Today on 1/3/19 the following news is out on the status of the Federal Government Shutdown:
http://fortune.com/2019/01/03/shutdown-irs-tax-refund
Government Shutdown Could Delay Tax Refunds:
https://turnto10.com/news/local/government-shutdown-could-delay-tax-refunds
Democrats Announce Plan to Reopen Government Including Pay Raise for Feds:
https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2019/01/democrats-announce-plan-reopen-government-including-pay-raise-feds/153872
How the Shutdown is Reaching a Breaking Point:
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/01/how-the-shutdown-is-reaching-a-breaking-point-1053885
Furloughed Federal Employees Guide to Filing for Unemployment during the Shutdown:
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2019/01/a-furloughed-federal-employees-guide-to-filing-for-unemployment-during-the-shutdown
Government Shutdown Day 13:
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/03/government-shutdown-day-13-1078290
Shutdown Halts E-Verify Checks:
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/423613-shutdown-halts-e-verify-checks-on-capitol-hill
States Most Affected by the Shutdown:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/03/these-states-are-most-affected-by-the-government-shutdown-study-finds.html
How the Government Shutdown Impacts You:
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2019-01-02/heres-how-the-government-shutdown-impacts-you
How the Government Shutdown Affects Health Programs:
https://khn.org/news/how-the-government-shutdown-affects-health-programs
Fannie Mae Releases New Policies for Originations During Government Shutdown:
https://www.housingwire.com/articles/47823-fannie-mae-releases-new-policies-for-originations-during-government-shutdown
Shutdown by the Numbers:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/03/politics/shutdown-by-the-numbers/index.html
Government Shutdown - National Parks:
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/government-shutdown-ftc-national-parks.html
Latest White House Meeting on Shutdown Resolves Nothing:
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/latest-white-house-meeting-on-shutdown-resolves-nothing.html
Showing posts with label federal employees filing unemployment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label federal employees filing unemployment. Show all posts
January 3, 2019
September 28, 2015
Agency Contingency Plans for 2015 Shutdown
Below is link to the White House where you can click a link to view your federal agency's Contingency Plan should a government shutdown occur in 2015:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-plans
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-plans
September 22, 2015
Here We Go Again - Another Federal Government Shutdown?
Egads. Its happening again!
The Obama administration has begun formal preparations for a partial government shutdown next week:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2015/09/22/white-house-starts-shutdown-ball-rolling
The Huffington Post reports that one of the most significant outcomes of the 2013 shutdown was that it led to the temporary closure of the Department of the Interior, which provoked “public outrage” as it meant the closure of National Parks – ruining family vacations, weddings, and costing the government $414 million in lost revenue:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/interior-department-government-shutdown_55f84e34e4b09ecde1d9d12e
Last week Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced a bill assuring that all of the 2.7 million federal workers eventually would be paid if the government shuts down:
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/09/21/Another-Government-Shutdown-Washington-Prepares-Nervous-Breakdown
A government shutdown: What federal employees need to know about their pay and benefits:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2015/09/18/what-happens-to-federal-employee-pay-benefits-in-a-shutdown
October 11, 2013
For Furloughed Federal Employees, No Paid Sick or Annual Leave
Fed Smith has an in-depth article worthy of a read published 10-10-13:
"No Paid Sick or Annual Leave. What About FMLA Leave for Excepted Employees?"
A link to this article is found below.
http://www.fedsmith.com/2013/10/10/no-paid-sick-or-annual-leave-what-about-fmla-leave-for-excepted-employees
"No Paid Sick or Annual Leave. What About FMLA Leave for Excepted Employees?"
A link to this article is found below.
http://www.fedsmith.com/2013/10/10/no-paid-sick-or-annual-leave-what-about-fmla-leave-for-excepted-employees
Unfurlough.us: Website Helps Furloughed Employees Start Up Freelance Businesses
Unfurlough.us is a website that connects furloughed federal employees with freelance start-up projects. Start-up gigs are posted that they can respond to, and freelancers can post their qualifications & resumes in case a company is looking for something specific.
Here is the link to this 10-10-13 article:
http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2013/1010/Government-shutdown-Unfurlough.us-connects-federal-workers-with-start-ups
October 9, 2013
Backlogs and Worries Grow Among Furloughed Workers
The National Journal has an article "Backlogs and Worries Grow Among Furloughed Workers".
A link to this insightful article is below.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/backlogs-and-worries-grow-among-furloughed-workers-20131007
A link to this insightful article is below.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/backlogs-and-worries-grow-among-furloughed-workers-20131007
Furloughed Government Employees Are Selling Their Possessions On Craigslist For Cash
BuzzFeed Politics has an article with humor and pictures: "
http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/furloghed-government-employees-are-selling-their-possessions
Furloughed Government Employees Are Selling Their Possessions On Craigslist For Cash"
Below is the link to this article, which offers some humor in this furlough situation.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/furloghed-government-employees-are-selling-their-possessions
Tips for Furloughed Federal Workers - Filing a Claim
The Federal Department of Labor has a document with information for furloughed federal employees as to how they should prepare and file an umployment claim:
"Tips for Furloughed Federal Workers - Filing a Claim"
The pdf document is found at the link below:
http://www.dol.gov/sequestration/ucfe.pdf
Federal Workers Get 60 Percent Check on Friday
The Statesman Journal has an article "Federal Workers Get 60 Percent Check on Friday".
