Furloughed TSA agents eligible for unemployment benefits

Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Mar 16, 2026

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LAS VEGAS — Harry Reid International Airport’s Transportation Security Administration agents, who haven’t been paid in a month because of the partial government shutdown, can file for state unemployment insurance benefits.

But TSA agents would have to pay back any benefits they receive once they are reimbursed their back pay. The agents, who handle passenger security screenings, haven’t received a paycheck since the Feb. 14 start of the shutdown, and the lack of pay is causing increased numbers to quit or take unscheduled leave.

“Furloughed federal employees are encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits during the shutdown,” the Nevada DETR website says. “Those with reduced hours or working without pay are also potentially eligible for partial or full benefits. Federal contractors may be eligible depending on the terms of their employment and loss of income.”

The Senate in February failed to pass a House-approved spending bill to finance operations of the Department of Homeland Security as Senate Democrats seek concessions on policy changes in the operation of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Specifically, senators say ICE agents should have identification and be prohibited from wearing masks when undertaking enforcement.

TSA agents as well as the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Secret Service are funded by Homeland Security resulting in them not being paid during the temporary shutdown.

So far, there have been no major flight delays at Reid resulting from staffing shortages, but thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed because of shortages occurring at other airports nationwide.

Affected federal employees can apply for benefits at the agency’s nui.nv.gov website.

A DETR representative explained how unemployment benefits are calculated, and they’re no different for federal employees than for any other claimant.

“Benefit eligibility and the weekly benefit amount are based on wages earned during the claimant’s base period, which is generally the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the claim is filed,” said Valentina Bonaparte, communications director for DETR in Carson City. “The weekly benefit amount is calculated from the claimant’s highest quarter of earnings, up to the maximum weekly benefit amount established under Nevada law.”

Bonaparte said some federal employees applied for benefits five months ago during the lengthy 2025 shutdown, but she did not disclose how many applied.

The longest federal government shutdown in history began Oct. 1, lasted 43 days and resulted in flight delays at airports across the country as some TSA and FAA workers didn’t report to work when not paid.

The press secretary to U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said the senator is focusing on resolving the funding stalemate. The federal government doesn’t have jurisdiction over DETR.

“Sen. Cortez Masto is focused on doing what she can in Washington to ensure that the majority of DHS is funded,” press secretary Arturo Gutierrez wrote in a Monday email to the Review-Journal. “She has repeatedly voted to pass full-year funding for TSA, the Coast Guard, FEMA and the Secret Service while Congress continues to negotiate on critical guardrails on ICE and CBP separately. She will continue to fight to deliver a paycheck to TSA employees and urges her Republican colleagues to stop blocking these attempts.”

The office of Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., could not be reached for comment Monday.

Federal employees who receive benefits will be notified by DETR that they are required to pay it back once they receive their back pay. The notification will include the exact amount owed, the weeks included in in the overpayment, why repayment is required and how to set up a payment plan.

Employees who fail to pay back what they owe DETR may face a federal tax refund offset, deduction of future unemployment insurance benefits or through other debt collection actions.

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