Government Unemployment Insurance for Federal and Military Employees

Government unemployment insurance benefits are funded primarily by a tax on private employers. If these private employers lay off workers, there is money available to pay unemployment benefits to those who have lost their jobs. If you worked for the federal government as opposed to for a private company, you are likely still eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Many federal agencies also put money into unemployment funds in case they need to lay off any of their workers.

Most federal employees file for unemployment benefits the same way a private employee in their state would. The federal government provides funds that are then doled out through each state's unemployment agency. If you were an employee of the federal government and have been laid off, you should apply for unemployment insurance benefits through your state's unemployment office. The same eligibility requirements that affect private workers in your state will apply to you as well. You will need to meet the same minimum required amount of time employed in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits. You will also need to continue to provide information about your job search and other sources of income when you submit your additional claims for unemployment benefits each week.

• Members of the military, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, and U. S. Public Health Service are also eligible to receive unemployment insurance from the government through the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-service members program. However, if you were enlisted in the military, your discharge must have been honorable. In this case, you should file your claim for benefits through your state's state workforce agency rather than through your state's unemployment office.

Even though members of the military file their unemployment claims through a different office, they are still subjected to the same unemployment insurance benefit regulations that dictate the terms and eligibility for benefits of others living in their state. The maximum amount of time that you can receive unemployment benefits is the same for military personnel as it is for civilians. The regulations that dictate how and when you must continue to file for benefits are also the same. The amount of money you are eligible to receive in your weekly unemployment check will be calculated the same way as it is for non-service members. Your income over a set period of time will be averaged per week, and you will receive a predetermined percentage of your average weekly income.