Disaster Unemployment Assistance might be or soon might be available for eligible employees and self-employed individuals who’ve recently lost their jobs or income, because of damage caused by a severe storm, tornado, flood or wind.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a special program funded by the federal government that becomes active, if required, after the President of the United States has declared one or more major disaster areas. In order for federal DUA to become available in a declared area, the affected state must first request the funds from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Since July 31 2009, President Obama has declared disaster areas in the following states because of severe storms, tornadoes, flooding or straight-line winds. See Major Disaster Declarations at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Web site for disaster areas declared after this blog was published or before July 31 2009.
| Georgia Iowa |
Kansas Kentucky Nebraska |
New York Tennessee |
President Obama has also declared disaster areas in American Samoa, because of the earthquake-triggered tsunami (tidal wave) that caused devastating flooding. In reply to this writer’s email regarding Disaster Unemployment Assistance, the U.S. Office of Unemployment Insurance said that the American Samoa Department of Human Resources will announce DUA availability via news media and its Web site. Visit the American Samoa Government Web site for information about other disaster assistance.
Employees who’ve lost their jobs as a direct result of the disasters in the declared areas might be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, if not eligible for standard state unemployment benefits or extended unemployment benefits. Because self-employed individuals typically aren’t eligible for either standard or extended benefits, DUA also covers self-employed individuals who have lost income due to a disaster and meet the other eligibility requirements.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits are similar to those of standard state unemployment benefits and subsequently, are determined according to each state’s unemployment insurance regulations. To file a claim for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (or standard or extended benefits), contact the nearest branch of the state unemployment office, such as a full-service One-Stop Career Center.
Don’t delay for long in filing your DUA claim, as the window is typically open for only 30 days after DUA becomes available; but, it usually takes time for it to become available after the president declares a disaster area. Additionally, states typically extend the filing deadline if damage is severe, or some local unemployment offices or One-Stop Career Centers are closed due to damage. So, even if more than 30 days have come and gone since the disaster declaration, you still might have time to file.
To apply for other disaster assistance due to a severe storm, tornado, flood or wind, see Apply for Assistance at FEMA or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster victims who have speech or hearing impairments may instead call 1-800-462-7585 through their TTY devices.
Beware of scams! Con artists crawl out their dark and slimy places after disasters, to exploit victims by charging bogus fees for filing Disaster Unemployment Assistance claims. Filing a claim for DUA is always free, as is filing a claim for standard or extended unemployment benefits. Never pay a fee, no matter how “governmentally official” or unsuspecting the so-called “offer” appears to be. There are several other disaster recovery scams to avoid too.
If you have limited means and need legal assistance as a victim of disaster or a related scam, some local lawyers volunteer to help victims by charging no fees or only small fees. A free lawyer referral service might be able to help you find one, as might a non-profit legal-aid organization in your state.
