Federal Government Shutdown - Information for Federal Employees

The U.S. Federal Government officially shut down at 12:01 a.m. on October 1 after Congress did not pass a continuing resolution to fund operations. As a result, many federal employees in Georgia may be affected. Approximately 110,900 federal workers in the state could experience furloughs or delayed pay.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Information for Federal Employees

If you are a federal employee affected by furlough, you may be eligible to file for unemployment benefits:

• Claims can be filed online or at any Georgia Department of Labor Career Center.
• Furloughed employees are considered job-attached and are not required to search for work for six weeks.
• Employees who continue working must report gross earnings when requesting weekly payments, even if pay is delayed.

Change in Employment Status After Filing a Claim

If you are a federal worker and have already filed a claim due to being furloughed but you now have a change in employment status, continue to claim your weekly benefits as required. Your change in employment status will be considered in determining your eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits.

Additional Information

Under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (GEFTA), federal employees will receive back pay for furlough periods once funding is restored.

• Any unemployment benefits received for the same timeframe will be considered overpayments and must be repaid.
• Federal agencies may deduct unemployment benefits from back pay directly or reimburse the Georgia Department of Labor on your behalf.

We understand this can be a stressful time, and our team is here to provide guidance and support for federal employees navigating this situation.

For more information on unemployment insurance for federal employees, view Unemployment Claims for Federal Employees.