Guess what: Furloughed federal workers will be eligible for unemployment pay

How much, and how quickly, depends on the state.

In Maryland you qualify for unemployment from the first day of a shutdown, and could get a maximum of $430 a week.

In Virginia and D.C., you qualify after you’ve been out of work a week. The top benefit is $359 in the District.

In Virginia the top benefit is $378.

Federal workers in West Virginia also would qualify. The maximum weekly benefit in West Virginia is $424.

If they end up getting back pay after the shutdown, they’ll have to pay back any unemployment payments they got.