Update from the Civilian Benefits Center (10/31/2025)

The Federal Benefits Open Season runs from from 10 November to 08 December 2025 for the the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB), Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), and the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS).

During the Open Season, eligible federal employees can:

  • Enroll in or change health insurance plans

  • Make changes to Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Plans (FEDVIP)

  • Choose a flexible spending account (FSA) for health or dependent care

 

2026 FEHB Premium Rate Charts

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has released the 2026 premiums for the FEHB and FEDVIP.  FEHB premiums will increase on average by 12.3% in 2026. 

Online Virtual Benefits Fair

The Virtual Benefits Fair provides an opportunity for you to find information you need regarding the Federal Employee’s Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP), the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS), and BENEFEDS. This Virtual Benefits Fair provides access to plan information, helpful coverage links, and in some cases, the opportunity to chat with a representative online.  The Civilian Benefits Center has established 4 live chat sessions between 13 November and 03 December.  Further information and the registration link are below.

 

Links:

Online Virtual Benefits Fair Registration [https://vshow.on24.com/vshow/FVBF25/registration/24363]

OPM Open Season Home [https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/open-season/]

2026 FEHB Rate Charts [https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/premiums]

Navy CBC Portal [https://civbenefits.dc3n.navy.mil/my.policy]

navybenefits@us.navy.mil [mailto:navybenefits@us.navy.mil]

 


Update from Ms. Ramos, Director of Civilian HR (2025/10/30)

Due to the extended lapse in appropriations, a second furlough notice is required for employees remaining in furlough status. Those on excepted status (working for delayed pay) are not required to complete this step. Please see the attached notice, which reaffirms your non-duty, non-pay status and restrictions on performing work while furloughed.

Furlough Letter (Continuation - Nov 2025)

Action Required

Furloughed employees must acknowledge receipt of this notice within 1 hour of receiving the link/QR code, or by 1900 PST today.

Acknowledgment form:  https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/Gp89C1h0uv

This requirement ensures compliance with OPM and DoW guidance. See the notice for details.

Supervisor Dissemination

SES/Competency Directors and Supervisors: Please assist with disseminating the link to the November Furlough Memo to furloughed employees. You will receive a message from DCHR shortly with additional instructions.

General Guidance

  • Employees are responsible for monitoring public broadcasts and official updates regarding the federal budget.
  • Upon approval of a continuing resolution or FY 2026 DoD appropriation, employees must report to work on their next regular duty day or as otherwise directed by their supervisor.
 

Update from Mr. Pope, Executive Director (24 Oct 2025)

 

NAVWAR,

As we reach the end of another week in this shutdown, we know that today's missed payday will carry extra weight.  For many of us, this marks the first missed paycheck, a difficult reminder of the impact this shutdown is having on you and your families.  We want you to know we see that impact, and we share in your frustration.  The uncertainty is hard, and we recognize how much it asks of you to wait, to wonder, and to carry on without a clear end in sight. 

To those who remain working to sustain critical operations, thank you for your continued dedication under challenging circumstances.  And to those waiting to return, please know that your contributions are missed, valued, and essential to who we are as a command.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another. Resources like the Civilian Employee Assistance Program and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, as well as other local/community support, remain available to help you and your families through this time. 

To stay informed: 

We’ll get through this together and we look forward to having our full team back together as soon as possible. 

v/r,

John 
 

Update (22 Oct 2025)


Team NAVWAR,

Attached is the memorandum titled "NAVWAR Civilian Workforce Impact Due to Lapse in Appropriations"

This memo addresses the impact of the October 1, 2025, partial government shutdown on NAVWAR’s civilian workforce, including furlough status, temporary suspension of pay, and employment verification guidance. It may be used as a supporting document for employees to  provide to financial institutions if they need to request payment delays or fee waivers due to non-payment during the period of the government shutdown.  

Update from Mr. Pope, Executive Director (09 Oct 2025)


Team NAVWAR,

As we continue to navigate the ongoing government furlough, I want to acknowledge the uncertainty and concern this situation creates for many across our workforce. We understand the challenges that come with experiencing a gap in pay, and we recognize the personal and professional impact this has on you and your families.

