Are You A Fired Federal Employee? Here’s What You May Want To Do Next
How to move forward
“Figuring out what to do next after losing your job can feel incredibly daunting,” said Harshal Varpe, career expert at job site Indeed. “The first thing you need to do is make a short-term plan. It is like triage ‒ before you start looking for the long-term fix, you need to stop the bleeding. What resources are available to you to help you pay the bills? Are you eligible for unemployment assistance or did you get offered severance pay? Once you understand how to navigate the immediate future, you can start thinking about your next steps.”
Source: USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2025/02/17/what-to-do-lost-federal-government-job-resources/78976164007/
First Steps…
Are you eligible for unemployment assistance? Yes.
The UCFE, Unemployment Compensation For Federal Employees program provides unemployment compensation for Federal employees who lost their employment through no fault of their own. Refer to the Unemployment Insurance Fact Sheet Unemployment Insurance Fact Sheet link, which outlines Unemployment compensation for federal employees, UCFE eligibility requirements, how to file a claim, appeals process and much more. https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/docs/factsheet/UCFE_FactSheet.pdf
Key Job Search Strategies
Polish your resume
LinkedIn gives practical and modern tips on re-branding your resume. You can also network with former colleagues and personal contacts. Seek a new full-time job to hold you over until you can find permanent employment. Job sites such as Indeed.com, TheLadders.com, USAJobs.gov, Monster.com, are good places to start. Consider working with a career coach. You can find certified coaches through the International Coaching Federation. This is an opportunity for free career coaching. Look into remote work or consulting for short-term income. Here is a resource that you may find useful.
Sources: LinkedIn (31) Post | LinkedIn
International Coaching Federation The Gold Standard in Coaching | ICF – Credentialed Coach Finder
LinkedIn https://lnkd.in/eGXsReFE
Job seekers struggling to find work should take time to reevaluate their goals, according to Amanda Augustine, a career expert at resume-writing service TopResume. Finding a job may require jumping to a new industry, she said, or saying yes to a “steppingstone” job that could lead to a better opportunity down the road. One of Augustine’s favorite ways to find new opportunities is to search through LinkedIn for workers who held similar roles.. What kind of job did they take next? What industry are they working in today?
Source: USA Today Looking for work? Career experts share advice for job seekers
How to pay for rent and mortgage obligations
Consider state-run rental assistance programs or mortgage forbearance options through your lender, suggests District Capital Management, a fee-only financial planning company.
Source: District Capitol Management Reduction In Force (RIF) For Federal Employees: What to Do If You Get Laid Off
Paying utility bills
You can apply for government assistance through your state’s energy assistance program office for help with cooling and heating bills, the financial planning firm said.
Source: LIHEAP LIHEAP – Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Paying student loan bills
If you can’t make your student loan payments or pay your kid’s tuition, contact your loan servicer or child’s financial aid office immediately to work out a plan and check your options. If you have a federal student loan, you may be able to lower the monthly amount by switching plans or pausing payments through deferment or forbearance. Just make sure you carefully consider the pros and cons of each, the Department of Education says.
Source: Federal Student Aid Lower or Suspend Student Loan Payments | Federal Student Aid
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS IF LAID OFF?
Office of Personnel Management resources can help you understand and navigate employment-related appeals. If those aren’t clear, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., suggests workers find and contact their unions. “A number of unions have a national consultation relationship with the Office of Personnel Management,” he said on his website.
Sources: OPM Labor-Management Relations – OPM.gov
OPM Labor-Management Relations – OPM.gov
Congressman Gerry Connelly Resources for Federal Workers | U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly
Take care of your mental health
“Layoffs are always hard,” said Harshal Varpe, career expert at job site Indeed. “Losing your job is like having a rug pulled out from under you, and for many federal workers right now, it can feel like the entire floor just disappeared. Being laid off at the same time as a few thousand of your peers into a job market that may no longer be employing people with your experience adds a whole new level of stress.” Set aside some time to do things you enjoy, journal, or talk to a trusted friend or speak to a professional if you’re really struggling.
Source: USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2025/02/17/what-to-do-lost-federal-government-job-resources/78976164007/
Some resources include:
Betterhelp.com
988lifeline.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
National Register of Health Service Psychologists.
