Federal Government Shutdown Information

You may choose to close your claim. There is no need to contact the department to close your claim. The claim will inactivate when you stop filing weekly certifications.

Any furloughed or excepted federal employee who was paid unemployment insurance (UI) benefits during the time of the partial government shutdown, and will be receiving back pay, must pay back the UI benefits received.

The department will send you a Statement of Account letter on the first of the month after an overpayment has been determined. The letter will show the total amount of benefits that you will need to pay back. You have the option of paying the full amount due or making arrangements to pay the amount in installments. Follow the instructions in the letter you receive to make a payment or call the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at 1-877-664-6984 to set up a payment arrangement.

Yes, any taxes you chose to withhold from your weekly benefit amount will be included in the overpayment amount.

Yes, any dependent allowance payments will be part of your overpayment.

To avoid any collection activities, the department is encouraging you to pay the full amount as soon as possible. If you are unable to pay the full amount at one time, a payment plan is available. Contact the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at 1-877-664-6984 to request a payment plan.

• ONLINE
  Log in to your Unemployment Insurance Tax & Claims System account at www.jobs.state.nm.us. Once you have logged in, select “Manage Debt” and then select “Make Payment.”
• BY MAIL
  Mail in a check, money order, or cashier’s check with a copy of your Notice of Determination and/or your Claimant ID to the following address:
  New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
  Attention: Benefit Payment Control
  P.O. Box 1928
  Albuquerque, NM 87103-1928
• PAYMENT PLAN
  Set up a payment plan by calling 1-877-664-6984 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

If you already have a claim, access your account online and select the “Reopen” link. By selecting the reopen link, your account will be reactivated, and you will be able to start certifying the Sunday after your claim is reopened. Please note, once you reopen your claim you will be required to serve a “waiting week” before your benefits will become eligible.

If you do not already have a claim, you may file your new (initial) Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim online by going to the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System at www.jobs.state.nm.us. You may also call the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at 1-877-664-6984, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

If you are unable to reopen your claim, please contact the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at 1-877-664-6984, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

In New Mexico you may apply for benefits on or after the first day you are furloughed. Furloughed employees should be eligible as long as all other state eligibility factors are met.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims are processed by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS), and there are two ways to file for unemployment:

• ONLINE
  You can file your new (initial) Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim online by going to the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System at www.jobs.state.nm.us. Computers are available at your local New Mexico Workforce Connection Centers and local libraries. Our UI Tax & Claims System is available to take initial claims and weekly certifications from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Friday. Please allow at least 30 minutes to file an online claim prior to system down time.
  
  All individuals applying for and receiving unemployment benefits are required to log into the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System (www.jobs.state.nm.us) first in order to access the UI Tax & Claims system. UI claimants will be required to maintain usernames and passwords for both the online jobs system (www.jobs.state.nm.us) and the UI Tax & Claims system.


• 1-877-664-6984 TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE
  You can also file by phone by calling 1-877-NM-4-MYUI (1-877-664-6984). After following the automated prompts, your call will be transferred to a Customer Service Agent (CSA) who will complete your claim. Our UI Operations Center is open 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.

PLEASE NOTE the following special instructions when filing your initial claim or completing your weekly certification:

• Initial Claims - Collect Employment Details
  • When asked "In the last 18 months, have you worked for a New Mexico employer?” - if you have only worked for the federal government, answer "No" to this question. Only answer "Yes" to this questions if you worked for a non-federal New Mexico employer (including federal contractors) in the last 18 months.
• Weekly Certification - Work Search
  • If asked "Have you completed your work search requirements?” - answer "No".
  • You will be given a fact-finding questionnaire. In the last option, state, "I am a furloughed federal employee" or "I am a furloughed employee of a federal contractor".
  • This will assist the UI Division in correctly identifying your situation and completing the work search waiver.
  • You will not be denied benefits for this week.
  • Once the work search waiver is granted, the work search question will no longer be asked when completing your weekly certification.

Effective January 9, 2019 Secretary Designate Bill McCamley issued an emergency provision to the Unemployment Insurance rule waiving the work search requirement for affected federal employees for up to 180 days. After you have applied for and have been determined eligible for benefits, a weekly certification must be filed for each week for which you are applying for benefits. You must submit your weekly certifications on time, and you can certify Sunday through Friday of each week.

