Feb 27, 2025

Why many government workers aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Many workers who had contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development are classified as independent contractors and are ineligible for unemployment.

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Trump's Second Term

Many laid-off government workers aren't eligible for unemployment

by David Brancaccio and Nancy Marshall-Genzer

Feb 27, 2025

Some workers impacted by government cuts are independent contractors who have canceled contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Demonstrators gather outside of the Office of Personnel Management on Feb. 7, to protest federal layoffs.

Bryan Dozier/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

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Los Angeles Wildfires

LA fires spur economic hardship for migrant workers

by Erika Soderstrom and Ariana Rosas

Feb 27, 2025

Despite the personal and economic toll of the LA fires, migrant workers have mobilized to help their communities.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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The team

David Brancaccio Host

Leanna Byrne Host, BBC

Kelly Silvera Executive Producer

Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer

Alex Schroeder Producer

Erika Soderstrom Producer

Ariana Rosas Producer

Nic Perez Director/Producer

Dylan Miettinen Digital Producer

John Bruington Media Producer

Jesson Duller Media Producer

Brian Allison Technical Director

James Graham Producer, BBC

Jo Critcher Producer, BBC

Naomi Rainey Producer, BBC

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