The layoffs rolling through federal agencies nationwide are putting those workers on the state’s unemployment rolls. 

The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) reported that it is seeing an increase in claims from federal employees. So far in 2025, 650 federal workers have filed unemployment claims, compared to 479 during that same period in 2024. 

“We are ready to assist federal employees in these trying and uncertain times,” said ESD Commissioner Cami Feek in a release. “Whether they are applying for unemployment benefits or need assistance in finding a new job, we’re here to help.”  

The layoffs are part of efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, to reduce federal spending. 

The U.S. Department of Energy recently cut a handful of its staff at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and about two dozen were cut from its Hanford site office, according to reports from federal lawmakers. 

Hundreds of workers, including linemen, engineers and power dispatchers, were laid off at the Bonneville Power Administration, though 30 of those staff have since been asked to return due to their “mission critical” roles. 

Washington state has about 76,000 federal employees.