I go back to the fact that Federal contractors are much more carefully monitored than the regular employer. They could check this out for temselves very easily and could, if they were so inclined, actually provide you with the partial unemployment insurance form without termination. But they don't have to, you can file for yourself, without even asking them or clearing this with them in any way.
If this yahoo is telling you that you have to be terminated,BECAUSE you have filed for temporary unemployment insurance, this is almost retaliation. It appears they are trying to terminate you anyhow and were looking for an excuse. Ask them if this is the case. Be sure to emphasize that you expect full recall as soon as the contract is renegotiated. But it doesn't have to be this way. You can most definitely file for temporary or "partial" or temporary unemployment without being separated from the employer. When you're looking at the laws and information about your state, be sure you look for the term "partial" unemployment benefits. Or you can call the unemployment system in your state, and ask a general question.