Federal Employees- Unemployment?
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Anonymous
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DH and I are both highly paid federal employees who will likely not be declared "essential" in the looming shutdown. We have enough saved that we'd met all our expenses comfortably in the first couple months without income, but obviously, we'd rather not take the hit. We live and work in DC.
Could we be eligible for unemployment? Any tips for applying and securing unemployment eligibility? I'd be happy to put in a few job applications, if that's all it takes. I'll have the time. |
Anonymous
| Don't worry...IF it happens, it certainly won't last months - a day (or a few) is more likely. |
Anonymous
| If you are highly paid, save more. Unemployment helps but it is not a lot of money. You have to be unemployed for more than a few weeks to collect. |
Anonymous
| OP where do you live? If there's a shutdown, DC will shutdown too and therefore can't even process your unemployment. In VA you have to be unemployed for 2 weeks I think to get it. |
Anonymous
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If you get unemployment and we get backpay, you will have to reimburse your state for anything you received.
It seems like way too much hassle for a few hundred dollars. |
Anonymous
| What about those of us stationed overseas? |
Anonymous
| Furlough is not unemployment. So, no, you wouldn't be eligible. |
Anonymous
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OPM disagrees:
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/guidance-for-shutdown-furloughs.pdf Are employees entitled to unemployment compensation while on furlough? A. It is possible that furloughed employees may become eligible for unemployment compensation. State unemployment compensation requirements differ. Some States require a 1-week waiting period before an individual qualifies for payments. In general, the law of the State in which an employee’s last official duty station in Federal civilian service was located will be the State law that determines eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. |
Anonymous
| Yes, but what do I do if my duty station is outside the U.S? |
Anonymous
| PP, you really need to talk to HR in your agency/department. They will have prepared all of this information, for what to do in a shutdown. |
Anonymous
| Do you pay unemployment taxes? If not then no. |
Anonymous
| How would I know if I pay in employment taxes? |
Anonymous
No, this is incorrect. because only the employer pays unemployment taxes, not employees. |
Anonymous
| The unemployment office will need to verify your status with your supervisor, who will not be working either. |
Anonymous
No one is getting backpay in the event of a shutdown unless they are actually declared essential and have to keep working. |