Collection of Resources for Guardians and Airmen During a Lapse in Appropriations

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PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. --  This guide provides a consolidated overview of some of the resources available to assist service members, civilian employees, and their families during the current lapse in appropriations. Inclusion on this list does not imply or constitute endorsement. Those interested should contact the listed organizations directly for specific eligibility requirements and to apply for assistance. Note that some resources are local to certain areas. 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
  1.  Immediate Financial Relief:
    1. Air Force Aid Society (AFAS): Offers emergency grants** and no-interest loans for basic living expenses, with potential shutdown-specific aid if pay is disrupted after October 15. (https://afas.org/)
    2. Military Star Card: Provides 0% interest and no payments on commissary purchases (short-term relief). (https://www.myecp.com/)
    3. Operation Homefront: Provides short-term financial assistance for military families facing hardship. (https://operationhomefront.org/)
    4. USA Cares: Assists with immediate and essential bills for service-related financial stress. (https://usacares.org/)
    5. VFW Unmet Needs Program: Grants up to $1,500 for basic needs; creditors paid directly. (https://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants)
    6. Bank & Credit Union Programs: Several institutions offer assistance, including USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union, PenFed, First Command, and ENT Credit Union.
    7. USAA: 0% interest shutdown loan ($500-$6,000). (https://www.usaa.com/support/government-shutdown-program)
    8. Navy Federal Credit Union: Government shutdown loan program. https://www.navyfederal.org/about/government-shutdown.html)
    9. PenFed Credit Union: No-interest furlough loan. (https://www.penfed.org/furlough)
    10. First Command: Pay advances (up to 6 months) (https://www.firstcommand.com/government-shutdown-assistance)
    11. ENT Credit Union: Loan deferments and Skip-a-Pay program. https://www.ent.com)
    12. 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)
    13. Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA): No-interest loans up to $1,500 for federal employees. (https://feea.org/)
    14. Thrift Savings Plan Loans: Check options for loans: (https://www.tsp.gov/tsp-loans)
  2. Civilian-Specific Resources
1. Unemployment Benefits: Available to furloughed (not excepted) civilians; repayment required if retroactive pay is received. (https://www.opm.gov)
2. 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).
 
  1. Additional Financial Readiness Information
    1. FINRED (usalearning.gov)
    2. Financial & Legal | Military OneSource
    3. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov)

FOOD SECURITY & OTHER RESOURCES
  1. Feeding America: Connects individuals with SNAP application assistance and local food programs. (https://www.feedingamerica.org/)
  2. FoodPantries.org: Directory of local food banks and pantries. (https://www.foodpantries.org/)
  3. Care & Share Food Bank: Food distribution across Southern Colorado. (https://careandshare.org/)
  4. Food Bank of the Rockies: Denver-region food distribution. (https://www.foodbankrockies.org/)
  5. Gretel’s Pantry (Buckley SFB): Base pantry for Buckley families.
  6. Buckley Spouses Alliance 'The Center': On-base food pantry for all ranks. (https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/)
  7. Airman’s Attic & Peterson Pantry (Peterson SFB): Free household goods, food, and clothing. (https://21fss.com/military-family-readiness)
  8. Local Pantries (Colorado Springs): Crossfire Ministries, Sunny Side Market (https://www.crossfireministries.org), (https://sunnysidemarket.org)
  9. Westside CARES: (https://www.westsidecares.org)
  10. Solid Rock Community Food Center: (https://www.facebook.com/SolidRockCommunityFoodPantry)
  11. Jewish Family Service – Denver Food Pantry: (https://www.jewishfamilyservice.org/services/denver-food-pantry)
  12. Eastern Hills Community Church: Marketplace food distribution, 1st & 3rd Thursday monthly. (https://ehills.org)
  13. Soldiers’ Angels: Food support for military families. (https://soldiersangels.org)
  14. El Paso County Dept. of Human Services: Strives to protect the most vulnerable citizens while giving them efficient access to services provided by local, state and federal governments, including food assistance. Call 719-636-0000.
  15. Federal Food & Nutrition Program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): (https://www.fns.usda.gov)
  16. Summer EBT Program: (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/summer-ebt)
  17. Kids Food Finder: 855-855-4626, (https://kidsfoodfinder.org)
  18. Project Angel Heart: W. Uintah Street, Mon-Sat (hours vary), 719-323-0084, (https://www.projectangelheart.org)
  19.  “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)
HOUSING & UTILITIES ASSISTANCE
  1. 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)
  2. Energy Outreach Colorado: Statewide assistance for utility bills. (https://www.energyoutreach.org/)
  3. Project COPE (Colorado Springs): Utility and crisis assistance via local agencies. (https://projectcopecs.org/get-help)
  4. Catholic Charities of Central Colorado: Rent, utility, and veteran assistance. (https://www.ccharitiescc.org/get-help/rent-utility-services/)
  5. City of Colorado Springs – Housing Help: Housing, rent/mortgage assistance, and veteran housing programs (https://coloradosprings.gov/housing-help-and-resources)
  6. El Paso County Human Services: SNAP, cash, and child care for military families living off-base. (https://humanservices.elpasoco.com/assistance-programs/)
  7. Colorado Springs Utilities – Customer Assistance: Utility bill and repair help for COS families. (https://www.csu.org/customer-assistance/)

