Trump Announces One-Time $1,776 Payment for U.S. Military Service Members
Payments to be issued before Christmas as part of housing allowance supplement
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration will issue one-time $1,776 payments to eligible U.S. military service members, describing the initiative as a holiday-time bonus tied symbolically to the nation’s founding year, 1776.
In a nationally televised address, Trump said approximately 1.45 million service members would receive the payment before Christmas. He referred to the initiative as a “Warrior Dividend,” stating that the funds were already being distributed.
According to senior administration officials, the payments will be delivered as a one-time supplement to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rather than as a permanent increase in base pay. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the Pentagon to distribute approximately $2.6 billion for the program.
Eligibility includes active-duty personnel and certain reserve members in pay grades O-6 and below. The payments are expected to reach about 1.28 million Active Component service members and roughly 174,000 Reserve Component members who meet service and duty requirements. Veterans who are no longer serving are not eligible.
Administration officials said Congress appropriated roughly $2.9 billion earlier this year for military housing-related compensation as part of legislation passed over the summer. The administration is using those funds to support the one-time payment.
Trump attributed the availability of funds in part to increased tariff revenue and recent legislation, though he did not provide detailed funding breakdowns during his remarks. He said the payments were intended to recognize military service and help address housing and cost-of-living concerns.
The White House emphasized that the initiative is a one-time payment and does not change long-term military pay structures. Eligible service members are expected to receive the funds automatically through standard military pay systems.
Administration officials said the payments are currently being processed and are expected to arrive before the Christmas holiday.
