If you are a federal worker who filed for or received unemployment benefits during the federal government shutdown, October 1, 2025 – November 13, 2025, here’s what’s next:

• Federal workers who subsequently receive back pay for the same time period that they filed for benefits are required by law to repay the unemployment benefits. In administrative terms, the benefits received are now overpayments.
  
  
• Federal workers who filed an unemployment claim in ReEmployCT and have not yet been paid or have not yet received a monetary determination letter from CTDOL should schedule a call with the Consumer Contact Center. CTDOL representatives will help cancel your application and avoid an overpayment. Do not file any weekly certifications.
   
  
• Federal workers who filed an unemployment claim in ReEmployCT and have been paid unemployment benefits will get instructions by email. It may take several weeks to establish the overpayment. Once notified that there is an overpayment, claimants have 30 days to repay the benefits or set up a payment plan. Do not file any more weekly certifications.
  
  
• Questions? Schedule a call with the CTDOL Consumer Contact Center.

Federal Layoffs

If you are a federal employee who lost their job or was placed on unpaid administrative leave, you may file for unemployment benefits. Even if you were required or urged to sign a document stating you would not file for unemployment benefits, you are legally entitled to file. Eligibility is determined case-by-case; submitting an unemployment application is the first step.

Here are a few things to know:

1. Unemployment requires copies of your paystubs. You can either print copies or screenshot them; we recommend keeping several months of paystubs in your personal files.
2. U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) developed a fact sheet, Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees. 
3. The fact sheet indicates that you should file in the state where you reside, however, that may not always be Connecticut—you may be required to file in the state referenced on the form your employer gave you upon separation. This form, the Notification of Personnel Action, also called the SF-50, will identify your last official duty station. If you file for benefits in Connecticut and should have filed in another state, CTDOL will help direct you.
4. The unemployment application asks if you were a federal employee and requires you to check a box. Double check that you’ve answered this question correctly.
   • When you check “yes”, you will be directed to call the Consumer Contact Center to assist you in submitting the application. You can make an appointment at the Consumer Contact Center or call and schedule an appointment. This additional step is critical to correctly submitting your application. 
   • If you check “no” and submit your application, your application will be delayed due to employer validation issues.
5. If you received or are receiving severance or salary continuance payment(s), you may wish to wait to file for benefits until your payments end; you will not be eligible for unemployment benefits during the weeks you receive severance or salary continuance payment(s).
6. If you were placed on paid administrative leave, you are considered fully employed and not eligible for unemployment benefits while you receive a salary.
7. As noted on the USDOL fact sheet, you must provide copies of the following:
   • (a) The SF-8, Notice to Federal Employee About Unemployment Insurance (employer provides this form upon separation); 
   • (b) The SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (employer provides this form upon separation); and 
   • (c) Proof of pay from federal employment in the last eighteen (18) months. 
8. Connecticut’s unemployment system, ReEmployCT, is available 24/7/365 for filing except during standard maintenance times. Maintenance times and other information are available on the CTDOL Consumer Contact Center page.
9. Questions should be directed to the Consumer Contact Center.