Message re: Unemployment
Furloughed Smithsonian employees may apply for unemployment compensation benefits as a result of the lapse in appropriations. The Department of Labor is actively working with unemployment offices in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to ensure that state unemployment offices have the information they need to help process these claims.
If you, as a Smithsonian employee, decide to file for unemployment compensation, the attached form SF 8 has the information you will need to complete your claim. While the form indicates it is for Federal employees, Trust employees should use the same form when filing for unemployment compensation. The Smithsonian Institution uses a third party (ADP Unemployment Group/The Frick Company) to coordinate our unemployment claims, and that firm works between the state unemployment office and the Smithsonian to provide the necessary data.
Employees who wish to file for unemployment should file based on where they work – for instance, employees who work in the District of Columbia should file in the District of Columbia, regardless of where they live. The same applies to all other duty stations. A state by state list of unemployment websites can be found at:
The following are also important FAQ’s related to pay during a furlough and unemployment.
Pay Status
During a government shut-down, employees who are not required to work under one of the exceptionsabove may not even volunteer their services. Employees not required to work are “furloughed,”that is, placed in a non-pay, non-duty status, until the shut-down ends.
Will “excepted” employees get paid?
The Smithsonian will incur obligations to pay for services performed by excepted employees during a lapse in appropriations, and those employees will be paid after Congress passes and the President signs a new appropriation or continuing resolution. This includes the up to 4 hours of orderly shutdown.
Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?
State UI laws regarding eligibility vary. You mayapply on or after the first day you are furloughed.
The state where you file your claim will determineyour eligibility. In general, furloughed employeesshould be eligible as long as all other state eligibilityfactors are met.
How do I file an unemployment claim?
You need to contact the state where you worked to file a claim. To find contact information for your state, please visit the website listed above.
What is the weekly amount of UCFE benefits paid, and how long do benefits last?
Most states pay a maximum of 26 weeks of regular benefits; the maximum weekly benefit amount of
UCFE is based on the state law; the amounts will vary.
How soon will benefits begin to be paid?
Some states require individuals to serve a waiting week, which means that the first week after a claim is filed is an unpaid week. In general, most states will issue payments to eligible individuals within 14-21 days after the claim is filed.
What will happen if employees are paid for time during the shutdown period?
Should an appropriation or continuing resolution occur that retroactively provides for the payment of salary, state and Federal UI laws governing benefit overpayments will need to be applied to those weeks in which benefits were paid.