Naomi Pyle is left wondering whether her husband’s upcoming paycheck from the U.S. Navy will actually land in their account this Wednesday.
Their family, which includes two young kids in San Diego, California, was already struggling to get by before the government shutdown hit on October 1. Pyle, 30, opened up to CBS News about her worries; without timely payments, covering basic expenses will be nearly impossible for them.
In an attempt to ease worries, President Trump announced last week via social media that his team had found “identified funds” to secure pay for military members. He instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ensure that paychecks are distributed on time by October 15. However, details were limited, and the White House Office of Management and Budget indicated to the Associated Press that they might need to tap into Pentagon research funds to keep the payments flowing beyond that date.
Despite these announcements, many military families are gripped by financial anxiety at the mere thought of missing even one paycheck.
“We were already living paycheck to paycheck, so this doesn’t help us at all,” said Pyle. “Now, we have to choose which bills we can actually pay.”
The family’s weekly income is about $1,200, struggle and with the costs of rent, utilities, her daughter’s braces, and therapy for their son with autism, balancing the budget poses a significant challenge. To make matters worse, even her own dental care has been put on hold.
“Surviving shouldn’t feel this hard,” Pyle reflected. “We make so many sacrifices, and managing life as special needs parents is tough. Adding this situation makes it even harder for us.”
In response to a request for commentary, the White House referred inquiries to the Office of Management and Budget, which did not get back to CBS News.
Stress Levels Running High
Before this shutdown, a staggering one in six active-duty military families were already facing issues with food insecurity, according to a survey conducted by Blue Star Families in 2023. The same group found that about a third of military households have less than $3,000 saved up—making them particularly susceptible to financial crises.
Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, pointed out that missing a paycheck can be incredibly harmful. “The financial strain is huge, but let’s not overlook the mental toll it takes—it’s often just as damaging,” she emphasized.
She explained that many military families rely on a single income stream due to frequent moves that hinder spouses from securing steady employment. “When payment delays occur, those families can quickly spiral downwards into serious trouble,” Roth-Douquet said.
Misty Gilbert, whose husband serves in the U.S. Coast Guard, pulls in a secondary income as a special education teacher, but her salary is not enough to sustain her family for long stretches without her husband’s paycheck. “Barely making enough just to cover the rent, things are really tight,” she admitted to CBS News.
The loom of the government shutdown has placed significant stress on her family as well. “Holidays are approaching, and we usually like to visit family. However, if this situation persists, I don’t know if we can justify such expenses,” she expressed worry about the financial implications of holiday travel.
