Resources for Airmen, Guardians and Civilians

Assistance is available to reduce the impact of a government shutdown on Airmen, Guardians, civilians and their families through various means. This page contains a variety of resources and guidance to help mitigate financial, personal and other difficulties that individuals may experience during a government shutdown. Individuals requiring additional support should contact their supervisors or leaders for guidance.

For the most current Department of War information related to the lapse in appropriations, visit https://www.war.gov/Lapse-In-Appropriations/.

Note: The appearance of hyperlinks on this website does not constitute endorsement by the United States Space Force, Department of the Air Force, or the Department of War, of the external Web site or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Space Force does not exercise editorial control over the information you may find at these locations or the privacy and user policies of these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this page.

 

Colorado State-wide Resources

- Homefront Military Network: Colorado-based coalition supporting military members and families with housing, food, and utilities. (https://homefrontmilitarynetwork.org)
- 211 Colorado: Statewide referral line for food, housing, and utilities (includes veteran-specific resources). (https://www.211colorado.org/) or dial 211.
- Colorado Crisis Services: Hotline: (844) 493-8255 or Text 38255. (https://coloradocrisisservices.org)
- Summer EBT Program: (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/summer-ebt)

Colorado Springs Resources

FOOD SECURITY & OTHER RESOURCES
- “The Peak” Food Pantry: A volunteer-run and donation-supported food pantry, managed by the Peterson, Schriever, Cheyenne Mountain Spouses’ Club, located inside the RePete Thrift Shop on Peterson SFB open to anyone in need of assistance within the active duty or activated reservist military community. Open Tues/Thurs 6pm-8pm & Wed/3rd Sat of month 9-11 am, (https://www.pscspousesclub.org/peak)
- Care & Share Food Bank: Food distribution across Southern Colorado. (https://careandshare.org/)
- Local Pantries (Colorado Springs): Crossfire Ministries, Sunny Side Market (https://www.crossfireministries.org), (https://sunnysidemarket.org)
- Airman’s Attic & Peterson Pantry (Peterson SFB): Free household goods, food, and clothing. (https://21fss.com/military-family-readiness)
- Westside CARES: (https://www.westsidecares.org)
- Solid Rock Community Food Center: (https://www.facebook.com/SolidRockCommunityFoodPantry)
- Project Angel Heart: W. Uintah Street, Mon-Sat (hours vary), 719-323-0084, (https://www.projectangelheart.org)

HOUSING & UTILITIES ASSISTANCE
- Energy Outreach Colorado: Statewide assistance for utility bills. (https://www.energyoutreach.org/)
- Project COPE (Colorado Springs): Utility and crisis assistance via local agencies. (https://projectcopecs.org/get-help)
- Catholic Charities of Central Colorado: Rent, utility, and veteran assistance. (https://www.ccharitiescc.org/get-help/rent-utility-services/)
- City of Colorado Springs – Housing Help: Housing, rent/mortgage assistance, and veteran housing programs (https://coloradosprings.gov/housing-help-and-resources)
- El Paso County Human Services: SNAP, cash, and child care for military families living off-base. (https://humanservices.elpasoco.com/assistance-programs/)
- Colorado Springs Utilities – Customer Assistance: Utility bill and repair help for COS families. (https://www.csu.org/customer-assistance/)

FAMILY, COUNSELING & SPECIAL PROGRAMS
- Mount Carmel Veterans Center: (https://www.veteranscenter.org/)

CHILD/PARENT RESOURCES
- WIC – El Paso County: Provides qualifying women and children with supplemental food, nutrition education, and referrals to community programs. Call 719-578-3199, option 6.
 

Denver Resources

FOOD SECURITY & OTHER RESOURCES
- Buckley Spouses Alliance 'The Center': On-base food pantry for all ranks. (https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/)
- Gretel’s Pantry (Buckley SFB): Base pantry for Buckley families
- Food Bank of the Rockies: Denver-region food distribution. (https://www.foodbankrockies.org/)
- Jewish Family Service – Denver Food Pantry: (https://www.jewishfamilyservice.org/services/denver-food-pantry)
- Eastern Hills Community Church: Marketplace food distribution, 1st & 3rd Thursday monthly. (https://ehills.org)

HOUSING & UTILITIES ASSISTANCE
- Energy Outreach Colorado: Statewide assistance for utility bills. (https://www.energyoutreach.org/)
- Catholic Charities of Central Colorado: Rent, utility, and veteran assistance. (https://www.ccharitiescc.org/get-help/rent-utility-services/)

FAMILY, COUNSELING & SPECIAL PROGRAMS
- Veterans Center: (https://www.veteranscenter.org/)

National-Level and Other Resources

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Immediate Financial Relief:
- Air Force Aid Society (AFAS): (https://afas.org/). AFAS continues to process requests through their approved categories of support and may assist with immediate needs such as basic living expenses (food, gas, utilities) if a paycheck protection option is not available from financial institutions.
     Sister service Aid Societies:
     Financial Assistance | Army Emergency Relief
     Financial Assistance | Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

