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After Official Separation

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Your official separation date is the date on your RIF/separation notice. After this date, your administrative leave ends, and you are no longer considered an employee.  Everything changes significantly after administrative leave is over.

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DOWNLOAD THE COMPREHENSIVE Separation RIF GuidE

MSPB Appeals

If you were separated on August 18, 2025, you have until September 17, 2025, to file your individual MSPB appeal. Separated CDC employees are working with a variety of law firms, including (but not limited to):

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  • Federal Practice Group

  • Gilbert (Note: They are no longer accepting new clients)

  • Legal Justice at Work

  • Burakiewicz & DePriest

     

While we do not endorse any specific option, we do encourage seeking legal representation to ensure a united and consolidated approach with your unit as you file your appeals. Securing legal representation is a personal decision. If you choose to pursue an MSPB appeal with legal support, here are two firms currently accepting clients:

 

Legal Justice at Work

One-time, flat fee of $500.

Complete the intake and inquiry form.

Note: After you fill out the intake form, you will be emailed a link to upload documents and another link to pay the fee.

 

Burakiewicz & DePriest

Fee structure depends on the number of clients retained.

Please contact your branch or office’s legal POC* for more details.

Complete the intake form.

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*Most RIF offices at CDC have a legal POC who can provide you with information about these different legal representation options and any coordination happening within offices. If you do not know your legal POC, please contact legal@firedbutfighting.org.

MSPB Appeal Workshops

If you decide to file pro se (on your own), Fired but Fighting and 27 uNIHted are hosting MSPB Appeals Workshops to guide you through the process:

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  • Wednesday, August 27 · 5:30 pm–8:00 pm

    (Tonight’s session is focused on Department of Education employees, but CDC folks are welcome. Please prioritize general questions.)

  • Friday, September 5 · 5:30 pm–8:00 pm

  • Saturday, September 13 · 4:00 pm–6:30 pm

  • Monday, September 15 · 5:30 pm–8:00 pm

     

Sign up for workshops.

 

Tully Rinckey is providing webinars on filing your appeal and managing discovery and the hearing.

 

2883 members filing pro se (without attorney representation): If you would like to designate a representative for your appeal, you may list Yolanda Jacobs (localpresident@afge2883ga.org) as your representative in your filing.

Annual Leave Payment

Your annual leave payment will come in a lump sum within 2 to 3 pay periods (approximately 4 to 6 weeks) after your effective date of separation​.

 

Severance

After your official separation date, severance payments will begin if you are eligible, arriving on a biweekly basis. The length of time you will receive severance payments depends on several factors (e.g., your age and length of Creditable Civilian Service time). Note: terminated probationary employees who were eligible for severance had major delays in receiving their severance payments.

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You can calculate your severance timeline with the OPM Severance calculator here: Severance Pay Estimation Worksheet.

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Although you are still receiving biweekly deposits, it is imperative to understand these payments are wholly and entirely different than your regular paychecks.

 

Ineligible for severance:

  • If you are eligible for any type of retirement, you are NOT eligible for severance.

  • Title 42s are NOT eligible for severance.

 

Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits can only be collected after your official separation date. However, the preparation and processing of your application may take some time. You may wish to begin your application right away. Each state has their own process and deadlines:  

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  1. After your official separation date, you will be eligible for state unemployment benefits. RIF separations generally qualify as no-fault terminations for unemployment purposes.   

  2. Prepare to apply for Unemployment Benefits—benefits are not retroactive, so ensure you apply as soon as possible. Visit your state’s Unemployment website now and familiarize yourself with the application process. 

    • In some states, you may submit an application immediately. In others, you must wait until the separation date

    • Gather all the required documents listed on the site (e.g., your SF-50 showing RIF separation). 

  3. Have your completed application ready to submit as soon as eligible. 

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Health Insurance

  • Vision and dental insurance stops on separation date

  • Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) ends on the last day of the pay period in which you separate.

    • A 31-day temporary extension of coverage is provided at no cost. You may:

      • Convert to a non-group plan through your FEHB provider 

      • Continue coverage under Temporary Continuance of Coverage (TCC) for up to 18 months (paying full premium + 2% admin fee)

      • Explore health insurance marketplace options at Healthcare.gov

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More resources and guidance for separated employees can be found on our Resource Hub.

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