Federal Layoff Resources

Federal Unemployment F.A.Q.

If you are a federal employee who has been recently separated, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. You should file your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. For more information, please review the Federal Q&A below.

Rapid Response Line: (406) 444-3454

FAQ

  • File your claim when you are separated and no longer working. You may file the claim online at uiclaimant.mt.gov.

  • If you received a SF-8 or SF-50, make sure to have it while filing. You will need to answer these questions about your federal employment when you first file:

    Q2_SpecialPrograms.png

    The following questions may be asked:FederalFAQ_Screenshot

    This will assist Unemployment Insurance in knowing you are filing a claim where federal employment is involved.

  • When it asks about employment history, no employer is presented and/or my federal employer isn’t listed?

    Federal wages aren’t reported to any states until they are requested, this is why your federal employer isn’t listed. You will need to use the ‘+ Add Employer’ option in the lower right-hand corner of the Employment History screen to add your federal employer.

    FAQ_FedSearch.png

    A box will present asking for the Federal Identification Code, this number can be found on your SF-8 or SF-50. If you can’t locate it or don’t have the SF-8 or SF-50, you can search your employer as shown to the above.

     

  • Federal wages are not in a state system until UI requests them from the department of the federal government you work for. When we request your wages, we may not receive a response due to the federal shutdown. If that occurs, you may be sent an affidavit concerning the wages which needs to be completed and returned with a copy of your SF-50 and pay stubs.
  • Once you file your claim, to receive payment you must file weekly payment requests on uiclaimant.mt.gov and be eligible based on unemployment insurance criteria. Note that you will not be paid on the first week on your claim and this is called waiting week. You must file a weekly request for payment for this week.
  • Report the separation when you are completing your weekly pay request, and UI will review the information.
  • Log into your Claimant Center, send a web message under the ‘Severance’ category, notify the agency of the amount of your severance, what date you are receiving the payout and the last day you physically worked for the employer.
  • Log into your Claimant Center, send a web message under the ‘Job Attachment’ category, and notify the agency of what date you are no longer job attached.

  • The following will help as we establish your claim:

    1. Go into your employee portal and print the last 18 months of pay stubs in case Unemployment Insurance asks for them—don’t send them in until you receive a request.
    2. Unemployment Insurance must reach out to certain contacts, providing your Human Resources or an additional contact won’t help the process.

Resources

  • DLI will be holding Rapid Response events to assist those impacted by the Federal layoffs. 

     
    DATE TIME LOCATION VIRTUAL LINK
           

  • The Montana Department of Labor and Industry provides a variety of resources to assist jobseekers as they navigate career exploration and job search needs.

    Explore Montana State Jobs.
    Search for jobs on CareerOneStop.
    Check out the upcoming JSEC Jobs Jamboree.

    Online
    Several online resources exist for job seekers including information about the Montana labor market, job projections, and occupational wage data at lmi.mt.gov/index.

    You can also explore different careers and access job prep resources through the Montana Career Lab at lmi.mt.gov/Career/index.

    In Person
    You can receive free job search support, resume and cover letter review, and interview preparation in any of our 18 Job Service Offices across the state. JS-LocMap24-01.png

  • It’s important to update your resume to properly translate your detailed government job duties and accomplishments into concise, action-oriented statements that highlight relevant skills and achievements, using common industry terminology, and generally shortening the length to fit a standard 1-2 page resume format while still emphasizing key qualifications for the desired civilian role. You will also want to avoid overly technical government jargon and acronyms.

    Key Points for Revising Your Federal Resume:

    • Simplify Language
      Replace government-specific terms with their civilian equivalents. For example, “program manager” instead of “project officer,” “stakeholder engagement” instead of “interagency coordination”.
    • Tailor to Each Job
      Customize your resume for each civilian position by highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences listed in the job description.
    • Condense Details
      While federal resumes often require extensive detail, civilian resumes can be more concise, focusing on key accomplishments and responsibilities.
    • Remove Unnecessary Information
      Eliminate details like agency-specific acronyms, occupational series numbers, and overly technical jargon that may not be familiar to private sector hiring managers.
    • Focus on Results
      Quantify your achievements with numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact of your work.

    Example of translating federal government experience to non-government terms:
    Federal Role: “Managed a team of analysts responsible for developing and implementing budget proposals for a large federal agency.”

    The “Transferrable Skill”: “Led a team of financial analysts in crafting and executing strategic budget plans, resulting in $X million in cost savings.”

    Key Resume Highlights for Private Sector and Non-Government Jobs

    • Technical Skills
      Specific software proficiency, data analysis skills, project management tools.
    • Leadership Experience
      Managing teams, supervising staff, delegating tasks.
    • Problem Solving Abilities
      Identifying issues, developing solutions, implementing improvements.
    • Communication Skills
      Effective written and verbal communication, stakeholder engagement.

    Other Things to Keep In Mind

    1. Review Job Descriptions Carefully. Analyze each job posting to identify the key skills and qualifications they are seeking.
    2. Use a Standard Resume Format. Select a chronological or functional format depending on your career goals.
    3. Proofread Thoroughly. Ensure your resume is free from errors and presents a professional image.