Furloughed federal employees in New Jersey eligible for unemployment benefits during shutdown
TRENTON, N.J. — Federal employees assigned to work in New Jersey who have been furloughed during the ongoing federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 are eligible to apply for unemployment insurance benefits, state officials announced Tuesday.
Benefits will be paid to eligible federal workers for the duration of the shutdown, regardless of when claims are filed, according to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL).
“Our department is ready to support furloughed federal workers across New Jersey throughout this shutdown. We are committed to ensuring that impacted employees receive the assistance they need in a timely manner,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.
Furloughed federal workers must apply for unemployment benefits in the state where they are assigned to work. Applicants are required to provide proof of wages, such as pay stubs or federal pay statements.
For 2025, New Jersey’s maximum weekly unemployment benefit is $875. Regular benefits may be paid for up to 26 weeks.
A 2019 law (Public Law 116-1) requires that furloughed federal or D.C. employees, as well as those required to work without pay during a government shutdown, be paid retroactively once the shutdown ends. However, funding must still be approved by Congress.
Workers who receive unemployment benefits but later obtain back pay from their federal employer will be required to repay any overpaid benefits to the state. Federal employees who opted into the Deferred Resignation Program and received a buyout through Sept. 30, 2025, are not considered part of the current shutdown and are treated as voluntary separations for unemployment purposes.
NJDOL also noted that “excepted” federal employees — those required to work without pay during the shutdown — are not eligible for unemployment insurance because federal law prohibits benefits for employees still performing work.
The department said it remains committed to supporting all affected workers and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Eligibility details are available at myunemployment.nj.gov/federal. Applications for benefits can be submitted at myunemployment.nj.gov.
