Am I eligible for unemployment insurance?
Most furloughed federal employees are eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance benefits. If you believe you may be eligible or aren’t sure, you should file a claim. Department of Labor representatives will determine if you are eligible. You should promptly file a claim in the first week you are not working.
Some situations are outlined below.
I am required to work full-time in my federal position but I am not getting paid. Am I still eligible?
No. A federal employee who is called back to work full-time is considered employed and not available for other employment, which makes them uneligible.
I am being called back to work but my hours were reduced. Am I still eligible?
If you are called back to work in your federal position for less than full time, eligility will depend upon how many hours you will be working. You are entitled to file a claim for benefits and your eligibility will be reviewed. Learn more about partial unemployment.
Please note: If you are wondering what state you should be filing in, generally you should file for unemployment insurance in the state in which your last duty station was. This can be found on your most recent “SF50” notice of personnel action, and is most likely the last physical location that you worked in.
How to apply for unemployment insurance
Online: The most secure way to apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits is online. As we do not have the federal wage information you will need to complete your claim by speaking with an agent. Visit https://unemployment.labor.ny.gov/en-US/login
Directions for creating an NY.gov ID are on the login page.
Phone: You can also apply for benefits by calling us at 1-888-209-8124. Translation services are available.
What info do I need to file a claim?
You will need to provide:
- your employer/agency name
- component name
- work location
- dates of employment
- proof of employment
- proof of earnings
- reason for not working
Proof of earnings: To verify your proof of earnings you will need to submit quarterly paystubs (these are the paystubs with the LAST PAY DATE in each quarter [March 2022, June 2022, September 2022, December 2022, March 2023, June 2023, September 2023]) and your most recent W’2 (s). This is the only way that we will be able to establish your Benefit Rate.
Reason for not working: Please be sure to use "Lack of Work" as the reason for the separation. A furlough of federal employees is not generall considered a "Lockout"
After filing: You will need to verify your identity through the ID.me process after completing your claim. Learn more about ID.me
When will my benefits begin?
The law requires all claimants to have an unpaid “waiting week.” Only after that time is a claimant eligible to collect benefits. You will need to submit weekly certifications for benefits in order to receive benefits.
Do I have to pay back any benefits I receive?
The “Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019” requires the payment of furloughed employees when the shutdown is ended. If you are paid retroactively, you will be required to repay the unemployment benefits you received.
If you are required to payback benfits, you will be issued a notice in the mail with instructions on the process. If you receive back payment from your federal employer prior to receiving instructions from the Department of Labor concerning your overpayment, please wait for those instructions.