Below is a link to this article:
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20131008/UPDATE/131008019/Federal-workers-get-60-percent-check-Friday
Below is a link to this article:
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20131008/UPDATE/131008019/Federal-workers-get-60-percent-check-Friday
Whats Happened to the Retroactive Pay Legislation?
Fed Smith has an article "Whats Happened to the Retroactive Pay Legislation?"
Below is a link to this article.
http://www.fedsmith.com/2013/10/09/whats-happened-to-the-retroactive-pay-legislation/
Below is a link to this article.
http://www.fedsmith.com/2013/10/09/whats-happened-to-the-retroactive-pay-legislation/
October 8, 2013
October 2, 2013
Some Thoughts on the Shutdown
Today was the first day of the federal government shutdown, and was the first day I was furloughed.
Since I've had a day to let it all sink in, here are a few of my thoughts about it.
Our office is a team.
We live in a small town, and people are a pretty close-knit team at our office.
When they let everyone go today, they all trickled out of the building and that was that.
I wish there would have been some indication of solidarity amongst us.
Some sort of encouraging words spoken by the managers, to the effect of "you are valuable to us, and I'm sorry this has to happen, and there is nothing we can do about it, but we want you to know that we care about you personally and for your families and all those affected by this".
It was more like, they told us the regs, the procedures and what to expect procedurally, but nothing else really.
And to check the news, we should keep tabs on it if the shutdown ends and report to work.
And hopefully our managers will call us to let us know we can return to work.
But it was somewhat vague, and a little disconcerting.
My manager I could tell was very tired; stressed and just wanted to get out of there.
He even told me to hurry up and leave.
I had to take a few moments to collect my personal items, to water my plants, and mentally prepare myself to exit those doors.
Several co-workers I have emails for and phone numbers, so we'll be in touch.
But in meantime, its more or less each man is on his own, you gotta fend for yourself, and there is really no support system amongst us after the shutdown.
Perhaps a suggested meeting every few days - a casual non-work meeting could have been suggested, if people just wanted to talk and get together, outside of work.
But nothing like that was suggested.
So those are my thoughts.
Since I've had a day to let it all sink in, here are a few of my thoughts about it.
Our office is a team.
We live in a small town, and people are a pretty close-knit team at our office.
When they let everyone go today, they all trickled out of the building and that was that.
I wish there would have been some indication of solidarity amongst us.
Some sort of encouraging words spoken by the managers, to the effect of "you are valuable to us, and I'm sorry this has to happen, and there is nothing we can do about it, but we want you to know that we care about you personally and for your families and all those affected by this".
It was more like, they told us the regs, the procedures and what to expect procedurally, but nothing else really.
And to check the news, we should keep tabs on it if the shutdown ends and report to work.
And hopefully our managers will call us to let us know we can return to work.
But it was somewhat vague, and a little disconcerting.
My manager I could tell was very tired; stressed and just wanted to get out of there.
He even told me to hurry up and leave.
I had to take a few moments to collect my personal items, to water my plants, and mentally prepare myself to exit those doors.
Several co-workers I have emails for and phone numbers, so we'll be in touch.
But in meantime, its more or less each man is on his own, you gotta fend for yourself, and there is really no support system amongst us after the shutdown.
Perhaps a suggested meeting every few days - a casual non-work meeting could have been suggested, if people just wanted to talk and get together, outside of work.
But nothing like that was suggested.
So those are my thoughts.
October 1, 2013
We are Shut Down! List of Things Federal Employees Might Want to Do
Reported to work this morning at the federal agency I work for.
We had a brief meeting about the Shutdown, did a few things to close out and now we are officially shut down.
Returned home & am now making list of things I need to accomplish.
Considering the facts that we have no idea when we will be recalled back to work,
that we have no guarantee that we will be paid for the time we are furloughed,
and that the bills still come in and must be paid, here are things federal employees who are furloughed from the Shutdown can consider doing now:
1) Make list of things you'd like to accomplish during the Shutdown
2) Revise/Update/Make a Budget considering your non-pay current status
3) If you need to take a loan, you can get a 2% interest loan against your federal TSP (Thrift Savings Plan).
Go to the TSP website and print the forms, fill out loan application forms and sign them in presence of notary and have notary sign them.
Here is link to the TSP website where the loan forms and loan publications are found:
https://www.tsp.gov/forms/loans.shtml
4) If conserving money is an important issue for you, consider cutting back expenses.
I called Optimum (now Charter) today and was able to lower my cable tv/internet/land phone triple package cost from $135.96 a month to $94.85 a month.
Expenses you could cut & Ways to Make Some Extra Cash:
1) Food - cut back or eliminate eating out
2) Food - Eat more meatless meals & eliminate luxury foods i.e. expensive foods.
3) Use coupons and rebates for purchases.
