1. Can I file a new claim after accepting a federal buyout offer?
A buyout offer to a federal government employee that requires voluntary resignation from employment may impact your ability to receive unemployment compensation. Under most circumstances, if you resign or quit your job, you may be ineligible to receive unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. However, should you choose to file an initial claim, your application will be assigned to a claims examiner who will investigate the circumstances that led to your separation to determine if you are eligible for UI benefits.
A buyout offer to a federal government employee that requires voluntary resignation from employment may impact your ability to receive unemployment compensation. Under most circumstances, if you resign or quit your job, you may be ineligible to receive unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. However, should you choose to file an initial claim, your application will be assigned to a claims examiner who will investigate the circumstances that led to your separation to determine if you are eligible for UI benefits.
2. If I receive severance pay, am I able to file for unemployment benefits?
If you receive severance pay or any payment of wages following your resignation or separation from employment, under most circumstances, you will not be eligible to receive UI benefits until after the conclusion of all wage payments or severance period. Should you choose to file for UI benefits, you must disclose all severance and wage payment information. Upon submission of your application, your case will be assigned to a claims examiner who will investigate your claim to determine if you received severance and how the severance payments were allocated and dispersed. The investigation will determine eligibility for UI benefits or overpayment.
If you receive severance pay or any payment of wages following your resignation or separation from employment, under most circumstances, you will not be eligible to receive UI benefits until after the conclusion of all wage payments or severance period. Should you choose to file for UI benefits, you must disclose all severance and wage payment information. Upon submission of your application, your case will be assigned to a claims examiner who will investigate your claim to determine if you received severance and how the severance payments were allocated and dispersed. The investigation will determine eligibility for UI benefits or overpayment.
3. Should I continue to certify my weekly claim?
Yes. Individuals who are currently receiving unemployment benefits should continue to certify for their weekly claims, throughout their period of unemployment. Claimants will only be able to file their weekly continued claim forms at dcnetworks.org or by phone using the automated interactive voice response (IVR) system at 202-724-7000.
Yes. Individuals who are currently receiving unemployment benefits should continue to certify for their weekly claims, throughout their period of unemployment. Claimants will only be able to file their weekly continued claim forms at dcnetworks.org or by phone using the automated interactive voice response (IVR) system at 202-724-7000.
4. If I make a mistake while filing for my weekly benefits, will I still receive my UI benefits?
We strongly encourage claimants to answer all questions carefully and to thoroughly review all answers before submitting weekly claim forms. If filing weekly certifications by phone, we encourage claimants to listen carefully when responding to the automatic prompts. Mistakes will delay your payments until the assigned claims examiner is able to address individual issues and may result in overpayments. During this period, we anticipate an increased call volume, which may impact the wait for assistance with processing claims.
We strongly encourage claimants to answer all questions carefully and to thoroughly review all answers before submitting weekly claim forms. If filing weekly certifications by phone, we encourage claimants to listen carefully when responding to the automatic prompts. Mistakes will delay your payments until the assigned claims examiner is able to address individual issues and may result in overpayments. During this period, we anticipate an increased call volume, which may impact the wait for assistance with processing claims.
5. What is the one-week waiting period?
Under District law, there is a one-week waiting period before benefits are paid. The waiting period is the first week for which you would otherwise be eligible. Generally, this is the first week of your claim. No payment is made for the waiting period. For the purposes of unemployment insurance, a week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.
Under District law, there is a one-week waiting period before benefits are paid. The waiting period is the first week for which you would otherwise be eligible. Generally, this is the first week of your claim. No payment is made for the waiting period. For the purposes of unemployment insurance, a week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.
6. As a federal government employee, does the one-week waiting period apply to me?
Yes. The one-week waiting period applies to all claimants filing for UI benefits.
Yes. The one-week waiting period applies to all claimants filing for UI benefits.
7. How long does it take to approve my unemployment compensation application?
The number of unemployment claims filed is expected to increase during this time. The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) has planned for the increase in demand through technological and program enhancements and by allocating additional resources.
The number of unemployment claims filed is expected to increase during this time. The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) has planned for the increase in demand through technological and program enhancements and by allocating additional resources.
