Connor Phillips, 25, told a crowd at a rally for federal workers that he’s losing his unpaid research training position at the National Institutes of Health, where he studies therapies for children with cerebral palsy. Phillips, who has benefited from cerebral palsy treatment, attended the rally outside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 19, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
As layoffs from the federal government have upended the lives of thousands of individuals across the country, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, also known as LEO, has collected a list of resources to help them find new opportunities.
By visiting Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp federal workers who lost their jobs can find assistance in seeking unemployment benefits, career services, alongside listings for jobs in both the public and private sectors.
“Federal workers who reside in Michigan and have been impacted by recent layoffs can tap into our resources to ensure they have what they need at this time,” LEO Director Susan Corbin said in a statement. “Our department is working to ensure laid off federal workers can access services – including filing for unemployment and searching for a new job – to help them on a pathway to new opportunities and a brighter future in Michigan.”
With the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency cutting thousands of jobs, governors in several states, including Hawaii, New Mexico, New York, Maryland and Virginia, are encouraging federal workers to fill vacancies in their own governments.
A coalition of 20 state attorneys general is also challenging the Trump administration’s decision to lay off roughly 24,000 probationary government employees, with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel calling the firings illegal and are “likely to cripple important federal initiatives throughout the country and in Michigan.”
Alongside offering a six-step roadmap on applying for federal unemployment benefits the site also includes a link to schedule coaching sessions to assist in the claims process alongside a link to schedule an appointment with the unemployment agency to meet by phone, in person or virtually.
Federal employees left without work can seek career services through Michigan Works! agencies by calling 800-285-9675. The site also lists resources for adult education, including information on the Michigan Reconnect program which provides individuals 25 or older without a degree access to tuition-free community college to facilities in their district and large discounts when attending community college outside of their district.
Additionally, the site lists resources for food and housing assistance, transportation resources and job readiness resources for those returning to work.
The Department also provides the link to both the state’s list of open jobs, as well as a link to Pure Michigan Talent Connect, a database aiming to connect job seekers with employers.
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