Your continued professionalism and dedication to the NAVWAR mission, even under these circumstances, do not go unnoticed. NAVWAR leadership remains committed to keeping you informed and sharing updates and resources as they become available. In the meantime, the below guidance, programs and organizations may provide you information or assistance to help you manage this period.

Thank you for your continued patience, professionalism, and resilience as we move through this period together. Your commitment to one another, to NAVWAR, and to the Navy we serve continues to make a lasting difference.

v/r, John

Update from CMC Hafer (06 Oct 2025)


Good Morning Team 1NAVWAR,

Sharing some information from the OPNAV CFS Team regarding support through the government shutdown. 
The Financial Survival pdf has some information specific to DC for food pantries.  For Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, you can search at https://foodbankonline.org/resources/find-a-food-pantry/  for locations nearest you.  For the broader USA, use https://www.feedingamerica.org to find a bank or pantry near you.  We are working on getting resources for the West Coast -- more to follow on that.  

1. What to Expect

  • The October 1 paycheck will be received as normal since it falls before the fiscal year ends.
  • The first paycheck at risk for military members will be October 15.
  • The first paycheck at risk for civilian members will be October 10.

2. Prioritize Essentials

  • Cover housing, food, utilities, transportation, and insurance first.
  • Create a temporary “survival budget” by cutting non-essentials such as subscriptions, dining out, and extra purchases.
  • Keep some cash on hand in case of bank processing delays.

3. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) — Still Open and Helping

  • NMCRS offices remain open during the shutdown to provide interest-free loans and grants for food, gas, rent, utilities, emergency travel, and car repair.
  • Even if someone already has an NMCRS loan, they may still request additional assistance.
  • Support is normally provided as an interest-free loan, to be repaid once normal pay resumes.
  • Service Members who will be away (e.g., deployment) can complete a Pre-Authorization form for their spouse.
  • After-hours emergencies are supported through the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337.
  • NMCRS provided a Quick Reference Guide:     Field Office Q&A.pdf

If you need help, call NMCRS. They exist to back you in times like this.

4. Credit Union & Bank Assistance

Many financial institutions are offering 0% interest, no fee “paycheck protection” loans:

  • Navy Federal Credit Union – Shutdown Assistance Program.
  • USAA – Loans available up to $6,000 (one net paycheck).
  • PenFed – Paycheck protection loans and relief options.
  • Marine Federal Credit Union – Special shutdown loan programs.
  • Langley Federal Credit Union -Offers skip-a-payment relief on loans, and 12-mo loans for members
  • NMCRS provided a QR-Code roundup:  Financial Resources.jpg

Register early with your financial institution, and visit your bank’s website or customer service number to find out options that may be right for you.  The attached jpeg has QR codes with programs to help members at frequently used financial institutions.

5. Other Military & Community Resources

  • Other Relief Societies: Army Emergency Relief, Air Force Aid Society, and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance offer similar support.
  • Food assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, and local food banks remain available.
  • TRICARE and VA services: emergency and inpatient care will continue, though some outpatient and non-essential services may be delayed.
  • Fleet & Family Support Centers and Military OneSource provide free financial counseling and family support.      General Overview:  [Link – Financial Survivial.pdf]

6. General Talking Points

  • Delay non-essential spending from the October 1 paycheck.
  • Register early for paycheck protection at your financial institution.
  • Contact creditors and landlords early — explain that pay will be restored and bills will be repaid.
  • Strongly discourage use of predatory loans such as payday or “buy now, pay later.”
  • Remind everyone that NMCRS is available if paycheck protection is not an option.

Food Bank Locations in Hampton Roads:

As always, we are standing by to support and answer questions.  

 

Very Respectfully,

CMC Hafer


General Information


A shutdown furlough (also called an emergency furlough) occurs when there is a lapse in appropriations, and may occur at the beginning of a fiscal year, if no funds have been appropriated for that year, or upon expiration of a continuing resolution, if a new continuing resolution or appropriations law is not
passed. In a shutdown furlough, we would have to shut down any activities funded by annual appropriations that are not excepted by law. Typically, we will have very little to no lead time to plan and implement a shutdown furlough.

Employees may be "exempt" from the shutdown furlough because they are not paid from annually appropriated funds [for example, Working Capital Funds for NIWC employees]. 

