The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is taking steps to assist more than 110,000 federal employees in the state during the ongoing federal government shutdown. The department is providing information and support to help affected workers access unemployment benefits and other services.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes stated, “The Georgia Department of Labor is committed to supporting every worker affected by the federal government shutdown. Millions of workers across industries – from manufacturing to healthcare – depend on stable government funding to keep paychecks coming and operations running. A lapse in funding threatens not only livelihoods, but also the momentum of our economic recovery. Protecting jobs means protecting families, communities, and the future of our nation. The time to act is now.”
Furloughed federal employees may qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, which can be applied for online through the MyUI Claimant Portal at https://dol.georgia.gov or in person at any of GDOL’s 34 career centers across Georgia. GDOL has launched a dedicated webpage to centralize guidance and resources for federal workers.
Federal unemployment claims are determined based on an employee’s last duty station rather than their place of residence. Workers filing claims need to provide additional employment and wage documentation from their agencies; delays in agency responses during a shutdown could affect claim processing if required documents are missing.
During this period, furloughed employees are considered “job-attached” and do not have to conduct job searches for the first six weeks. Federal employees who continue working without pay must still report gross earnings when requesting weekly unemployment payments.
Once Congress resolves the shutdown, furloughed employees will receive back pay. Any unemployment benefits received during this time will need to be repaid.
In addition to unemployment assistance, GDOL’s career centers offer connections with partners such as the Technical College System of Georgia and WorkSource Georgia for training programs and job support.
Rivera Holmes added, “Our priority is making sure Georgia’s federal employees have accurate information, easy access to services, and clear guidance on what steps to take next. We’ve been through shutdowns before, and our staff are prepared to assist quickly and with compassion.”
Employers seeking help can contact GDOL staff via https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail. Claimants needing more information about unemployment benefits can call 877-709-8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal online or go in person to a local career center for assistance. For labor market data and job listings in Georgia, individuals can use the Georgia LaborMarket Explorer for comprehensive reports.
