Due to the government shutdown, the National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) are closed until further notice. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled.
Email/Outlook “Out-of-Office” Message:
I will be out of the office starting [DATE OF NEXT WORKDAY], 2025. Due to the current federal funding hiatus, I will not be able to return emails or telephone calls until I return to duty upon conclusion of the funding hiatus.
Voicemail “Out-of-Office” Message:
You have reached [XXX] at the Office of the [XXX] for the Department of Homeland Security. I will be out of the office starting [DATE OF NEXT WORKDAY], 2025, due to the federal funding hiatus. I am not able to access or return voicemail messages during this time. Please leave a message and I will return your call upon my return to duty upon conclusion of the funding hiatus.
- Set your "out of office" and voicemail message using the attached template before departing for the day.
- Take home links, usernames and passwords to WebTA and MyEPP. NOTE: e-OPF is no longer accessible from home.
- Take home the building status hotline number in the event you do not receive an AWS message via text, call or e-mail.
- Take home all food, medicine, medical devices (hearing aids, prescription glasses, etc.), clothing, etc. that you may need in the event of a long term lapse in appropriations.
Link to OPM furlough guidance:
Furlough Guidance
Employee assistance and military work life services remain available to the workforce and their families 24/7/365. Visit .
Financial Resources During a Lapse in Appropriations
During the shutdown, many options for funding are available to you. Please check with your bank or credit union.
Here are some resources available:
- Navy Federal Credit Union: interest-free loan in the amount of direct deposit pay, up to $6,000, no credit check.
- PenFed: interest-free loan equal to the amount of your paycheck if your payroll is directly deposited into your PenFed checking account.
- USAA: interest-free loan in the amount of direct deposit pay, up to $6,000, must be repaid within three months
- First Command: interest-free payroll advances in the amount of direct deposit pay, must be repaid within three months.
Alternatively, CGMA will provide expedited loans up to one month’s BAH to eligible members affected by the shutdown.
Repayment is limited to 3 months after the member’s pay is reinstated.
Applications are now Open.
- Eligibility: Active-duty Coast Guard members and Coast Guard civilian employees.
- Required documentation: Valid ID card only.
- Loan amount: Up to one month’s BAH.
- Expectation: Clients repay the loan as soon as pay resumes (upon receipt of next paycheck).
- Grants: No loans will be converted to grants—no exceptions.
Full details and application link: Shutdown Loan - Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.
POC: kimber.e.heida@uscg.mil