Individuals FAQs - Disaster-Related Benefits

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a federal unemployment assistance program that provides compensation for individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster but who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance (UI). A major disaster is a natural catastrophe such as a severe storm, hurricane, tornado, straight-line winds, and associated flooding that resulted in a Presidential Declaration of a disaster. A Presidential Declaration is made when it is determined governmental assistance is needed for communities and individuals directly affected by the disaster.

Any individual who is unemployed as a direct result of a declared disaster may apply for DUA. This includes self-employed business people, farmers, loggers, commissioned-paid employees, and others whose unemployment occurred as a direct result of a declared disaster but are not eligible for the state's regular unemployment insurance program.

To apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits, you must first file a regular state unemployment insurance (UI) claim. Only those who are found ineligible for regular UI benefits can be considered eligible for DUA. After you file, you'll receive a written notice about your eligibility for regular state UI benefits. If you're denied, GDOL will give you clear instructions on how to file a DUA application including the required documents you must submit.

Individuals eligible to receive regular state UI are not eligible to receive DUA until all UI benefits have been exhausted and they are still unemployed because of the disaster. Self-employed, farmers, and other individuals who are generally not eligible for UI may be eligible to receive DUA.

Yes. Your eligibility for regular UI must be determined prior to filing and establishing a DUA claim.

The DUA claim must be filed within 60 days of the Presidential Disaster Declaration date.

You should still apply for DUA benefits. A Notice of Determination of Entitlement (DUA-2) and Notice of Determination of Entitlement (DUA-2A) must be issued with appeal rights on all claims filed, even if filed after the deadline.

Yes. You must first file a regular state unemployment claim and be determined not eligible. Once you file a DUA application, you must provide proof of income within 21 calendar days from the date you file your claim. Self-employed individuals must complete the Supplement to Application for DUA Self-Employed Individuals (Form DUA-1A).

If you have a definite return-to-work date within six (6) weeks of the Presidential Disaster Declaration, you do not need to perform a work search. If you do not have a scheduled return-to-work date, you must actively search for work and submit proof of verifiable work search activities on three or more days each week a payment is requested.

If you were self-employed prior to the disaster, you are considered available for work as long as you are engaged in activities solely for the purpose of resuming your self-employment.

You may be eligible under such circumstances. You must first file a regular state unemployment claim. If you are not eligible and file a DUA claim, you must provide a statement from the employer that shows the date you were to begin employment or return to work.

The GDOL will process and review your claim to determine if you are eligible to receive DUA benefits.

If you are now the major support of the household because the head of household died as a direct result of the disaster, you may be eligible for DUA. You must show you are related to the head of household by blood, marriage, adoption, or other legal arrangement and shared the same residence. Additionally, you must show the deceased head of household provided one-half or more of the household income or means of livelihood during the base period through employment or self-employment.

DUA benefits are subject to federal and state tax. Individuals may elect to have federal and/or state taxes deducted from their DUA payments. Individuals will receive IRS Form 1099-G to file with their income tax return.