FAMILY, COUNSELING & SPECIAL PROGRAMS
  1. Military OneSource: Counseling, financial coaching, spouse resources, and MilTax. (https://www.militaryonesource.mil/)
  2. MilLife Support: Programs for families with special needs, wounded warriors, and survivors. (https://www.militaryonesource.mil)
  3. American Red Cross Hero Care Network: Emergency travel, food, shelter, and financial aid. (https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/military-families.html)
  4. Military & Family Readiness Centers (M&FRC): Peterson, Schriever offices provide planning assistance. Peterson: 719-556-6141, Schriever: 719-567-3920
  5. Pikes Peak United Way (Colorado Springs): Crisis stabilization, emergency financial aid, and veteran services (https://www.ppunitedway.org/current-grantees/)
  6. 211 Colorado: Statewide referral line for food, housing, and utilities (includes veteran-specific resources). (https://www.211colorado.org/) or dial 211.
  7. Blue Star Families: Community-based support for military families navigating financial stress. (https://bluestarfam.org)
  8. Five & Thrive: Supports military families in childcare, education, healthcare, housing, and spouse employment. (https://www.fiveandthrive.org)
  9. Homefront Military Network: Colorado-based coalition supporting military members and families with housing, food, and utilities. (https://homefrontmilitarynetwork.org)
  10. Department of War – Taking Care of Our People: DoD initiative to support service members and families with resilience and well-being programs. (https://www.war.gov/Spotlights/Taking-Care-of-Our-People/)
  11. Mount Carmel Veterans Center: (https://www.veteranscenter.org/)

CHILDCARE RESOURCES
  1. Child Care Aware of America: Provider directory + fee assistance **May be limited (https://www.childcareaware.org)
  2. MilitaryChildCare.com: DoD-approved childcare options. **May be limited (https://www.militarychildcare.com)
  3. Operation Child Care Project: Advocacy & support for military children. (https://operationchildcareproject.org)
  4. 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.
MENTAL HEALTH & CRISIS SUPPORT
  1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988, then press 1 for military option. (https://988lifeline.org)
  2. TalkSpace: Online therapy, accepts TRICARE. (https://www.talkspace.com)
  3. Telemynd: Online therapy, accepts TRICARE. (https://www.telemynd.com)
  4. Colorado Crisis Services: Hotline: (844) 493-8255 or Text 38255. (https://coloradocrisisservices.org)

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

TIPS & BEST PRACTICES
  1. Money Management
    1. Plan ahead – delay non-essential purchases
    2. Build a bare-bones budget
    3. Use emergency funds and credit cautiously
    4.  Continue TSP/retirement contributions cautiously
  2. Communication
    1. Contact banks, creditors, and landlords early to discuss potential payment delays
    2. Maintain communication with leadership
  3. Fraud Protection
    1. Avoid payday and predatory loans
    2. Guard your Social Security number and protect your personal information online
    3. Practice safe computing habits (use antivirus software, create strong passwords)
  4. Well-Being
    1. Utilize Military OneSource and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health support
    2. Leverage family and community support networks

 

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