4) Buy items in bulk which in long run is cheaper than running to store every week.
I go to Big Lots in a city south of here, and stock up on food (they carry lots of bulk, cheap food), toiletries, etc.
I buy toilet paper, paper towells, cleaning supplies, etc. in bulk.
I stock up there on packaged milk which is sterilized in waxed paper rectangle-shaped box containers. The milk doesn't need to be refrigerated until opened.
5) Shop for cheapest gas before refueling your vehicle.
Gas Buddy is a website where you can enter your zipcode and find the cheapest places to get gas:
http://gasbuddy.com
6) Cut back on home utility expenses. Keep thermostat less hot/cool, use a/c less, close off rooms and heat/cool fewer rooms. Use those twisty shaped lightbulbs that save energy to lower your electric bill. Insulate your home, windows, etc. better to conserve energy. Conserve use of water to lower water bill.
7) Have a yard sale or put items for sale in a consignment shop to get some extra cash.
8) If you have marketable skills you can make money at immediately, consider using those skills to earn money and work for yourself. Such skills that could be used temporarily would be selling arts & crafts items you make, providing childcare/babysitting services, etc.
9) If you itemize your taxes, and don't want to have a yardsale, etc. you could give donations of items to Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. and ask for receipt to use to lower your taxes when you itemize your taxes.
10) If your spouse isn't working and is capable of working, perhaps they could find part-time or full-time work during the Shutdown to supplement your income, since you now don't have an income.
11) As soon as possible, file an unemployment claim. You can file online. Here is link for Federal Employee information about filing for unemployment (the Department of Labor):
http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/unemcomp.asp
State laws vary, but most require a one to two-week waiting period before you begin receiving unemployment checks. A waiting period does not mean you must wait one or two weeks to file. You should file immediately.
Here is the link to locate your state employment website to file for in your state:
http://www.servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp
I just filed for unemployment online at my state's website and it took me about 10 minutes to file.
We had a brief meeting about the Shutdown, did a few things to close out and now we are officially shut down.
Returned home & am now making list of things I need to accomplish.
Considering the facts that we have no idea when we will be recalled back to work,
that we have no guarantee that we will be paid for the time we are furloughed,
and that the bills still come in and must be paid, here are things federal employees who are furloughed from the Shutdown can consider doing now:
1) Make list of things you'd like to accomplish during the Shutdown
2) Revise/Update/Make a Budget considering your non-pay current status
3) If you need to take a loan, you can get a 2% interest loan against your federal TSP (Thrift Savings Plan).
Go to the TSP website and print the forms, fill out loan application forms and sign them in presence of notary and have notary sign them.
Here is link to the TSP website where the loan forms and loan publications are found:
https://www.tsp.gov/forms/loans.shtml
4) If conserving money is an important issue for you, consider cutting back expenses.
I called Optimum (now Charter) today and was able to lower my cable tv/internet/land phone triple package cost from $135.96 a month to $94.85 a month.
Expenses you could cut & Ways to Make Some Extra Cash:
1) Food - cut back or eliminate eating out
2) Food - Eat more meatless meals & eliminate luxury foods i.e. expensive foods.
3) Use coupons and rebates for purchases.
4) Buy items in bulk which in long run is cheaper than running to store every week.
I go to Big Lots in a city south of here, and stock up on food (they carry lots of bulk, cheap food), toiletries, etc.
I buy toilet paper, paper towells, cleaning supplies, etc. in bulk.
I stock up there on packaged milk which is sterilized in waxed paper rectangle-shaped box containers. The milk doesn't need to be refrigerated until opened.
5) Shop for cheapest gas before refueling your vehicle.
Gas Buddy is a website where you can enter your zipcode and find the cheapest places to get gas:
http://gasbuddy.com
6) Cut back on home utility expenses. Keep thermostat less hot/cool, use a/c less, close off rooms and heat/cool fewer rooms. Use those twisty shaped lightbulbs that save energy to lower your electric bill. Insulate your home, windows, etc. better to conserve energy. Conserve use of water to lower water bill.
7) Have a yard sale or put items for sale in a consignment shop to get some extra cash.
8) If you have marketable skills you can make money at immediately, consider using those skills to earn money and work for yourself. Such skills that could be used temporarily would be selling arts & crafts items you make, providing childcare/babysitting services, etc.
9) If you itemize your taxes, and don't want to have a yardsale, etc. you could give donations of items to Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. and ask for receipt to use to lower your taxes when you itemize your taxes.
10) If your spouse isn't working and is capable of working, perhaps they could find part-time or full-time work during the Shutdown to supplement your income, since you now don't have an income.
11) As soon as possible, file an unemployment claim. You can file online. Here is link for Federal Employee information about filing for unemployment (the Department of Labor):
http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/unemcomp.asp
State laws vary, but most require a one to two-week waiting period before you begin receiving unemployment checks. A waiting period does not mean you must wait one or two weeks to file. You should file immediately.
Here is the link to locate your state employment website to file for in your state:
http://www.servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp
I just filed for unemployment online at my state's website and it took me about 10 minutes to file.
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