Unemployment Benefits for Federal Workers

Federal workers who were laid off, are out of work through no fault of their own, or are affected by a government shutdown may apply for unemployment benefits. Benefits are available for workers who meet all eligibility requirements. 

Important Note for Furloughed Workers:  When the federal government reopens and you return to work, you should receive back pay for the period of the shutdown. You will be required to repay unemployment benefits you received for the same time. 

Not sure if you’ll qualify for benefits? We encourage you to apply. Visit our Unemployment Benefits page to get started.

Before You Apply

Make sure you have the following forms before applying for benefits. You'll receive these forms from your employer.

On the Standard Form 8 (SF8) (PDF), Notice to Federal Employee about Unemployment Insurance, you can find:

• The name of the federal civilian employer or agency.
• The 3-digit federal agency code for your employer.

On the Standard Form 50 (SF50) (PDF), Notice of Personnel Action, you can find:

• Your position title (box 7).
• The state or country of your last official duty station (box 39).
• The name of the federal civilian employer or agency (box 46).
• The 3-digit federal agency code for your employer (box 47).

Note: If you worked for a private-sector employer that contracted with the federal government, you will not need Standard Forms 8 or 50 when applying.

Federal Government Shutdowns

Federal workers affected by a government shutdown may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Excepted employees who are still working but not being paid are not considered unemployed and do not qualify for unemployment benefits.

If you receive benefits and later get back pay from your employer for the same time period, you will be required to repay those benefits. We will mail you a notice of overpayment with repayment details. You can choose to pay the full amount or set up a repayment plan. Log in to myEDD for easy repayment options.

If you return to work full-time, simply stop certifying for benefits, and your claim will automatically become inactive.

If you return to work part-time, you may still qualify for partial unemployment benefits. To continue, you must:

• Keep certifying every two weeks.
• Report your work hours and gross wages, your wages before taxes, each week.

Visit US Office of Personnel Management Furlough Guidance for federal agency and employee resources.

How to Apply

• Online: The fastest and easiest way to apply for benefits is through myEDD. 
• Phone: Call us toll-free on our dedicated line for federal workers: 1-855-327-7055, between 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
• Mail: Fill out and mail a paper Unemployment Insurance Application for Federal Employees (DE 1101IBD) to the address on the form and allow extra time for processing. 
• Fax: Fax your paper application to the number listed on the form.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for benefits if you were a federal employee in the past 18 months, and:

• You are out of work through no fault of your own.
• Your official duty station of your last federal employer was in California, or
• You are a current California resident and you:
• Are a US citizen and your official duty station was outside the US, or
• Have worked in California after your last federal employer.

Watch Webinar: Federal Worker Support in California

We know losing a job can be stressful, especially during uncertain times. In this webinar with the California Labor Federation, we share how unemployment benefits and local America's Job Centers of California can support you. If you’ve been recently laid off from a federal job, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence and care.

Federal Deferred Resignation Offer

Federal employees were recently given the option to resign with pay until September 30, 2025. If you accepted this offer, you are still employed until the end of this period. After, you may be able to apply for benefits. Because you accepted the deferred resignation, you quit. To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you’ll need to show that you had good cause for leaving and that you made all reasonable attempts to keep your job. This includes requesting a leave of absence or transfer. If you apply for benefits, we will interview both you and your employer to determine your eligibility.

Administrative Leave

While on administrative leave, you are still considered employed. If you are getting paid or if you will get back pay for your leave, you may not be eligible for benefits. If you later lose your job due to no fault of your own, you may be eligible.

Federal Return-to-Office Requirement

If you lost your job because you would not or could not meet the return to office requirement, you may be eligible for benefits. To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you’ll need to show that you had good cause for leaving and that you made all reasonable attempts to keep your job. This includes requesting a leave of absence or transfer. If you apply for benefits, we will interview both you and your employer to determine your eligibility.

Private-Sector Employers Contracted with the Federal Government

If you worked for a private sector employer that contracted with the federal government and lost your job through no fault of your own, you may be eligible for benefits.