Maine Department of Labor Publishes Unemployment Insurance Guidance for Federal Employees Affected by Federal Shutdown

October 1, 2025

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Maine Department of Labor Publishes Unemployment Insurance Guidance for Federal Employees Affected by Federal Shutdown

MAINE - The Maine Department of Labor has published guidance related to unemployment insurance benefits for federal employees who are affected by the federal government shutdown. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, there are over 10,000 federal employees in Maine, not including postal workers. How many will be eligible for unemployment insurance during the shutdown is undetermined.

"The Maine Department of Labor is here to support employees affected by the federal government shutdown," Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said. "If you've been furloughed and plan to file for unemployment benefits during the shutdown, please read through our guidance. The filing process for a federal employee is different from the process for other workers, and we want the process to go as smoothly as possible for you."

The guidance and responses to FAQs are on the Department's website www.maine.gov/unemployment/ucfe/index.shtml. The topline information includes

• If you are furloughed (temporarily not working), you can apply for unemployment benefits during the shutdown. But if you have been identified as an essential worker and are still working full-time, even without pay, you are not considered unemployed and won't be eligible for benefits. If your hours have been reduced during the shutdown, you might qualify for some benefits.

• You will need to start your claim by calling 1-800-593-7660 between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. Because of the different processes for federal employees, you cannot start your claim online.

• The Department will first establish monetary eligibility for benefits, which typically takes between 10 and 14 days on federal employee claims as long as the Department has all necessary documentation. You can help this process by having a recent pay stub or last year's W2.

• You will initially receive a Monetary Determination that shows a $0 benefit eligibility. This is because the federal government does not report wages to states. This is an expected part of the process. You will receive a re-determination of monetary eligibility once the Department receives your wage information.

• Your first week of unemployment will serve as an unpaid waiting week, like for all Maine unemployment recipients. Benefits will be paid beginning with the second week of unemployment if found eligible.

• As a furloughed federal employee, you will not be required to do a work search during the shutdown period, or through the week ending November 1, 2025, whichever is sooner. The Department will assess this work search waiver as more information on the shutdown becomes available.

• Note: While a work search is not required, a weekly claim must still be submitted each week to receive benefits. The easiest way to do so once the claim is established is online at ReEmployME.Maine.gov.

• If back pay is retroactively approved, you will be required to repay any unemployment benefits you received during the shutdown.

Affected by Deferred Resignation Period Ending

Separately, paid administrative leave for federal employees who voluntarily accepted the deferred resignation program is ending on September 30, 2025. After this date, these individuals will be considered unemployed and may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Key points for workers leaving federal service under this program:

• You may file for unemployment benefits beginning the week of October 5, 2025, if you are no longer receiving wages.

• Because the separation was voluntary, you should expect to be scheduled for a phone call to discuss your reason for leaving.

• Filing a claim for benefits will follow the same process as outlined above for those laid off as a result of the Federal Shutdown. However, you will be required to look for work on a weekly basis.

• Additional guidance for federal workers may be found at: www.maine.gov/labor/federalworkers/ www.maine.gov/labor/federalworkers/