Processing these claims as quickly and effectively as possible depends primarily on two things:
- Ensuring the claimant is filing in the jurisdiction where s/he physically worked (your physical duty station), AND
- How quickly DOES receives accurate wage information from the employee’s Standard Form 50 (SF-50), Standard Form 8 (SF-8), pay stubs, W-2s, or other wage documentation.
Please be aware that you must submit a copy of your SF-50 and SF-8 with your application, if available. In addition to your SF-50 or SF-8, you will be required to provide additional wage documentation (such as your last two pay stubs and your W-2s), accompanied by a Wage Affidavit or Form 193-Monetary Redetermination, to determine monetary eligibility.
The District of Columbia is federally required to process UI benefit claims within 21 days. Receiving the required information, outlined above may allow for DOES to process claims more expeditiously than this prescribed timeline, assuming all other eligibility requirements are met. See Claimant’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for more details on eligibility requirements.
8. How do I provide my Standard Form-50 and Standard Form-8 if I do not have them at the time I submit my application?
Upon receipt from your agency, you can submit your SF-50 and SF-8 through email to [email protected] or fax to 202- 724-1363.
Upon receipt from your agency, you can submit your SF-50 and SF-8 through email to [email protected] or fax to 202- 724-1363.
9. Why do I have to provide my Standard Form-50 and Standard Form-8?
The SF-50 and SF-8 are required to determine the employing federal agency and your duty station.
The SF-50 and SF-8 are required to determine the employing federal agency and your duty station.
10. How do I determine my duty station?
When reviewing your SF-50, please refer to line 39. If you worked in the United States and line 39 does not state Washington, District of Columbia, please file a claim with the state referenced on line 39.
When reviewing your SF-50, please refer to line 39. If you worked in the United States and line 39 does not state Washington, District of Columbia, please file a claim with the state referenced on line 39.
11. If I work internationally for the federal government, where should I file a claim for unemployment benefits?
If you worked internationally, you should file a UI benefits claim with your state of residency within the United States. Links to all State Workforce Agencies can be found using the following link: servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp.
If you worked internationally, you should file a UI benefits claim with your state of residency within the United States. Links to all State Workforce Agencies can be found using the following link: servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp.
12. How do I determine what employing agency to list on the initial claim application?
On your SF-50, please refer to line 49, which will state the employing department or agency.
On your SF-50, please refer to line 49, which will state the employing department or agency.
13. What if I do not know my 3-digit agency code?
You may find your 3-digit agency code on your SF-8 form.
You may find your 3-digit agency code on your SF-8 form.
14. As a federal employee, will I be required to look for work if I file for unemployment insurance benefits?
All federal employees will be required to obtain two job search contacts, as outlined on the weekly certification form, if they file for UI benefits in the District of Columbia.
All federal employees will be required to obtain two job search contacts, as outlined on the weekly certification form, if they file for UI benefits in the District of Columbia.
15. What number should I call for general questions?
Information can be found on our website at does.dc.gov and dcnetworks.org, or you may call the Customer Navigation Center at 202-724-7000. Please be aware that we anticipate high call volumes which may result in longer wait times due to the current changes in the federal administration and the increased number of federal government employee filings.
Information can be found on our website at does.dc.gov and dcnetworks.org, or you may call the Customer Navigation Center at 202-724-7000. Please be aware that we anticipate high call volumes which may result in longer wait times due to the current changes in the federal administration and the increased number of federal government employee filings.
16. If I worked for the Pentagon, will I qualify for unemployment benefits in the District of Columbia?
For unemployment insurance purposes, the Pentagon is in Arlington, VA. If you worked at the Pentagon, please contact the State of Virginia to file an unemployment claim using the following link: vec.virginia.gov/unemployed.
17. If I worked for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will I qualify for unemployment benefits in the District of Columbia?
For unemployment insurance purposes, there are no airports within Washington, DC. If you performed work for Ronald Reagan National Airport, please contact the State of Virginia to file an unemployment claim. Links to the Virginia Employment Commission can be found at vec.virginia.gov/unemployed.
18. If I worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), can I file a claim for unemployment benefits?
CIA workers must file a claim with the District of Columbia rather than the State of Virginia to qualify for UI benefits.
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