California offers relief for federal workers hurt by shutdown

CALIFORNIA — Governor Gavin Newsom announced on October 11 that federal workers in California who are laid off, furloughed, or have reduced hours because of the government shutdown may qualify for unemployment benefits through the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD).

On Friday, the Trump administration issued notices for approximately 4,200 federal employees to be laid off across multiple agencies, as part of its escalation during the ongoing budget impasse.

Departments such as Homeland Security, Education, Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development were among those affected.

According to Newsom’s office, there are more than 248,000 federal workers in California.

Unemployment assistance for federal workers

EDD provides unemployment benefits to federal workers who lose their jobs, are furloughed, or have their hours reduced during a federal government shutdown.

To qualify, individuals must have worked for the federal government within the past 18 months and:

You are out of work through no fault of your own.
Your official duty station of your last federal employer was in California, or
You are a current California resident and you:
- Are a US citizen and your official duty station was outside the US, or
- Have worked in California after your last federal employer.

Benefit payments range from $40 to $450 per week depending on previous earnings and may last up to 26 weeks. There is a mandatory one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.

Federal employees who receive back pay for the same period covered by unemployment must repay those benefits.

Workers returning to full-time jobs will have their claims deactivated, while those returning part-time may still qualify if they report their hours and wages. “Excepted employees” — those still working but not currently being paid — generally do not qualify for unemployment benefits.

Eligible federal workers can apply for benefits through myEDD / UI Online or by submitting the DE 1101IBD application form by mail, fax, or phone.

For more information, visit https://edd.ca.gov/en/unemployment/unemployment-benefits-for-federal-workers/