Federal Government Furlough FAQ
Unemployment Insurance
This FAQ has been developed specifically to address Unemployment Insurance (UI) questions associated with the potential government furlough. We encourage you to review the resources under “Worker Resources” available online at: http://labor.alaska.gov/unemployment/home.htm
Yes, claim center staff will be available for questions. Due to anticipated high call volumes it is suggested to first consult the online resources available at http://labor.alaska.gov/unemployment/home.htm
Yes, claims will be processed. We encourage the use of myAlaska to file your claim electronically at https://my.alaska.gov.
If this is your first time filing an unemployment insurance claim in Alaska, you cannot file online. To file a claim, you must call and speak to a claim center representative at one of the phone numbers below.
Claim center staffs are available at the following numbers:
Anchorage area callers: (907) 269-4700
Juneau area callers: (907) 465-5552
All other callers: (888) 252-2557
You may file a claim online at any time by going to http://my.alaska.gov and clicking on "Unemployment Insurance Benefits." However, you will not be eligible to collect benefits while you are working full-time.
If you do file an initial claim while still employed, you would select "Working Full-Time" as your Separation Reason from the drop-down menu.
Whether you file now, or after your last day of work, you will be mailed program information which explains eligibility and filing requirements.
Yes, everyone is required to serve a one week waiting period. The first eligible week of a new claim is a "waiting week." You do not receive payment for this week. However, you must file for the week to get credit for the week and meet the same requirements as any other week.
No.
To expedite the claim process, have the following information available:
• Your Social Security Number
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need your alien registration number and work permit type or other documentation that authorizes your employment in the United States
• Name, mailing address and phone number of your last employer and the location where you reported to work
• Dates of your last employment, first and last day worked
• Earnings you made in the last week of your employment
• Other deductible income received in the last week of employment; such as vacation, severance or bonus pay
Additional Information for Federal Employees
Yes, certain federal employees subject to the furlough may be eligible for unemployment compensation.
• Federal employees that are 100% furloughed may be eligible for unemployment compensation.
• Federal workers required to continue work without pay, "Excepted Federal Employees," are not eligible for unemployment compensation. Even though they may not be paid while working, because they continue to provide full-time services, Excepted Federal Employees are not considered unemployed.
• Federal employees working less than full-time may be eligible for unemployment compensation depending on the number of hours worked or wages earned.
Employees are required to repay unemployment compensation for weeks that are covered by backpay. To begin the process of paying back unemployment compensation, please contact the UI claim center using one of the phone numbers below, Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Anchorage: (907) 269-4700
Juneau: (907) 465-5552
Fairbanks: (907) 451-2871
Remote areas: (888) 252-2557
In addition to the information listed in #6 above, federal employees may need to submit the following:
• SF-8
• SF-50
• W-2
• Leave and Earnings Statement.
