IF YOU WISH TO FILE A CLAIM FOR BENEFITS DUE TO BEING FURLOUGHED AS A RESULT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS:

This guidance applies only to employees furloughed due to the government shutdown. If you were separated from federal employment before the shutdown, this does not apply to you. 

If you receive unemployment benefits due to a federal furlough, you will be required to repay those benefits to the Virginia Employment Commission once a resolution is passed reinstating your federal employment, if your federal employer pays you for the period you were furloughed after your return to work.

If you still wish to file a claim for benefits, you must file your claim with the state where your duty station is located. Please refer to your SF-50 form, provided by your employer, for your duty station information.

How to Apply for Benefits

• Apply online through Customer Self-Service (CSS) using the green ID.me button for secure identity verification. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply.
  • Have a driver’s license or government-issued ID ready.
  • If you already have an ID.me account, make sure your profile, including address, is up-to-date before signing in.
  • For ID.me account help, visit the ID.me Help Center.
• You may also call the VEC Customer Contact Center at 1-866-832-2363 or visit a local Workforce Center, where Virginia Works staff can assist. Find your nearest Workforce Center here.

What You Need to Apply for Benefits as a Furloughed Federal Worker

• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action form
• W-2
• SF-8, Notice to Federal Employee About Unemployment Insurance form
• Pay stubs
• Military service members: Submit a copy of your DD214 (Member 4)

Furloughed employees must meet all eligibility requirements to receive benefits, including actively seeking other work. Employees who are considered essential personnel and required to work without pay are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits.

Important! Your Claim Will Be Monetarily Denied Until VEC Has Wage Information 

The federal government does not regularly report wages. If you worked for one of these employers during the four quarters shown on your Monetary Determination, you must submit wage documents so we can verify your eligibility for unemployment benefits.

Until you submit these documents or the VEC confirms your wages with your former employer, your Statement of Wages and Potential Benefit Entitlement will show no wages, and your claim will be denied. You cannot appeal your Monetary Determination until you submit the required documents and a re-determination is completed.

How to Submit Your Wage Documents:

• Federal civilian workers: Submit a copy of your SF-50 or SF-8 and be sure to include your Federal Civilian Wage Verification form when mailing, uploading or faxing your documents.
• Military service members: Submit a copy of your DD214 (Member 4)

Submission Options:

• Preferred: Mail to:
  Virginia Employment Commission
  Monetary Determination Unit
  P.O. Box 27887, Richmond, VA 23261-7887
• Upload: Through your Customer Self-Service account
• Fax: 804-786-4779

Important Notes:

• Processing takes time due to employer verification delays.
• To avoid delays, make sure you include and return your Federal Civilian Wage Verification form with your wage documents.
• You cannot file weekly claims until your wages are confirmed.
• Once your claim validates, begin filing your weekly claims right away. You have 21 days from the date your claim validates to file your weekly certifications, or your claim may close.
• Keep a record of your weekly job contacts so you can provide them when filing resumes.