Struggling to Secure Unemployment Benefits: Laid-Off Federal Employees Find Themselves in a Holding Pattern
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Hey there, bud! Here's the scoop on the ongoing mess for unemployed federal workers.
After losing her gig at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Corinne Bazarnyj, a disabled veteran, has been stuck in limbo, awaiting approval for her unemployment benefits. Once a training specialist, she fell victim to the Trump administration's mass layoff of probationary employees, those with less than a couple of years under their belt. Despite receiving termination notices due to performance issues, Bazarnyj, who hadn't even had a formal evaluation yet, is fearful about qualifying for unemployment benefits.
"The performance thing isn't true, so I'm not sure if I'll get unemployment or not," said Bazarnyj, who recently purchased a home in Frederick, Maryland, to be near her job. Maryland's unemployment office has requested documents, leaving Bazarnyj's case in limbo.
Navigating unemployment can be a real headache for former federal employees who find themselves out of work unexpectedly. These benefits can act as a lifeline, helping folks stabilize their lives during tough times. But added complications for these laid-off staffers include having to deal with performance issues being cited as the cause for their termination, along with struggling to obtain necessary employment documents from their agencies, which are in chaos from the Trump administration's rapid reshaping of the federal workforce.
As many state unemployment offices grapple with a surge in claims, processing times have slowed, further delaying payments for laid-off staffers. A coalition of 20 states has even sued the federal government in an effort to halt further terminations and reinstate those who have been let go. Approximately 80% of federal workers call Washington, D.C., home, but even they feel the strain.
Last month, the Merit Systems Protection Board temporarily reinstated six probationary workers who had been laid off, finding that their terminations might have been unlawful due to insufficient grounds for their performance issues.
So, what's a laid-off federal employee to do? Andrew Stettner, director of economy and jobs at The Century Foundation, suggests filing for benefits as soon as a paycheck stops coming. Despite not having key documents, employees should send whatever they have, like an SF-50 form detailing wage and separation data, and an SF-8 form specifying potential eligibility for unemployment benefits.
Workers shouldn't fret about initial benefit estimates of $0; these will be updated once employment records are verified.
"Patience is key here," Stettner advises, mentioning that the process can take 21 days or longer. Nathan Barrera-Bunch, a former VA employee, filed for unemployment benefits on Valentine's Day and is still waiting for a response.
The poor performance citations on layoff notices could pose another issue. States might consider these employees ineligible for benefits for misconduct, which might result in delays if they ultimately appeal the decision. For those who successfully navigate the system, benefits can vary greatly from state to state. Former staffers must file in the state where they worked, not where they reside.
State unemployment offices are already seeing a surge in federal jobless benefit claims. In their lawsuit, the states claim that the sudden layoffs left them scrambling to identify affected employees, causing additional strain on resources. One-time administrative expenses are piling up, making the situation even tougher for workers.
States have taken steps to help federal employees navigate the system, including resources such as video tutorials to guide applicants through the process. Some states have also created FAQ sites and weekly workshops for federal employees seeking employment opportunities in the private sector or state government.
If a federal worker believes they were unjustly terminated, each claimant's eligibility will be evaluated based on their specific circumstances. However, if an employer claims that the worker's performance was subpar, a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine their eligibility.
Federal agencies have provided various reasons for the terminations, such as "unsatisfactory work performance", "lack of work due to a change in Presidential Administration", and "laid off due to a reduction in force". Some agencies stated that these workers were not actually unemployed or had voluntarily resigned.
So if you find yourself in a pickle, rest assured that there are resources available to help you get back on your feet. Just remember that patience and persistence are key in navigating this tricky situation. Good luck!
- Corinne Bazarnyj, a displaced federal worker and disabled veteran, is concerned about qualifying for unemployment benefits after being terminated from her role at the Department of Veterans Affairs, citing an ongoing issue with performance evaluations.
- As unemployment offices in various states struggle to process an influx of claims, long wait times for benefit payments have become a common issue for laid-off federal employees, such as Nathan Barrera-Bunch, who filed for benefits on Valentine's Day and is still awaiting a response.
- Despite potential complications of performance issues being cited as the cause for termination and the need to gather necessary employment documents, Andrew Stettner, director of economy and jobs at The Century Foundation, advises that federal employees file for benefits as soon as a paycheck stops coming, sending whatever documents they have available, such as an SF-50 form or an SF-8 form, to aid in the process.
