As the government shutdown drags on, federal workers have been laid off, furloughed or are required to work without pay. Unemployment benefits are available for some of those cases.

Denver

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has resulted in thousands of federal workers being furloughed or laid off, creating financial challenges for many families. Furloughed employees are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits, but must repay the full pre-tax amount once they receive back pay after the shutdown ends. Laid-off workers, on the other hand, can also apply for benefits and are not required to repay them. Essential federal employees who continue to work without pay are not eligible for unemployment benefits. The application process can take four to six weeks, and applicants are advised to follow specific guidelines provided by the state labor department.

Who is eligible for unemployment benefits during the shutdown?

All right, what is already now the third longest government shutdown in U.S. history will extend into next week. Senators adjourned until Monday and there's no deal to reopen the government. Right now, thousands of federal workers are either furloughed or working without pay. Others have been laid off by the Trump administration, and so many families already are feeling the pinch of this shutdown financially. Furloughed workers should get back pay after the shutdown ends, but of course that does little to help expenses right now, and there can be a lot of confusion about if these furloughed workers are eligible for unemployment benefits to help them get by. Number sevens, Daniel Croyder sat in with experts from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment about this exact issue. So Danielle, you can apply for unemployment if you've been furloughed, but there is a but here. Yeah, there is a catch. Shannon, you do have to pay back those unemployment funds as soon as you get your back pay, so we wanted to break it down for you because it's a little different. So first, let's get a look at if you are currently furloughed. On your application there will be a new box that says you're out of work, specifically because of the federal government shutdown. You'll want to check that box. Then for the reason for separation, you would click the layoff option. Even though you're being furloughed, it'll then ask to be given a return to work date, which obviously no one knows. Right now, so the state is telling folks to enter in January 5th, 2026. Since you technically still have your job, you do not need to search for a job to receive unemployment. Once you get your back pay though, you do have to pay back the entire pre tax amount you received from unemployment. You will be able to claim some of that on your tax returns later. Now, what if you were initially furloughed but then were laid off? The process would look the same. Initially, however, you would not have a return to work date. You would then have to search for work to receive benefits, but in this instance you would not need to pay back your benefits after being laid off. There is a lot more tough news in all of this. The state says they were specifically recommended by the federal government. To not give unemployment benefits to current employees. So if you're one of those essential federal employees working without pay, you're unfortunately not eligible for unemployment. The Department of Labor says you can't apply before you're furloughed or laid off, but really you should apply as soon as that is a reality. It unfortunately still takes them four to six weeks to make a decision on your application. We know this was a lot of information, so I put it all together for you. With links to additional information, best practices to make sure your application process is as efficient as possible and the other requirements you might need while applying. Head to denver7.com and look for that story. The state will be holding another virtual town hall next Wednesday to answer more of your questions.

The Trump administration is awaiting word from the Supreme Court after asking it to allow the immediate deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. A lower court blocked the move.

Portland

Tensions rising in Portland, Oregon over immigration tactics

President Trump posted a video of a U.S. military strike on a submersible suspected of smuggling drugs. Two people were killed in the strike but the survivors were brought to a Navy ship. Trump says the U.S. will send the them back to their home countries for prosecution.

Washington

Trump says survivors of U.S. drug submersible will be sent home

The U.S. State Department issued a warning that Hamas appeared to be planning an attack 'against Palestinian civilians,' warning that such an attack would 'constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement'.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

State Dept. flags ceasefire violation by Hamas

Britain's Prince Andrew said on Friday he would give up using his title of Duke of York following years of criticism about his behavior and connections to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Windsor

Prince Andrew gives up title of Duke of York

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy came to the White House on Friday looking for weapons to keep fighting his country's war with Russia, but met an American president who appears more intent on brokering a peace deal than upgrading Kyiv’s arsenal.

Ukraine Invasion

Trump pauses on sending Tomahawks to Ukraine

Tension is rising between the U.S and Venezuela. The latest threats from the US warning of stronger measures against Nicolas Maduro’s government — have sparked both fear and fragile hope across Venezuela.

Caracas

Venezuela on high-alert amid U.S strikes

In the aftermath of a destructive Typhoon Halong, historic floodwaters have destroyed remote communities across western Alaska, forcing hundreds of evacuations that could continue for days.

Kipnuk

Mass evacuations in Alaska after record floodwaters

Mr. Trump seemed open to trading U.S.-made Tomahawk's for Ukrainian-made drones, but then he argued Ukraine might not even need new weapons if he can broker a swift end to the invasion.