PLEASE NOTE: The first eligible week of any new claim is a “waiting week.” You will not receive benefits for this week and it is not included in your weeks of payment. For eligible individuals, NMDWS issues most benefit payments within 14-21 days after a claim is filed. New Mexico will pay a maximum of 26 weeks of regular benefits.

Employees who receive unemployment benefits and also later receive a retroactive payment from their employer for the same time period, will be required to repay the UI benefits received.

Whether over the internet or by telephone, you will need the following information to file a new claim:

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Mailing address and phone number(s) of employer(s) you worked for in last 18 months
• The starting and ending dates of your last job (or jobs if more than one employer in last 18 months)
• If you are a non-citizen, have your alien registration number and expiration date
• If you worked during the week you are filing your claim, be sure you know the gross amount (total dollars and cents before any deductions) of your pay before filing.
• Pencil and paper to write down questions and instructions
• Furloughed Federal Employees must provide their recent Standard Form (SF)-50, an SF-8 (if issued), their most recent federal W-2 form, and recent federal earning and leave statements.

• New Mexico Gas Company
  Furloughed federal employees unable to make their gas payments can call 1-888-664-2726 and arrange a payment plan during the shutdown.
• PNM
  PNM will not disconnect any federal employee's service during the shutdown. Contact PNM about this service at www.pnm.com/web/pnm.com/contact-us or 888-342-5766.
• Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
  Local federal workers that have been furloughed will be allowed to defer their water bill payments without penalty while they are out of work. For more information, call 842-9287 and press “0” to speak to a customer service representative.
• Rio Rancho Utilities Payment Deferral
  The City of Rio Rancho has announced that federal workers furloughed during the government shutdown are allowed to defer their water/wastewater bill payments, without penalty, while they are out of work. In order to qualify, workers must present their furlough letter in person at the City of Rio Rancho Utilities Department at City Hall, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Utilities Department at (505) 891-5020 during regular business hours.
• MVD Express
  For all federal and contract workers affected by the current government shutdown, MVD Express will waive its convenience fee on vehicle registration renewal and/or driver's license renewal services for federal employees and their dependents until the shutdown concludes. MVD Express has a total of 11 locations across New Mexico with six offices in Albuquerque and one each in Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Roswell and Alamogordo. For appointments, location details and hours of operation, please visit mvdexpress.com. 

• City of Albuquerque
  The City of Albuquerque offers food pantries at four health and social service centers, open to the public while supplies last. Click here for more information.
• SNAP Benefits
  The shutdown has resulted in the SNAP program not receiving funds beyond January 31. The HSD is asking SNAP families supposed to receive January benefits to submit their renewal by January 15 in order to receive February benefits.There are several ways to renew SNAP benefits:
  • Drop off form at an Income Support Division office (click here for locations)
  • Fax form to 1-888-804-8960
  • Submit form online here.
• Storehouse New Mexico
  Storehouse New Mexico is ready to help families affected by the federal government shutdown. All they need o bring is a photo ID for adults and birth certificates for minors. Storehouse New Mexico is located at 106 Broadway Blvd SE, in downtown Albuquerque. A full calendar is available at www.thestorehouseabq.org. The organization is also in need of donations and volunteers.
• Albuquerque Public Schools
  Furloughed employees can now apply for reduced-price or free meals by filling out an online application. Click here for the application.
• McDonalds - Roswell and Artesia
  McDonalds locations in Roswell and Artesia will give affected employees a meal a day. Furloughed employees are asked to bring in a check stub showing $0 as their pay, and a team member will date the check for each day the come in. Free meals will continue for the foreseeable future.
• Piñon Coffee House
  Piñon Coffee House is offering a free regular drip coffee when federal employees show a photo ID or badge.
• Roadrunner Food Bank
  Download Roadrunner Food Bank's free app (at rrfb.org/apple or rrfb.org/googleplay) for:
  • Food assistance anywhere in New Mexico
  • A digital prescription discount card to reduce medication costs
  • Information on SNAP benefits
  • Other resources
  Visit www.rrfb.org for more information, including partner organizations and other services in your area.

