New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions > Unemployment Insurance > UI Information

Information for Furloughed Federal Employees in New Mexico

During a government shutdown, employees who are not required to work under one of the exceptions of national defense, law enforcement, or other activities directly involved with the protection of life and property are furloughed, that is, placed in a non-pay, non-duty status, until the shutdown ends. In the event of a Federal Government Shutdown, Federal employees may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance.

Federal Employees Fact Sheet - PDF

Hoja Informativa para Empleados Federales - PDF

ETA 935 Claimants Affidavit of Federal Civilian Service - PDF

Unemployment Insurance Information

Am I eligible to apply for unemployment benefits?

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.

How do I file an unemployment claim?

Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims are processed by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS). There are two ways to file:

ONLINE
You may file your new (initial) Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim online by going to the New Mexico Jobs at www.jobs.state.nm.us. Computers are available at your local America's Job Center New Mexico and local libraries. The UI Tax & Claims System is available to take initial claims and weekly certifications anytime, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

All individuals applying for and receiving unemployment benefits are required to log into the New Mexico Jobs (www.jobs.state.nm.us) first in order to access the UI Tax & Claims system.

1-877-664-6984 TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE
You may also file by phone by calling 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. The 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.

How soon will benefits begin to be paid, and how long do benefits last?

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 by certifying online Sunday through Saturday or by phone Monday 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.

What will happen if Federal employees are paid for time during the shutdown period?

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 Department for the UI benefits received.

Information Needed to File Your Claim

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.
a Claimant's Affidavit of Federal Civilian Service, Wages and Reason for Separation, ETA-935 form.

What do I do with my UI benefits when the federal government has reopened, and I returned to work?

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. 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 Department for the UI benefits received.

What if I receive an overpayment for the unemployment insurance benefits I received?

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 Department for the UI benefits received.

How do I make arrangements to repay the unemployment benefits now that I’ve returned to work?

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 Statement of Account letter to make a payment or call the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at 1-877-664-6984 to set up a payment arrangement.

Will my overpayment include any taxes I chose to withhold from my weekly benefit amount?

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

Will my dependent allowance received be included in my overpayment?

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

How soon will I have to pay back the Department for my overpayment, and do I have to pay all at once?

To avoid any collection activities, the Department encourages the payment of 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.

How do I make a payment?

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.

What if there is another government shutdown?

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 Jobs 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.

What if I don’t have the “Reopen” link when I access my account online?

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.

Additional Resources & Assistance

The lists below will be updated as information becomes available.

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Federal Government Shutdown Information

Information for Furloughed Federal Employees in New Mexico

Unemployment Insurance Information

Am I eligible to apply for unemployment benefits?

How do I file an unemployment claim?

How soon will benefits begin to be paid, and how long do benefits last?

What will happen if Federal employees are paid for time during the shutdown period?

Information Needed to File Your Claim

What do I do with my UI benefits when the federal government has reopened, and I returned to work?

What if I receive an overpayment for the unemployment insurance benefits I received?

How do I make arrangements to repay the unemployment benefits now that I’ve returned to work?

Will my overpayment include any taxes I chose to withhold from my weekly benefit amount?

Will my dependent allowance received be included in my overpayment?

How soon will I have to pay back the Department for my overpayment, and do I have to pay all at once?

How do I make a payment?

What if there is another government shutdown?

What if I don’t have the “Reopen” link when I access my account online?

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