Furloughed Federal Employees in New Jersey Can Apply for Unemployment Benefits
The federal government shutdown is the longest in modern history. Many federal employees have been furloughed. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has made it clear that furloughed federal workers who are in New Jersey can apply for unemployment benefits. That is not the case in every U.S. state. Here, our New Jersey unemployment benefits attorney provides an overview of the key things federal workers who are in the state should know.
Unemployment Benefit Eligibility in New Jersey
Here is the key point to know: federal employees assigned to work in New Jersey who are furloughed without pay because of the government shutdown have the right to apply for unemployment insurance benefits. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development emphasizes that claims will be accepted for the duration of the shutdown. To qualify for benefits, any applicants must meet the standard New Jersey eligibility criteria, including:
- Unemployed through no fault of their own;
- A history of sufficient base-period earnings;
- The ability and availability to work.
How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits
To apply, federal workers must provide documentation verifying their employment and wages, including recent pay stubs or other federal wage records. An application can be submitted online or by phone through the New Jersey Department of Labor. Once a claim is approved, workers must file weekly certifications to continue receiving benefits.
Big Point: If an employee later receives retroactive pay from their federal agency for the furlough period, those unemployment benefits must be repaid. Of course, the expectation is that furloughed federal workers will eventually be paid.
How Much Can I Get in Benefits and How Long Do They Last?
Unemployment benefits for furloughed federal workers are governed by New Jersey law. The weekly benefit amount is based on prior wages up to the state’s maximum weekly rate. Benefits may continue for up to 26 weeks, depending on earnings history and ongoing eligibility.
What Unpaid Federal Employees Should Know Before Applying
Before applying, furloughed employees should gather all relevant employment documents and confirm their duty station in New Jersey. Filing as soon as the furlough begins helps avoid processing delays. A proactive approach can help workers secure the benefits that they need to support themselves and their family during the uncertainty created by the federal government shutdown.
Note: Federal employees who are classified as “excepted” and still reporting to work without pay are not considered unemployed and therefore are not eligible for benefits. In other words, federal employees who are assigned to work in New Jersey and who do have to come to work cannot apply for unemployment benefits even if they have not been paid during the government shutdown.
Contact Our New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Lawyer Today
At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, our New Jersey employment attorney handles a full range of unemployment cases. If you have any questions about an employment benefits case, we can help. Contact us right away for a fully confidential, no obligation case evaluation. With an office in Monmouth County, we handle unemployment claims and unemployment appeals throughout New Jersey.
