Federal Government Shutdown FAQs
Each year, the US Congress sets aside money for federal agencies to use in the next fiscal year. When there isn’t a current federal budget, federal agencies must stop spending money until a new budget is passed. This is called a federal government shutdown.
The following questions are for federal employees who want to learn more about unemployment benefits.
If you are a federal employee who is out of work through no fault of your own and meet other eligibility requirements, you may qualify for unemployment benefits. All claims will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We will review earnings and separation information after your claim has been filed.
Federal employees in California can apply for unemployment benefits through UI Online, by telephone, or by fax or mail. If you don’t have a UI Online account, you can create one through our myEDD portal. Visit Filing an Unemployment Claim for more information.
Employees who have been given an SF 8 or SF 50 by their federal employer should have that form available when they file a claim.
Federal employees who have an existing unemployment claim are encouraged to reopen their claim through UI Online.
If you are a federal employee who is out of work through no fault of your own, you may apply for benefits as soon as you are no longer working. We will review claims on a case-by-case basis to see if you are eligible for benefits.
Weekly benefit amounts range from $40 to $450, depending on your income. Benefits are available for up to 26 weeks. All claims have a one-week unpaid waiting period, which means eligible federal government workers would not receive unemployment benefits for the first week of their unemployment claim. View How Unemployment Insurance Benefits Are Computed (DE 8714AB) (PDF) for more information.
After submitting an application for unemployment benefits, you must give us your eligibility information every two weeks. This process is called certifying for benefits. To certify for benefits, use one of the following methods:
- UI Online: fastest option and recommended.
- Tele-Cert: Call 1-866-333-4606.
- Mail the paper Continued Claim Form (DE 4581) that we send you.
Most benefit payments are sent 14 to 21 days after your claim is filed.
If you are paid unemployment benefits, and later receive a retroactive payment from your employer for the same time period, you will be required to repay those unemployment benefits. We will mail a notice of overpayment to you.
You may repay all of the benefits by credit or debit card, by phone, online, or by mail, or you can set up a repayment plan. Visit myEDD for easy access to benefit overpayment services.
Once you return to work full time, you should stop certifying for benefits. This will cause your unemployment claim to become inactive. If you are partially unemployed, you may continue to receive some unemployment benefits. You must:
- Submit your continued claim certifications.
- Report your work hours and gross wages (your wages before taxes) for each week you work.
Resources
For more information, review the following resources:
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management Furlough Guidance: Resources for federal agencies and employees if a furlough occurs.
- FAQs – Unemployment Insurance: Frequently asked questions about the Unemployment Insurance program.
- FAQs – Eligibility Requirements: Frequently asked questions about eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits.
- Unemployment Insurance – After You Apply: Provides information about what to do after you file a claim for unemployment benefits.
- Contact Information for Unemployment Insurance: If you need help, contact us online, by phone, or by mail.