JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The federal government shutdown is already putting strain on thousands of local military families, many of whom say they don’t expect another paycheck in October.
One Jacksonville mother, who asked to remain anonymous, told News4JAX the uncertainty has left her family in crisis mode.
“Definitely terrifying thinking in my head, oh God, how are we going to pay for our bills? How are we going to afford our rent? How are we going to pay for her formula, her diapers, everything?” she said.
Duval County is home to more than 68,000 military members and civilian defense employees. During a shutdown, essential federal workers — including military service members — are required to work without pay. Nonessential staff face furloughs or temporary layoffs.
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Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., says he is cosponsoring legislation that would ensure service members continue to receive pay during government shutdowns.
“If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, you can’t afford to miss one,” Fine said. “It’s not as though they’re not going to get paid [eventually], but for those people who don’t have a lot of money sitting in the bank, they’re going to have real issues. And that’s what this bill would address.”
Financial institutions are also stepping in to offer relief. VyStar Credit Union, headquartered in Jacksonville, says it is prepared to help military families with emergency relief loans, “skip-a-pay” programs for existing loans or credit cards, and mortgage assistance.
“We offer things like emergency relief loans that really look at supplementing their monthly paychecks,” said Dana Karzan, VyStar’s chief marketing officer.
USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union have announced similar programs.
But for many families, temporary relief doesn’t solve the bigger issue.
“Our military, they’re the ones that sign the government contract to go fight for our country,” the Jacksonville mother said. “But our lawmakers who are supposed to be in charge of our country, they aren’t really doing what’s best for the American people.”
The first missed paycheck for active-duty service members would come on Oct. 15 if the shutdown continues. Back pay is guaranteed once federal funding is restored.
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