With government shutdown looming, federal workers face potential unemployment

JACKSON, Tenn. — If the government shuts down, many federal employees could be filing for unemployment.

Congress needs to come to an agreement to avoid this.

Federal workers across the country could be furloughed for days or even weeks.

Michele Evermore, a Senior Fellow at the National Academy of Social Insurance, tells us that tens of thousands of people in Tennessee could be affected.

She was able to give us some information about unemployment benefits in our state.

“In Tennessee, unfortunately, the maximum weekly benefit for unemployment insurance is $275 a week. Which isn’t going to get folks very far,” Evermore said. “So, even for people who are furloughed and apply for benefits and get them.”

If an agreement is not made, the shutdown would begin just after midnight tonight.

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