Attention Federal Employees who have or may become furloughed
Federal workers furloughed due to the partial government shutdown may apply for unemployment benefits to help them meet their financial obligations while they wait to return to their jobs.
If you have been furloughed as a direct result of the federal shutdown, you may be eligible for regular unemployment benefits. Below are some questions and answers that can assist you in what you need to do.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits Q&A
Question: I am a federal worker who has been furloughed. Am I eligible for unemployment?
Answer: You are potentially eligible. Your job separation is considered laid off due to lack of work. However, you also need to qualify monetarily and have no other disqualifying issues.
Before you apply, please consider the following:
-
- If you receive unemployment benefits for the time that you are furloughed, and the federal government pays you for the work you missed during the furlough (as it has historically), you will receive an overpayment notice. You will be required to repay any unemployment insurance benefits you collect during that time.
- Unemployment insurance overpayment collections are very aggressive. Your state and federal tax returns will be intercepted as payment if you fail to repay any benefits owed.
Question: What if I am one of the “essential” federal workers who is required to continue to work full time with no pay?
Answer: You would not be eligible for benefits if you are working full time, regardless of pay. Full time is normally defined as 40 hours per week.
If you decide to apply for unemployment insurance benefits, please read the following:
Q. How do I file for benefits?
Please visit our website at www.mdes.ms.gov. You will then select the Unemployment Claims option. Please note that Contact Center assistance is required to complete a claim involving federal employment. Please call 601-493-9427.
Q: I am a federal contractor that is affected by the federal shutdown. Should I file for unemployment benefits?
A. If you worked in Mississippi as an employee of a federal contractor and are filing for unemployment insurance as a result of a federal shutdown, you must file a “regular” unemployment insurance claim. DO NOT file a claim as a federal civilian employee. If your employer pays you back pay for the shutdown, you will be required to repay any unemployment benefits you received.
Q. When should I file for benefits?
A. If you decide to file a claim for benefits, you should file as soon as possible. Claims are typically effective the Sunday of the week in which you file an initial claim for unemployment.
Q. Once the shutdown is over; if the federal government pays me back-time for my time away from work, is this income reportable? If so, how should I report my income?
A. Yes. For unemployment insurance purposes, any back pay you receive from the federal government is reportable income for the weeks you are furloughed and will result in an overpayment of benefits. If you receive your back pay, call us at 601-493-9427 and let us know. If you received any unemployment benefits, you will be required to repay these benefits.
Q. What if I don’t have a computer or internet access?
A. We have computers available in our WIN Job Center local offices. For locations, see the map below.
You may also call our contact center at 601-493-9427.
Q. What information do I need to file?
A. You will need your work history information for the past two years, including employer names, addresses, phone numbers, supervisors, the reason for separation, dates of employment, your current contact information, your driver’s license or state ID number, and your work authorization information, if applicable.
Furloughed Federal employees should also provide copies of the Standard Form-8 (SF-8) or the Standard Form-50 (SF-50) when filing. Once you gather all the information, filing a claim should take about 30 minutes. Copies of your leave and earning statements are not necessary if you have your (SF-8 or SF-50).
Q. Do I have to look for work if I file for unemployment benefits?
A. No. You do not have to look for work long as you are on furlough. If you become separated and no longer employed with the federal employer, you will be required to look and apply for full-time employment.
Q. When I file my claim, what option should I choose as my reason for separation from the federal government?
A. If you are unemployed due to the current federal government shutdown, please select “laid off due to lack of work” for your separation reason.
Q. What if I have an “approximate date to start full-time work?”
A. When you file your application, you will be asked if you have a definite date to return to full-time work. If your employer has provided you with this date: Select Yes and enter the date. If not, answer No to this question.
Q. I received a letter titled “monetary determination.” It shows my weekly eligibility amount is $ .00 and my maximum benefit amount is $ .00. Does this mean I will not receive any unemployment while I am furloughed?
A. You will be asked to submit an affidavit of federal wages to the Customer Service Representative when filing and requested to provide earnings documentation. Your claim will be established based on the affidavit and associated proof of earnings if the employer verification is not received timely.
Q. When will federal employees receive their first payment?
A. Normally, a payment is issued about three weeks after submitting an initial application. If you applied for benefits during the week of October 7th, it would be your 1st week of unemployment and potentially serve as your waiting period week (see waiting for week criteria above). The next week would be your 2nd week of unemployment and the first potential payable week. If you are otherwise eligible, you should receive payment during the 3rd week of unemployment which is for the previous week (2nd).
Q. Are unemployment insurance benefits taxable?
A. Yes. Unemployment benefits are treated as taxable income. After you file your claim, you will have the option to have 10% federal taxes withheld and/or 5% state taxes withheld from your payment. Log into the claimant portal at www.mdes.ms.gov and select ‘Manage Claims’ to have federal taxes and state taxes withheld from your payment. If you have to repay benefits, you will have to repay the gross amount, however, as we are unable to recoup the 10% and 5% for you. You will receive a 1099G at the end of the year with your tax information.
Q. I am about to be furloughed. The employer has given me the option of using my accrued vacation pay while we are shut down. Can I still collect unemployment if I don’t use my vacation pay?
A. Yes. For unemployment insurance purposes, you are not required to use vacation pay.
Q. If I choose to use vacation pay, can I collect unemployment insurance?
A. Yes. Vacation and holiday pay are not deducted from unemployment insurance benefits to which an individual is otherwise entitled.
Q. How do I cancel my claim once I return to work?
A. When you return to work, simply stop filing your weekly reports. Once you haven’t filed for two consecutive weeks, your claim will go inactive. Even though you are no longer claiming, be sure to keep your contact information up to date to receive year-end tax information.
Return to Top
Share Page
