Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a federal program that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals who become unemployed or partially unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster.
The program is administered by the United States Department of Labor and is available to eligible individuals who are not eligible for regular state unemployment insurance benefits.
To be eligible for DUA, an individual must meet the following criteria:
- Be unemployed or partially unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster.
- Not be eligible for regular state unemployment insurance benefits.
- Be able and available to work, unless they are unable to do so due to injury caused by the disaster.
- File a timely application for DUA benefits.
The amount of DUA benefits is calculated based on the individual’s previous earnings and can be up to the maximum weekly benefit amount allowed in the state where the disaster occurred.
To apply for DUA, individuals should contact their state’s unemployment insurance agency or disaster recovery center. They will need to provide documentation of their previous earnings, as well as documentation of their unemployment or partial unemployment as a result of the disaster.
It’s important to note that DUA is only available in areas that have been designated as disaster areas by the federal government. The program is typically available for a limited time following the disaster and may be extended if necessary.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United states. Before an individual can be determined eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, it must be established that the individual is not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or federal law). The program is administered by states as agents of the federal government.
I was wanting to know if I was eligible to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance if I never received unemployment before but applied for unemployment.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. Please visit your local unemployment office or state website for information and apply if your situation qualifies for benefits.
Eligibility
When a major disaster has been declared by the President, DUA is generally available to any unemployed worker or self-employed individual who lived, worked, or was scheduled to work in the disaster area at the time of the disaster; and due to the disaster:
no longer has a job or a place to work; or
cannot reach the place of work; or
cannot work due to damage to the place of work; or
cannot work because of an injury caused by the disaster.
An individual who becomes the head of household and is seeking work because the former head of household died as a result of the disaster may also qualify for DUA benefits.