Summary

King County is stepping forward to help local service members in the U.S. Coast Guard and their families as they continue to provide critical support to the region and the nation without receiving paychecks. Financial aid for housing and other essentials is now available, and impacted retired veterans and local veterans who are furloughed federal employees are also encouraged to apply for assistance.

Story

Active duty Coast Guard personnel are working every day, despite receiving no paychecks to support themselves or their families since the federal government shutdown began in late December. The King County Veterans Program will offer immediate cash grants to Coast Guard service members and their families to ensure housing and food stability during the furlough.

Veterans who are Federal employees on unpaid furlough and veterans who are retired and have no income because retirement/benefits are not being processed are also eligible for assistance.

“Hundreds of King County men and women serve in the Coast Guard and work every day to ensure the safety and security of our Pacific Northwest coastlines. For the second time in a month, they are missing a paycheck. That is completely unacceptable,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “King County is committed to helping our active duty personnel and our local veterans, even as we recognize that there are many others suffering from this dangerous and prolonged shutdown. Our community must continue to do all that we can to help service members and other neighbors in need.”

In collaboration with the Coast Guard, staff of the King County Veterans Program will provide immediate assistance with financial aid, housing eviction prevention and other services and supports at the Coast Guard base in Seattle, and at the Veterans Program locations in downtown Seattle and Tukwila.

Coast Guard personnel seeking more information should contact Commander Brian J. Henry at 206-220-7236 (Brian.J.Henry@uscg.mil)

Approximately 300 Coast Guard personnel live in King County, and others live in nearby Pierce and Snohomish counties.

The Coast Guard manages six major operational mission programs: maritime law enforcement, maritime response, maritime prevention, maritime security operations, marine transportation system management and defense operations.

Other branches of the Armed Forces – Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines – are paid through the Department of Defense budget. The Coast Guard, however, is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and although personnel are required to report for duty, they are not receiving paychecks.

The King County Veterans Program (KCVP) provides a wide array of programs and services to help local area veterans, military personnel and their families, including emergency financial assistance, housing assistance, employment services, case management, mental health and trauma counseling and services and other supports.

Funding for the KCVP comes from dedicated property tax revenues and the voter-approved Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.

Relevant links

• King County Veterans Program
• King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

Quotes

Hundreds of King County men and women serve in the Coast Guard and work every day to ensure the safety and security of our Pacific Northwest coastlines. For the second time in a month, they are missing a paycheck. That is completely unacceptable. King County is committed to helping our active duty personnel and our local veterans, even as we recognize that there are many others suffering from this dangerous and prolonged shutdown. Our community must continue to do all that we can to help service members and other neighbors in need.

For more information, contact:

Alex Fryer, Executive Office, 206-477-7966