Limited Government Shutdown

The U.S. Federal Government entered a limited shutdown at 12:01 a.m. on February 14, 2026, after Congress did not pass funding for certain federal operations.

This shutdown impacts only employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Approximately 90% of DHS employees are classified as essential personnel. These employees are required to continue working during the shutdown; however, they will receive retroactive pay for the shutdown period once funding is reinstated.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Information for Federal Employees

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

• Claims may 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 up to 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 employee who has already filed a claim due to a furlough and later experience a change in employment status, continue to request weekly benefits as required. Any change in status will be reviewed when 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 time period 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 and uncertain time. Our team is here to provide guidance and support to federal employees impacted by the partial shutdown.

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

The Georgia Department of Labor is closely monitoring the situation and will provide additional information as it becomes available.