Resources for Federal Workers and Contractors
Unemployment insurance benefits
First Shift provides this resource as a service to its community and in solidarity with the many federal workers in the DMV who are currently struggling. Note that the following is general legal information, not individualized legal advice. For legal advice or representation, please consult a lawyer. First Shift does not advise clients regarding unemployment compensation; however, The Washington Lawyers Committee’s Workers Rights Clinic advises workers on a range of employment-related issues, including unemployment.
Unemployment insurance is intended as a temporary benefit to aid workers who are between jobs:
Workers have to be available for and actively seeking work as a condition of receiving benefits.
Any income earned while the worker is looking for full employment has to be reported. The income will result in a reduction of benefits.
Workers who fail to submit reports or aren't really looking for work may have to pay the benefits back.
Federal workers and contractors are eligible for unemployment benefits just like most private sector workers.
Self-employed contractors who haven't been paying into their state unemployment system are not eligible for benefits.
Unemployment insurance is available to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Whether it is called a furlough v layoff v firing, it ultimately doesn't matter, as long as the separation wasn't voluntary and the worker wasn't at fault (there is a narrow exception for a “quit for good cause”). In D.C., workers who apply will be contacted by a claims examiner and asked questions about the circumstances surrounding their separation from employment. The employer will be contacted as well. Workers who are terminated for unspecified “performance” issues are still eligible to receive benefits.
In the case of a temporary layoff, there is sometimes confusion over whether someone is officially "separated" from their employment. Workers who are temporarily laid off can explain this and get benefits, but if they return to work, they have to report it so the benefits will stop.
Workers who are still being paid while on administrative leave are not eligible for unemployment benefits.
Workers who are on unpaid leave, draw unemployment benefits, and then get paid back wages by the employer for the time off have to pay back the unemployment benefits.
Workers apply to the state system where they work/where the employer pays unemployment taxes. Each state has its own rules, but they are generally similar.
The maximum benefit is 50% of a worker’s average income for up to 26 weeks. It is paid out as a weekly benefit. For workers with dependents, the maximum benefit is a bit more.
Workers who are denied their unemployment benefits have the right to appeal the denial.
Apply for D.C. Unemployment Compensation Benefits
Apply for VA Unemployment Compensation Benefits
Apply for MD Unemployment Compensation Benefits
Other Resources for Federal Workers
https://www.civilservicestrong.org/resources
https://protectdemocracy.org/work/what-federal-workers-can-do-to-protect-themselves/
