Area governments are responding to significant alterations to the federal workforce, offering resources to constituents impacted by these changes. COG is supporting these efforts by sharing data, information, and by connecting public, private, and non-profits leading this work in metropolitan Washington.
Sections on this page:
Local and State Resources
Upcoming Events
Frequently Asked Questions
Data and Research
LOCAL AND STATE RESOURCES
Support is available to those impacted by layoffs and other changes in the federal workforce. Learn more about specific state and local resources below, using the pointer to expand or collapse each section.
NEW: Talent Capital: Digital AI-powered platform, spearheaded by COG and a coalition of public, private, education, and nonprofit sector leaders, offering free job matching, career training, reskilling, coaching, and more to support displaced federal workers in the region.
2025 Shutdown Assistance Map - Resources for Federal Workers - created by MyFedBenefits to help federal employees affected by the government shutdown find the support they need; both locally and at the national level
District of Columbia ▶
Maryland ▶
Virginia ▶
Additional Resources ▶
UPCOMING EVENTS ▶
Find upcoming job fairs, trainings, and other related events in the list below:
Tuesday, December 2: Washington DC Hiring Event (DC)
Wednesday, December 10: JobZone Fair hosted by Fredericksburg Nationals Stadium (Fredericksburg)
Friday, March 6: Washington DC Hiring Event
Tuesdays, recurring on the second Tuesday of each month: Monthly Webinar Series: Are You a Federal Worker with a Disability Seeking Employment? (Virtual)
Tuesdays, recurring: Resource Tuesdays at Refraction Innovation Hub (McLean)
Wednesdays, recurring: Seeking New Opportunities After Work as a Federal Employee or Contractor (Maryland)
Wednesdays, recurring: United in Service and Support Online Informational Series (Montgomery County)
Recurring: Partnership for Public Service - Civil Service Support Series
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Find state-specific resources to frequently asked questions regarding unemployment and more.
Q: How can I file for unemployment? ▶
Affected federal employees can file for unemployment in the state/jurisdiction where their job was located.
> For the District of Columbia, visit the DC Office of Unemployment Commission webpage.
> For Maryland, visit the Maryland Department of Labor's Unemployment Insurance Application webpage.
> For Virginia, visit the Virginia Employment Commission website.
Q: How do I know if I qualify for unemployment? ▶
Qualification for unemployment depends on the nature of your termination from the federal government.
> Federal civilian employees who become unemployed due to no fault of their own can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE). Other eligible workers can apply through the regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) program.
> The State of Maryland provides guidance on specific circumstances with the reduction in federal workforce and how qualifications for unemployment may be affected.
> If you are represented by a union (such as the AFGE, the NTEU, NAGE, and NFFE), your union may provide representation for claims.
Q: How much money can I receive through unemployment? ▶
The maximum weekly benefits for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) varies by state. The number of weeks that workers are eligible for unemployment also varies by state. More information on maximum benefits available can be found on the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities website. For specific questions regarding your coverage, contact the unemployment agency for the state in which your job was located.
Q: Where can I go if I need additional assistance, like food, utilities, and other essentials? ▶
Visit the additional resources section of this page to find aid and other services to help cover the cost of living and other necessities.
DATA AND RESEARCH
Holistic data is essential for public, private, and non-profit partners in the region to adequately and effectively respond to the shifting needs of the region's federal workforce. Using data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, COG experts have broken down key information on where federal workers live in the region to give a fuller picture of the potential impact to the region. In addition, COG has analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to show where federal jobs are located in the region. Learn more about the federal workforce's footprint in the region, and across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia in the dashboard below.
Note: This dashboard is optimized for desktop viewing.