Approximately 80,000 federal employees in Washington state face financial uncertainty following the federal government shutdown that began Wednesday, with state agencies preparing support systems for affected workers.
The Washington Employment Security Department reports the state employs 79,532 federal workers earning combined wages of $2 billion as of first quarter 2025.
ESD Commissioner Cami Feek said the state is prepared to assist impacted workers. “We want to do everything we can to assist federal employees in our state and help them receive unemployment benefits if needed. It’s a super stressful time with all the unknown, and our agency, as well as other state and local partners, are really here to help,” Feek stated.
Furloughed federal workers and federal contractors not working during the shutdown may qualify for unemployment benefits. However, federal employees designated as “essential workers” required to work without pay are ineligible for unemployment benefits if working full-time during the shutdown.
ESD encourages furloughed workers and contracted federal employees to apply for unemployment benefits proactively as a precaution.
“We understand that there is a high level of concern and anxiety for folks, and we have been as proactive as possible to be ready. We’re here to provide the supports and assistance that impacted workers might need, whatever that pathway is. And so I encourage people to explore our work source system, online or in person, and to really reach out and apply if they feel like they need the support of unemployment insurance, and we stand ready to help them,” Feek said.
Forty WorkSource centers across Washington are available to assist workers with unemployment claims and job placement services.
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services indicated that extended shutdown duration could increase applications for food assistance, cash assistance, and child care subsidies among qualifying individuals.
The shutdown creates particular hardship for essential workers required to report for duty without compensation, including TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and border patrol agents, who cannot access unemployment benefits while working.
Federal contractors face additional uncertainty as they typically lack guaranteed back pay that direct federal employees receive once government funding resumes.
