Resources for (Illegally) Fired Public Lands Workers

Are you a National Park Service (NPS) employee affected by the Administration’s continued attack on our public lands? Thank you for your service to the American people, our public lands, and the preservation of the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. We’ve gathered resources you may need in the days and weeks to come. We’re here for you, and we will fight for your job to be reinstated. Join us. 

Since the Valentine’s Day massacre, several groups continue to put together resources for fired and displaced federal employees. Here’s one to get you started:

    • Forward it to your personal email immediately. 

    • Are you a union member? Contact your union and let them know you have received a RIF notice.  

    • Make sure you can log in to TSP and Employee Express using only your login.gov account. You MUST change this before you lose access to your NPS email.

    • Download your entire eOPF.

    • Save or print out any awards, performance information, or training certificates that may not be in eOPF.

    • From Employee Express, make sure to have up to 18 months of paystubs, your employee benefits statement, and your last two W-2 forms (if applicable). 

    • Any and all information about your benefits, including your user names, phone numbers, etc. 

    • Contact information for NPS HR and Benefits.

    • If you are enrolled in the Federal Employees' Health Benefit Program (FEHBP), your health benefits will be terminated at the end of the pay period in which you separate. Coverage under your enrollment will continue temporarily for 31 days from the date your FEHB enrollment terminates.

    • If you have an FSA account, you will no longer be able to submit claims for expenses incurred after your termination date. You can submit claims after your termination date, but they must be for appointments or items purchased on or before your termination date.

    • Each state treats severance pay differently, and will impact when you can receive unemployment benefits. 

    • Unemployment claims are made through your state. Find your state here: https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/find-unemployment-benefits.aspx

    • To submit an unemployment claim, you will need your last SF-50, W-2 from 2024, DOI’s SF-08, and a selection of paystubs (will depend state-by-state). 

    • Apply as soon as you are able to do so and be prepared: it may be several weeks before you will receive your first unemployment payment.

    • If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, text or call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or the Crisis Text Line. 

    • You can also use the DOI Employee Assistance Program to access mental health support: https://www.doi.gov/pmb/hr/eap