- American Red Cross Hero Care Network: Emergency travel, food, shelter, and financial aid. (https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/military-families.html)
- Military Star Card: Provides 0% interest and no payments on commissary purchases (short-term relief). (https://www.myecp.com/)
- Operation Homefront: Provides short-term financial assistance for military families facing hardship. (https://operationhomefront.org/)
- USA Cares: Assists with immediate and essential bills for service-related financial stress. (https://usacares.org/)
- VFW Unmet Needs Program: Grants up to $1,500 for basic needs; creditors paid directly. (https://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants)
- Bank & Credit Union Programs: Several institutions offer assistance, including USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union, PenFed, First Command, and ENT Credit Union.
- USAA: 0% interest shutdown loan ($500-$6,000). (https://www.usaa.com/support/government-shutdown-program)
- Navy Federal Credit Union: Government shutdown loan program. https://www.navyfederal.org/about/government-shutdown.html)
- PenFed Credit Union: No-interest furlough loan. (https://www.penfed.org/furlough)
- First Command: Pay advances (up to 6 months) (https://www.firstcommand.com/government-shutdown-assistance)
- ENT Credit Union: Loan deferments and Skip-a-Pay program. https://www.ent.com)
- American Bank Association (ABA) – Bank Relief Programs: Lists banks offering shutdown relief (fee waivers, loans).(https://www.aba.com/news-research/analysis-guides/government-shutdown-bank-action-2025)
- Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA): No-interest loans up to $1,500 for federal employees. (https://feea.org/)
- Thrift Savings Plan Loans: Check options for loans: (https://www.tsp.gov/tsp-loans)

Civilian-Specific Resources
- Unemployment Benefits: Available to furloughed (not excepted) civilians; repayment required if retroactive pay is received. (https://www.opm.gov)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling, legal, financial, and stress support for DoD Civilian employees. Call 1-866-580-9078. More information can be found at: (https://www.afpc.af.mil/EAP) or (https://member.magellanhealthcare.com).

Additional Financial Readiness Information
- FINRED (usalearning.gov)
- Financial & Legal | Military OneSource
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov)

FOOD SECURITY & OTHER RESOURCES
- Feeding America: Connects individuals with SNAP application assistance and local food programs. (https://www.feedingamerica.org/)
- FoodPantries.org: Directory of local food banks and pantries. (https://www.foodpantries.org/)
- Soldiers’ Angels: Food support for military families. (https://soldiersangels.org)
- Federal Food & Nutrition Program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): (https://www.fns.usda.gov)
- Kids Food Finder: 855-855-4626, (https://kidsfoodfinder.org)

HOUSING & UTILITIES ASSISTANCE
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Help with heating, cooling, and emergency energy bills. (https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap)

FAMILY, COUNSELING & SPECIAL PROGRAMS
- Military OneSource: Counseling, financial coaching, spouse resources, and MilTax. MilLife Support: Programs for families with special needs, wounded warriors, and survivors. (https://www.militaryonesource.mil/)
- Military & Family Readiness Centers (M&FRC): Peterson, Schriever offices provide planning assistance. Peterson: 719-556-6141, Schriever: 719-567-3920
- Blue Star Families: Community-based support for military families navigating financial stress. (https://bluestarfam.org)
- Five & Thrive: Supports military families in childcare, education, healthcare, housing, and spouse employment. (https://www.fiveandthrive.org)

CHILDCARE RESOURCES
- Child Care Aware of America: Provider directory + fee assistance **May be limited (https://www.childcareaware.org)
- MilitaryChildCare.com: DoD-approved childcare options. **May be limited (https://www.militarychildcare.com)
- Operation Child Care Project: Advocacy & support for military children. (https://operationchildcareproject.org)

CONSUMER PROTECTION & LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PLANNING
- FTC (Federal Trade Commission): Protects against fraud and scams. (https://www.ftc.gov)
- IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center): Report cybercrime and online fraud. (https://www.ic3.gov)
- Better Business Bureau: Research businesses, file complaints. (https://www.bbb.org)
- National Consumers League: Fraud prevention and scam awareness. (https://www.nclnet.org)
- Do Not Call Registry: Reduce telemarketing calls. (https://www.donotcall.gov)
- Opt Out Prescreen: Stop unsolicited credit offers. (https://www.optoutprescreen.com)
- Annual Credit Report: Access free yearly credit reports. (https://www.annualcreditreport.com)
- NEFE (National Endowment for Financial Education): Financial education and planning. (https://www.nefe.org)
- FINRA Save & Invest: Investor education. (https://www.saveandinvest.org)
- NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling): Credit counseling services. (https://www.nfcc.org)
- TSP (Thrift Savings Plan): Check options for loans/adjustments during hardship. (https://www.tsp.gov)
- SSA (Social Security Administration): Retirement and benefits info. (https://www.ssa.gov)
- IRS (Internal Revenue Service): Taxpayer services and filing info. (https://www.irs.gov)

General Tips

Money Management

Plan ahead – delay non-essential purchases
Build a bare-bones budget
Use emergency funds and credit cautiously
Continue TSP/retirement contributions cautiously

Communication

Contact banks, creditors, and landlords early to discuss potential payment delays
Maintain communication with leadership

Fraud Protection

Avoid payday and predatory loans
Guard your Social Security number and protect your personal information online
Practice safe computing habits (use antivirus software, create strong passwords)

Well-Being

Utilize Military OneSource and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health support
Leverage family and community support networks

 

United States Space Force

Official United States Space Force Website