Employees may be "excepted" from a shutdown furlough by law because they are (1) performing or supporting the performance of emergency work involving the safety of human life or the protection of property, (2) involved in the orderly suspension of agency operations, or (3) performing other functions exempted from the furlough.  An "excepted" employee may be required to work in a non-pay status during the furlough period, but will be paid when Congress passes, and the President signs, a new appropriation or continuing resolution.

Advance notification of a shutdown furlough is not required.  Employees affected by the shutdown furlough must report to work (in person or virtually) on their first regularly scheduled day after the date that funding expires to conduct an orderly shutdown and receive communication on the furlough. 
Service Members are not subject to a shutdown furlough.  Managers should consult with the supporting Contracting Officer's Representative with regards to the impact of shutdown furlough on Contractors.

DoN Furlough FAQs (August 2024) 

For questions related to the furlough, please contact: NAVWAR_FURLOUGH_QUESTIONS@us.navy.mil

DONCEAP
As always, the Dept of the Navy Civilian Employee Assistance Program (DONCEAP) is available to employees and their families, with confidential and no-cost resources.  For more information, employees and family members may contact the DONCEAP hotline at 1-844-DON-CEAP (1-844-366-2327), or use the web portal at https://member.magellanhealthcare.com/.

Employees Subject to Furlough
In the absence of either a current Fiscal Year (FY) appropriation, or a continuing resolution for the Department of Defense (DoD), no further obligations may be incurred by the DoD, except those related to “excepted” functions as authorized by the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Such excepted situations include:
     • Statutes that expressly authorize incurring obligations in advance of appropriations;
     • Emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property;
     • Functions necessary to discharge the President’s constitutional duties; and
     • Activities necessary for the orderly shutdown of activities that do not fall within one of the above categories.

Because some services are not necessary for orderly suspension of operations and because employees subject to furlough are not engaged in one of the other excepted functions, they may be placed in a furlough status as directed by their supervisor. The duration of a furlough is not known at the time of an orderly shutdown. While the supervisor is expected to contact their team once appropriations have been set, it is the responsibility of each furloughed employee to keep abreast of the latest news regarding the budgetary status of the United States Government. When they hear that a continuing resolution or a new appropriation for the DoD has been approved, they are then expected to report to work on their next regular duty day or as otherwise directed by their supervisor.

A Shutdown Furlough is taken because of a sudden emergency requiring immediate curtailment of DoD activities; therefore, no advance notification will be possible. The customary 30-day advance notice period and opportunity to answer would be suspended under the provisions of section 752.404(d)(2) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), for non-Senior Executive Service (SES) employees and under section 359.806(a) for SES career appointees.  Any employees retained in their competitive level or competitive area is because they are performing one of the excepted functions as authorized by the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
Subject to mission requirements, a position may be redesignated as Excepted to Furlough – if so, a furloughed employee will be recalled and required to report for duty for delayed pay.  If an employee does not report to work as required, they may be charged Absent without Leave (AWOL), which may result in formal discipline, up to and including removal from Federal Service.

Pay and Benefits
During the furlough period, furloughed employees will be in a non-pay/non-duty status, and may not work at their workplace or other alternative worksite unless and until recalled. During the furlough, furloughed employees will not be permitted to serve as an unpaid volunteer with the Federal government. Any paid leave (annual, sick, etc.) previously approved for use during the furlough period is cancelled.
The employee’s FEHB coverage will continue even if no premium payments are being made.  Employees experiencing a qualifying life event may contact the benefits center (888-320-2917, or navybenefits@us.navy.mil) to enact necessary changes.
Unless pay is otherwise authorized by Congress, after the lapse in appropriations has ended, furloughed employees will receive retroactive pay at the employee’s standard rate of pay under 31 U.S.C. § 1341(c).

Unemployment Compensation
Employees may file a claim for unemployment through their state's unemployment office.  employees should bring a copy of the furlough letter and an SF 8, to file along with their claim.  Employees are cautioned that they may be required to repay any unemployment insurance payments once an appropriations bill is enacted and they receive pay for the period of the furlough. The state unemployment office may provide clarification.  Additional information about unemployment insurance is available at the DCPAS Unemployment or the Career One Stop page.

