A month has passed since Corinne Bazarnyj lost her job at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and she is still waiting for the approval of her unemployment benefits. Bazarnyj, a disabled veteran who joined the agency as a training specialist in November, found herself caught in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s aggressive layoffs targeting probationary workers. These employees, typically with less than one or two years of experience, were subjected to immediate terminations that cited non-existent performance issues, complicating their ability to access unemployment benefits.
“I was terminated based on performance, that is not true. So, I honestly don’t know if I’m going to get unemployment or not,” stated Bazarnyj, who had recently bought a house in Frederick, Maryland. The state’s unemployment agency has been requesting documents regarding her employment, yet her case remains in a pending status.
The urgency of securing unemployment benefits is critical for former federal employees like Bazarnyj, who often find themselves struggling to adjust to sudden joblessness. Many workers have received termination notices citing performance as the reason for their layoffs, despite not being in their positions long enough for a legitimate evaluation. This tactic not only undermines their previous roles but also complicates their eligibility for unemployment benefits.
Democratic lawmakers have rallied as a bipartisan coalition of 20 states have filed lawsuits against the federal government demanding a halt to the terminations and reinstatement of laid-off employees pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. The Merit Systems Protection Board recently sided with some of these workers, temporarily reinstating them due to likely unlawful termination processes.
Andrew Stettner from The Century Foundation explains that unlike private sector unemployment claims, federal workers’ claims face additional hurdles due to the lack of wage verification records in state unemployment offices. This convoluted process requires states to contact federal agencies to confirm employment details on a case-by-case basis—a notable challenge amidst a federal workforce that is rapidly being reduced under Trump’s policies.
With states like California reporting an influx of initial unemployment claims from federal workers since Trump’s administration took office, the statistics reveal a stark increase. Washington, DC saw claims soar to over 550 in just one week in mid-February, a significant uptick from previous months. Meanwhile, Maryland recorded an increment of over 380 employment claims from federal workers, prompting state officials to divert resources to accommodate the mounting demands.
As unemployment claims rise, Maryland and Virginia have implemented online resources aimed at helping federal workers navigate application processes. With benefits dependent upon where the employee was duty stationed, the varied compensation amounts—from Maryland’s maximum weekly benefit of $430 to Washington’s $1,079—illustrate the disparities facing these workers across the nation.
Despite ongoing struggles, experts like Stettner urge those laid off to file for benefits immediately to minimize financial distress while awaiting official decisions. Understanding the complexities tied to their abrupt layoffs under Trump’s administration remains vital for federal workers aiming to secure their entitlements.