Trump says he'd rather broker peace than send Tomahawks to Ukraine

President Trump announced that he has commuted former New York Rep. George Santos' sentence on Friday in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

President Trump commutes George Santos' sentence

The head of the World Trade Organization said on Thursday (October 16) she is urging the U.S. and China to de-escalate trade tensions, warning that a decoupling between the world's two largest economies could reduce global economic output by 7% over the longer-term.

WTO urges U.S., China to ease trade war or risk global growth

John Bolton pleaded not guilty at a Maryland federal court on Friday (October 17). This comes after the former Trump administration national security adviser was indicted on 18 counts for his alleged mishandling of classified information.

Greenbelt

John Bolton pleads not guilty to criminal charges

Buckingham Palace announced Friday that Prince Andrew is giving up his royal titles. This comes after a posthumous memoir by Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre emerged.

London

Prince Andrew giving up his royal titles, Buckingham Palace says

U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Friday as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues. On Thursday, Trump spent more than two hours on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump set to meet with Zelenskyy

Ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Trump cast doubt on supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, citing U.S. stock concerns. He also discussed the issue with Russian President Putin, who opposed the idea, raising questions about future Ukraine aid.

Trump questions sending Tomahawks to Ukraine after Putin call

At least one person was killed and dozens of police officers injured in widespread protests overnight in Peru against President Jose Jeri, who assumed power just days ago. The government will declare a state of emergency in Lima within hours and is preparing a package of measures to tackle rising insecurity.

Lima

Peru to impose state of emergency after violent clashes

The espionage case against Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash collapsed after government officials refused to testify under oath that China posed a threat to national security.

MI5 chief warns China a ‘daily threat’ after spy case collapse

NATO is increasing its capabilities on its eastern flank after recent Russian drone incursions. At the same time the EU has announced a major defence policy roadmap aimed at deterring threats from Russia.

Šiauliai

NATO, EU step up defences to deter Russia

The U.S. military flew three B-52 bombers on missions near the coast of Venezuela, according to a Global Strike Command spokesperson and a U.S. official, as the Trump administration continues to exert pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government.

U.S. flies B-52 bombers off the coast of Venezuela

A federal judge overturned a Homeland Security decision to cut anti-terrorism funding for New York City. The ruling comes as the Trump administration faces lawsuits from Democratic governors over similar cuts.

New York

Judge blocks Trump cuts to New York City's anti-terrorism funds

China has accused the U.S. of stoking panic over its rare earth controls and said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had made "grossly distorted" remarks about a top Chinese trade negotiator, rejecting a White House call to roll back the curbs.

Beijing

Global Tariffs

China blames U.S. for global panic over rare earths controls

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he had a "productive" phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced plans for a meeting with Putin in Hungary.

Trump says he plans to meet with Putin in Hungary

Israel said it was preparing for the reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt but set no date as it traded blame with Hamas over violations of the ceasefire. A row over the return of bodies of hostages from Gaza retains the potential to upend the truce.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu says fight with Hamas 'not over yet'

Tumultuous scenes unfolded during the public viewing of late Kenyan Prime Minister Ralia Odinga's body. The 80-year-old's coffin was on its way to a Nairobi stadium when security forces fired tear gas and gunshots into the crowds. At least two people have reportedly been killed.

Nairobi

Kenyan police open fire at mourners at Odinga public viewing

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday after airstrikes and ground fighting ramped up tensions between the South Asian neighbors, leaving more than a dozen civilians dead and 100 wounded.

Balochistan

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree temporary truce after fresh fighting

U.S. President Trump confirmed CIA covert operations in Venezuela during a press conference in the Oval Office on Wednesday. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe asked Trump about what that means for Nicolás Maduro.

Trump authorizes CIA covert operations in Venezuela

Israel is still limiting the number of aid trucks allowed to enter Gaza nearly a week after a ceasefire deal was agreed. It’s told the United Nations will only allow 300 per day - that's half the minimum number agreed under the truce.
The UN says even 600 trucks entering daily would not be enough to meet the needs of the population.

Gaza ceasefire fears as Israel limits aid trucks to less than agreed

President Trump confirmed that he has authorised the CIA to go into Venezuela and conduct covert operations.

Trump says he authorised covert CIA operations in Venezuela

Hamas is back on the streets of Gaza in an attempt, it says, to restore law and order -- and to send a message.

Hamas executes Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel

A federal judge in Oregon has extended temporary restraining orders that block the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland. Meanwhile, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas to disperse a crowd after a car chase ended in a crash.

Chicago

Federal agents deploy tear gas in Chicago despite court order

A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily ordered the Trump administration to halt the firing of workers during the government shutdown.

Breakdown