• Furloughed federal employees can apply for unemployment at any time before a shutdown ends if your hours have been reduced per the following resources.
• • Texas:
    • Apply online at https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/unemployment-benefits.
    • Click here if you have questions about Texas unemployment process.

• • New Mexico:
    • Apply online. Go to https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/.
    • Call 1-877-664-6984 Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
  • Other states: use the Department of Labor service locator website at

Unemployment Benefits Finder | CareerOneStop

• In many states, the first payable week after your claim effective date is considered a “waiting period week”. See general unemployment FAQs at Unemployment Benefits Help Page | CareerOneStop or check your state’s page.

NOTE:  For federal employees, if you receive unemployment, you will be responsible for paying back those benefits once you return to work and receive your federal paycheck.

• Information Needed to Apply for benefits typically includes…
  • Personal information: Social Security number, address, driver license number, and date of birth
  • Employer information: your employer’s name and location, and dates worked, and
  • Estimate of the federal wages you earned in the last 18 months (gross pay)
• If you apply in Texas, you will receive the request for proof of federal wages:
  • Correct your estimated federal wages on the form, if needed
  • Sign it
  • Attach proof of federal employment that indicates you were an employee, such as your 2024 W-2 form or a recent leave and earning statement with your name, Social Security number, and employing agency, and
  • Return it to the Texas Workforce Commission.
  • NOTE: If your employer is a contractor for the federal government, then name the contractor as your last employer when you apply for benefits. However, you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits if not “laid off”.
• Acceptable Proof of Federal Employment (non-federal employees can submit pay stubs)
  • Standard Form SF-8 provided with furlough notice (contains NASA Federal Identification Code) AND
  • One of the following containing your name, SSN, agency, & indicating your employment
    • Your 2024 W-2 form
    • Leave and Earning Statement (can be printed from Employee Express at https://www.employeeexpress.gov)
    • Your most recent Standard Form SF-50, Notice of Personnel Action
      • See section 2.2.5 of the NASA Shutdown Furlough Guide for Employees for how to obtain your latest SF50.
• You do NOT need to exhaust your leave before you apply for Unemployment Insurance, since federal employees are unable to use paid leave during a furlough.

Please note that the above summary has been prepared for you by your JSC Human Resources team for convenience and may not be completely up-to-date or accurate as unemployment agency websites and requirements change.