DHS providing furloughed FEMA staff with unemployment resources amid shutdown

The Department of Homeland Security is directing furloughed FEMA employees to apply for unemployment benefits during the ongoing government shutdown, according to internal documents obtained by ABC News. FEMA, which falls under DHS oversight, has staff members who are not working due to the federal funding lapse that has shuttered non-essential government operations. The move signals that the shutdown's impact is extending to the federal emergency management agency responsible for coordinating disaster response across the United States. Federal employees typically receive back pay after shutdowns end, but unemployment benefits can provide immediate financial relief during the funding gap. The guidance reflects the administration's effort to help affected workers navigate the financial uncertainty created by the government closure.