• Bank of America
  The bank's Client Assistance Program is offering personalized financial assistance and can be reached at 844-219-0690. Click here for more information.
• Navy Federal Credit Union
  Impacted union members who have direct deposit of their government pay may be eligible for interest-free loans. Government contractors may be eligible if their direct deposit is received directly from the federal government and will be impacted by a government shutdown. Click here for more information.
• Nusenda Credit Union
  Several financial options are available to help both new and existing Nusenda members affected by this partial shutdown such as; Member Assistance Loans, Loan Payment Extensions, Savings-Secured Loans, and free tools for members and the public at-large that help manage spending and identify areas to assist in reducing expenses. Click here for more information.
• Rio Grande Credit Union
  For Federal employees, making ends meet during the Federal Government shutdown can be a challenge. Rio Grande Credit Union is here to help, with a Federal Employee Relief Loan, up to three-month extensions on current RGCU loans, and finanial coaches. Click here for more information.
• U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union
  In response to the prolonged shutdown of the Federal government, U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union has unveiled a loan to help impacted Federal government employees, offering a variety of options for varying needs of financial assistance. Click here for more information.
• U.S. Employees Credit Union
  Impacted union members who have direct deposit of their government pay may be eligible for interest-free loans. According to its website, the Government Shutdown Loan is to be “repaid in 60 days or when the government processes back pay, whichever is sooner.” Click here for more information.
• Wells Fargo
  The bank says it "will work with individuals and business banking customers whose income is disrupted as a result of the shutdown." Customers should call 1-800-TO-WELLS, or the number on their credit card, debit card or statement for assistance, or visit any Wells Fargo branch. Mortgage, loan, and credit customers may qualify for forbearance or other payment assistance programs based on their individual circumstances, the company posted on its website. Click here for more information.
• TrueConnect
  Many employees have no resources to respond to a financial crisis and no way to get a conventional loan. TrueConnect offers you an easy way to borrow money (with your employer’s help) and a responsible plan to pay it back. We help prevent predatory lenders from zeroing in on employees at their most vulnerable and turning their short term financial issue into a debilitating, long term one that ruins you financially and impacts your ability to work. Together, we can ease your burden financially, giving you peace of mind, allowing you to be a more engaged, more productive employee. Click here for more information.

• Verizon
  The company announced flexible payment options and a "Promise to Pay" program that can be set up in the My Verizon app or website. Further assistance is available by calling 866-266-1445.
• AT&T
  Customers affected by the shutdown are eligible for flexible payment options to keep service including cellphones, television and internet running. Make payment arrangements online at www.att.com.
• Sprint
  "Our Care reps will coordinate with qualified customers and our financial team to find a payment option that works and keep your service uninterrupted during the government shutdown," Sprint said in a statement. Impacted customers should call 888-211-4727 or do an online chat at www.sprint.com.
• T-Mobile
  Short-term account assistance can be tailored to meet the needs of customers who are federal workers, T-Mobile said, noting options include payment deferral and "flexible payment options" that allow customers to spread their service payments over time." The company is also offering support to government account customers. Customers can call T-Mobile Customer Care to discuss options at 611 from a T-Mobile device or 877-746-0909 from any phone. Click here for more information.

• City of Albuquerque
  The Albuquerque BioPark, the Albuquerque Museum, and the Balloon Museum will be offering free admission for federal employees and a guest. A federal ID is required.
• Meow Wolf
  Meow Wolf is offering free admission to employees, in addition to the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe. Click here for more information.
• IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
  The IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe is wanting to help those affected by the shutdown. Federal employees who present their photo ID or badge during the shutdown will get free admission for themselves as a guest. Click here for more information.
• Angel Fire Resort
  Angel Fire Resort is offering free lift tickets Monday-Friday to furloughed federal workers. All you need is your furlough notice letter and your federal ID.
• Explora
  Explora is offering free admission to furloughed federal employees. According to Explora's Facebook page, all you need to do is mention that you are on government furlough and enjoy FREE Admission for up to 4 people for the day. All additional guests will be charged general admission prices.
• New Mexico Highlands University
  New Mexico Highlands University is offering a free online geographic information systems class to furloughed federal employees beginning Jan. 16. The eight-week class is called Introduction to Geospatial Technology. Click here for more information.