If your employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and you are not eligible for state unemployment insurance benefits, you may be eligible under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program.

The DUA program is administered by state agencies, in accordance with federal law.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available only in areas where a major disaster has been declared by the President. The state will process applications, determine eligibility, and pay benefits to eligible individuals.

What information you may need before applying.

When you apply for DUA benefits, the state typically asks for information about your recent work history.

This generally includes:

• Information to verify your identity,
• Names and address of recent employers,
• Dates of employment, and/or self-employment, and
• Disaster related information that caused the unemployment.

Providing complete and accurate information helps prevent delays in processing your claim.

Important to know

• All individuals have the right to apply for unemployment insurance benefits.
• Disaster unemployment assistance is available only for Presidentially- declared disasters and only for individuals who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
• Eligibility is determined by the state agency after you apply.

The unemployment.gov website does not determine eligibility for benefits.