10/05/2025
Furloughed federal workers can apply for unemployment!
Issues, Unemployment
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The federal government shutdown has put hundreds of thousands of federal workers on furlough, and the Trump administration is threatening layoffs during the shutdown. But furloughed workers can apply for unemployment benefits.
If you are a federal work on furlough, you can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) through Pennsylvania’s unemployment office as soon as you stop working. Here’s how to apply:
1. Gather the following documents to submit:
Paystubs dating back to April 2024
Standard Form-8 (SF-8) OR Standard Form-50 (SF-50). (If you are a federal contractor, provide your W2 and a recent paystub instead)
If you did not receive the SF-8 or SF-50 because of the shutdown, the state is encouraging workers to submit earnings and leave statement(s), W-2 forms, and/or other types of documentation that can establish that the they are a current Federal employee and have worked and earned sufficient “base period wages” to qualify for UCFE.
If you don’t have all your documents, you can still start your application and submit them afterward.
2. Contact the unemployment office to apply:
https://benefits.uc.pa.gov/vosnet/default.aspx?link_id=0&can_id=775ba06f448f07b64b5c30e6a6918a54&source=email-furloughed-federal-workers-can-apply-for-unemployment&email_referrer=&email_subject=furloughed-federal-workers-can-apply-for-unemployment&&
OR
Apply over the phone: 1-888-313-7284
3. After you submit your initial application, (E) uchelp@pa.gov with:
(a) FULL NAME
(b) The last 4 digits of your Social Security number
(c) An explanation that you are a federal employee who just submitted an initial UC application and wage documents.
4. Begin filing weekly certifications for benefits, even before they tell you if you qualify. DO NOT WAIT to receive a determination, or you could miss out on weeks of benefits. Once they make a determination that you qualify, you should receive everything you’ve already certified for.
5. Keep a close eye on notifications from the unemployment office (either mail or email, and in your online account if you applied through the website).
6. Call PUP at 215-557-0822 or (e) AGoldman@philaup.org if you have any questions, issues with your application, or if you are denied benefits.
If your claim is delayed, request a wage affidavit. Your former employer (federal agency) must verify your employment and the reason for separation (furlough). If they don’t respond within twelve days, the state can have you fill out an ES-935, a Claimant’s Affidavit of Federal Civilian Service, Wages and Reason for Separation, to move your claim along. If your claim is delayed, call the unemployment office and request they process your claim with an affidavit.
Important: If you are furloughed and collect unemployment, then later receive backpay, the unemployment office will most likely issue a “non-fault overpayment”. If this happens, they will ask you to pay them back, but you are not required to send them money. If you file another claim and collect benefits in the next 3 years, they will deduct the overpayment from your benefits. After 3 years, the overpayment is no longer collectible. They should not pursue you for repayment of a non-fault overpayment beyond sending you notices about it.
