[dropcap size=big]F[/dropcap]ederal workers furloughed in California because of the partial U.S. government shutdown can right away apply for state unemployment benefits, although they will have to repay the money if they recover their lost pay, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a press conference Thursday.
“Let the word go forth: We'll cover you, we'll have your back,” Newsom said on Thursday at a press conference. “Come in, we already have EDD on alert that we want to bring those 144,000 folks that may be impacted and let them know that they should be able to pay their rent, come the end of Friday.”
He made the promise during his presentation of his first state budget plans at the same press conference.
The Employment Development Department also notified the public of the extension of unemployment benefits on its website. It said, “During a government shutdown, employees who are not required to work are ‘furloughed’ or placed in a non-pay, non-duty status until the shutdown ends. Federal government employees in California impacted by the shutdown may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.”