Military Charities Brace for Spike in Aid Requests as Shutdown Threatens Troop Pay

With the military payday approaching on Oct. 15 and the federal government shutdown showing no signs of resolution, official service relief charities are experiencing a significant increase in requests for financial assistance from service members and their families.

The Army Emergency Relief (AER) fund has announced that it has approved $7.3 million in emergency payments for active-duty soldiers who are facing a missed paycheck next week. “We are ready for $50 million but will make changes as necessary if more is required,” AER spokesperson Sean Ryan informed Task & Purpose.

Since Wednesday, over 6,000 soldiers have created new accounts on AER’s website—suggesting that as many as 90% of those users are anticipated to seek cash assistance, according to Ryan. The group's online application portal temporarily went down due to the overwhelming surge in demand. “At this time, applications are being accepted on the portal for approval and are being queued to ensure they are prepared for payment by [October] 15th,” he stated.

Former Sergeant Major of the Army Tony Grinston, currently serving as AER’s CEO, stated that all requests for assistance must receive approval from the soldiers’ chain of command. “The funds being provided will not surpass the mid-month salary of soldiers,” he stated in a video message shared on Instagram.

Charities from other branches are preparing for unprecedented demand. Chad Britton, a spokesperson for the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), reported that the organization has received “several hundred requests for financial assistance” since the shutdown began, noting that applications “are increasing daily.”

“This is uncharted territory for us as servicemembers have consistently received their pay during shutdowns,” stated retired Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, AFAS CEO. “We are proactively exploring the most effective ways to assist our Airmen, Guardians, and their families while addressing financial shortfalls.”

AFAS, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), and AER serve as the official nonprofit support organizations for their respective branches. Each offers financial assistance through cash grants or zero-interest loans to address urgent needs like medical expenses, housing costs, or travel expenses.

AER has allocated $1 billion to soldiers since 9/11, AFAS contributed $14 million to airmen and guardians in 2024, and NMCRS assisted nearly 24,000 sailors and Marines last year, as reported by the organizations.

Although the organizations assert their financial readiness to address the situation, leaders recognize that prolonged shutdowns will put pressure on their resources. “Our purpose is clear—to stand by soldiers during challenging moments,” Ryan stated.