Anonymous wrote:Ah typical feds.... sucking taxpayer money at every chance even when its not legal to file for unemployment

It's fine to be mean, but mean and dumb is an unfortunate combination . As PP pointed out, it is legal to collect benefits. Also, we pay into the system with our payroll taxes. Why shouldn't we be allowed to collect under the same terms as someone on the private sector?

Anonymous wrote:Don't you have to prove that you're looking for another job? I'm not applying for unemployment, mainly because I'm not searching for another job.

It depends. In some places, you are considered to be actively seeking work because you are available to your current employer--the equivalent of a private sector lock-out.

For furloughed govies (depending on agency) you can be eligible for unemployment. Some states have guidance for contractors affected as well. In MD furloughed govies are exempt from work search, but must be able and available for work (per the application).

For those that think it is a free lunch - most of these people are salary and will have significant work to catch up on and adjust/reschedule due to the shutdown. They don't run cash registers, the work doesn't just go away.

The ignorance of some is only matched by their narcissism and spite.

I'm applying for unemployment and looking for another job. Congress can suck it.

Anonymous wrote:Ah typical feds.... sucking taxpayer money at every chance even when its not legal to file for unemployment

Typical private sector asshole... acting like they know everything when they have no idea what they're talking about and not caring about anyone but themselves.

Why don't you take a look at the OPM guidance on page 14? http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/guidance-for-shutdown-furloughs.pdf I'll copy and paste it for you, since you probably don't know how to look things up.

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.
(See the Department of Labor website “Unemployment Compensation for Federal
Employees” at http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/unemcomp.asp.) Agencies or
employees should submit questions to the appropriate State (or District of Columbia) office.
The Department of Labor’s website provides links to individual State offices at
http://www.servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp.

And on the DC Unemployment website: https://does.dcnetworks.org/claimantservices/Logon.aspx Again, I'll just go ahead and copy it for you here:

During the government shutdown all new initial claims for unemployment benefits
(this includes furloughed Federal and District non-essential government employees) MUST be filed ONLINE.

Go jump in a lake.

Don't you have to prove that you're looking for another job? I'm not applying for unemployment, mainly because I'm not searching for another job.

Yes, and it's not illegal to file for unemployment. OPM guide says you can file and whether you get money is up to individual state.

Ah typical feds.... sucking taxpayer money at every chance even when its not legal to file for unemployment

There's a big thread about this in the jobs forum with lots of info.

What's the story - my husband was also told he couldn't apply. How can it be different by agency???

Yes. Applied today in MD. Don't know how long I will be without a paycheck, and will be glad to pay it back if we receive back pay.

My husband was told he couldn't apply by his organization.

No.

How does that work? Don't you have to be looking for a new job?

I think the shutdown is going to last a few weeks. I was given an SF-8 to file for unemployment, and it seems pretty easy to apply for unemployment online in DC. My husband is making a big deal out of it and saying I'm wasting my time, we don't need the money (we do), and I will just have to pay it back if we get backpay.

Are you applying for unemployment? Why or why not?