Special Unemployment Compensation Programs Special Unemployment Compensation Programs If you've lost your job and fall into one of the following categories, you may be covered under a special unemployment compensation program: Federal employees Ex-servicemembers, based on active duty service Individuals who can no longer work as a result of a natural disaster but who do not qualify for regular state or federal unemployment benefits Individuals who were laid off or had their hours reduced because their employer was adversely affected by increased imports from other countries (special weekly benefits may be payable only after regular unemployment benefits have been exhausted)