFLC program is expected to continue uninterrupted until mid-January 2026 in the event of a government shutdown. If a MFLC counselor is unable to access the installation during a shutdown, they will work offsite until regaining access to the installation.
• Military exchanges will remain open worldwide.
• Department lodging will remain open worldwide.
• The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) will continue full operation of all 235 commissaries for up to 60 days or until all DeCA defense working capital funds are exhausted in the event of a government shutdown. At that time, the 58 OCONUS (including Puerto Rico and Guam) and five commissaries identified as remote (MCMWTC Bridgeport, CA; Fort Irwin, CA; CGS Kodiak, AK; Fort Greely, AK; and Dugway Proving Grounds, UT) will remain open in compliance with the Department’s Contingency Plan Guidance for Continuation of Essential Operations in the Absence of Available Appropriation. All remaining CONUS commissaries will shut down in an orderly fashion to reduce the amount of perishables on-hand and properly safeguard equipment and facilities.
• Military and Family Support Centers: Staffing and services may vary by installation during a government shutdown. Contact your local center or installation for guidance.
• Family Advocacy Program (FAP): Staffing and services may vary during a government shutdown. Contact your installation FAP office for details. Find contact information for your nearest FAP office and domestic abuse victim advocates by using the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/tools/domestic-abuse-victim-advocate-locator/. You may also contact your local child protection agency or Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 800-422-4453, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233.
• Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs (MWR) and Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) activities and other operations necessary to support and deemed “excepted activities”(e.g., physical fitness and training centers) will not be impacted by a government shutdown. Select MWR and NAF activities not deemed excepted will remain open subject to the availability of NAF funding levels. Check with your local installation for guidance on what facilities are impacted.
• Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program: The SECO Career Center and MySECO websites will continue to operate through the month of February 2026 in the event of a government shutdown. SECO career coaches will be available to provide education and career services to military spouses. Call the SECO Career Center at 800-342-9647 or visit the MySECO website to access comprehensive career support for eligible military spouses.
• My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA): No new requests for financial assistance will be approved after September 30 in the event of a government shutdown. If a spouse request for financial assistance was approved prior to September 30, they may continue to attend classes. Call the SECO Career Center at 800-342-9647 or visit the SECO website and continue to monitor the MyCAA portal for any updates.
• Casualty and Mortuary Affairs: The service departments will continue to provide casualty assistance and mortuary affairs support to families of deceased service members worldwide in the event of a government shutdown. Contact your casualty assistance officer/casualty assistance calls officer, or respective service department for any assistance.
• Long term survivor assistance: There will be limited availability for long term care to surviving family members in the event of a government shutdown. Contact your respective service department’s long-term case managers for details: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/casualty-assistance/survivor-support/survivors-guide-to-access-resources/
• Military Funeral Honors: The military departments will continue to provide military funeral honors to eligible service members and veterans during a government shutdown. Funeral honors may be limited at some locations. Family members and funeral directors may find contact information for requesting funeral honors through Military OneSource: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/tools/military-funeral-honors-directory/.