Furlough Letter

SF 8

DCPAS Unemployment Page: https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/policy/benefits/unemploymentcompensation
Career OneStop Web Reference: https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/unemployment-benefits.aspx

Furlough Appeal Rights
The following employees may appeal a furlough action to the Merit Systems Protection The process to exercise your appeal and complaint rights are set forth below. Carefully read the explanations for how to exercise your options and the effects of an election as you may elect only one avenue for redress.
 
MSPB Appeal: The following employees may appeal this action to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB):
 
     • Employees may appeal to the MSPB if they have: 
  1. Completed a probationary or trial period, or 
  2. 1 year of current continuous employment in the competitive service under other than a temporary appointment
     • Employees in the excepted service, unless encumbering the same position as held at the time the position was converted from the competitive service, who have veterans’ preference may appeal to the MSPB if they have completed 1 year of current continuous service in the same or similar position as the one they now occupy.
     • Unless encumbering the same position as held at the time the position was converted from the competitive service, employees in the excepted service who do not have veterans’ preference and who are not serving a probationary or trial period under an initial appointment pending conversion to the competitive service may appeal to the MSPB if they have completed 2 years of current continuous service in the same or similar positions in an Executive agency under other than a temporary appointment limited to 2 years or less.
     • Career SES appointees (except reemployed annuitants) who believe the requirements of part 359, subpart H, of title 5, C.F.R., or the agency’s procedures have not been correctly applied may also appeal to the MSPB. Career SES appointees may inspect the regulations and records pertinent to this action.  To coordinate an inspection, please contact NAVWAR_Furlough_Questions@us.navy.mil.
Employees in the excepted service on Schedule C appointments do not have appeal rights to the MSPB; nor do non-career, limited-term, and limited emergency employees in the SES.
If you have the right of appeal to the MSPB and wish to appeal this action to the MSPB, you must file an appeal within 30 calendar days after the effective date of your furlough, or 30 days after the date of your receipt of this decision notice, whichever is later. If your appeal is not submitted within the time set by statute, regulation, or order of a judge, it will be dismissed as untimely filed unless a good reason for the delay is shown. The judge will provide you an opportunity to show why the appeal should not be dismissed as untimely. You may obtain a copy of the appeals form and information about the appeals process from the MSPB website at:
http://www.mspb.gov/appeals/appeals.htm or contact your servicing Employee Relations Specialist at NAVWAR_Furlough_Questions@us.navy.mil.
 
Your appeal must be filed with the MSPB regional or field office serving the area of your duty station when the action was taken. Based upon your duty station, the appropriate regional or field office is may be found at: https://www.mspb.gov/about/contact.htm. The MSPB strongly encourages the use of electronic filing at: https://e-appeal.mspb.gov. You may wish to check the MSPB’s website for its operating status during this time. Employees with appeal rights to the MSPB have a right to representation in this matter and may be represented by an attorney or other person of their choosing at no expense to the Government.
 
The MSPB will send an Acknowledgment Order and copy of your appeal to NAVWAR:
Office of General Counsel (3.0)
2301 Pacific Hwy
San Diego, CA  92103
 
Whistleblower Reprisal Complaint through the MSPB or the Office of Special Counsel (OSC): If you believe this action was taken as reprisal for whistleblowing, you may elect to file a complaint with the MSPB: https://e-appeal.mspb.gov/, or file a complaint with the OSC: https://osc.gov/, which can be followed by an Individual Right of Action appeal filed with the MSPB. Your election to proceed under one process will be considered made when, in a timely manner you: file a complaint with the MSPB; file a complaint with OSC; or file a grievance in writing, whichever event occurs first.
 
Discrimination Complaint: You have the right to file a complaint with your Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office if you believe that this furlough was affected in a discriminatory manner. To do so, you must contact an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counselor within 45 calendar days of receipt of this notice. Information regarding the federal sector EEO process is available on the EEO Commission website at: http://eeoc.gov/federal/fed_employees/complaint_overview.cfm. You may contact your servicing EEO Office at: navwar_eeo.fct@us.navy.mil.  Use of the pre-complaint process described in 5 C.F.R. § 1614.105 does not constitute an election, but the filing of a complaint does.