Military aid societies report unprecedented surge in emergency loan applications as shutdown enters second week

Army Emergency Relief, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, and Air Force Aid Society reported demand for emergency financial assistance at levels they described as unprecedented as the government shutdown entered its second week without military pay. USAA provided $150 million in zero-interest loans to approximately 45,000 members within 48 hours. Army Emergency Relief saw approximately 15,000 new account applications in days. The surge exposed how thin the financial margins were for many military families despite the armed forces' reputation as a stable-pay profession.