Internal Revenue Services (IRS) employee Matt Westrich speaks in front of the Federal building at a rally against the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown, in Ogden, Utah, U.S., January 10, 2019.

As the government shutdown continues and federal workers face the possibility of another missed paycheck, many may file for unemployment benefits to help cover housing costs, groceries and other necessities. Earlier in January, CNBC reported that more than 4,700 federal employees filed for unemployment in the last week of December, compared with 929 the week prior, according to the Department of Labor. But this modest relief comes with a few strings.

Only some government workers are eligible

Only workers who have been furloughed, or deemed nonessential to their departments, can actually apply for unemployment benefits. Employees who are "excepted" — meaning they must continue performing their typical job duties without compensation until the shutdown ends — are ineligible to receive unemployment benefits, as they are entitled to payment for the hours they've worked. On Wednesday, Jan. 16, President Donald Trump signed legislation that guaranteed all furloughed workers would be paid once the government reopens. The bill also mandates that employees in the same situation in possible future shutdowns will also get back pay. The House and Senate cleared the bill last week. It does not specifically state when employees will see any money, only that they will be paid as soon as possible once the shutdown ends.

Once back pay is received, unemployment must be repaid