DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Severe storms have led to several states offering Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Benefits for impacted workers’ and we expect more states and counties will become eligible for DUA benefits in the aftermath.
As a reminder, DUA is an unemployment insurance benefit made available after a disaster and is only available to individuals who:
- Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state, or do not qualify for unemployment benefits.
- Worked or were self-employed or scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area.
- Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
- Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.
- Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster.
- Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.
KENTUCKY – DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by recent severe storms, including straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that impacted Kentucky. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, and Pike counties.
Individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website or call (502) 875-0442 to begin this process by filing an initial claim. The application deadline for impacted individuals is April 25.
WEST VIRGINIA – DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by recent storms and flooding that impacted West Virginia. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, and Mingo counties.
Impacted individuals should contact WorkForce West Virginia by phone (304) 558-3340 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or by email [email protected]. The application deadline is April 28.
INDIANA – GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN SIGNS TWO EXECUTIVE ORDERS AIMED AT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Executive Order 25-32 aims to motivate unemployed Hoosiers to rejoin the workforce in an expeditious manner through work search requirements. The EO requires the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to review how states that are leading in reemployment activities handle the work search process. It also directs the DWD to accelerate its timeline on a claimant’s first required contact to within one week of enrollment, require additional work search activities, and increase its internal audit process of these work searches. Per the EO, a review must be completed by September 30, 2025.
The second Executive Order, 25-33, is aimed at addressing unemployment fraud, using identify verification technology and additional scrutiny to certain claims being filed. Per the EO, a quarterly progress report must be provided to the Governor detailing progress. Governor Braun indicated this could save the state $15-$20 million per year, which would far outweigh the costs of technology needed to implement these processes.
At this time, it is unknown how the DWD will implement these Executive Order directives.
MARYLAND – UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2025
House Bill 554, also known as the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2025, has been introduced in the Maryland House and referred to the House Economic Matters Committee. The bill would update how benefits are calculated, employer contributions are determined, and dependent allowances.
As the bill currently reads, the following changes would go into effect July 1, 2025:
- The minimum weekly benefit amount, which is currently a flat $50, would become 15% of the state average weekly wage.
- The maximum weekly benefit amount, which is currently $430, would increase annually through 2025 to reach 50% of the state average weekly wage.
- The dependent allowance, which is currently $8/dependent, would increase to $25/dependent, remaining at a cap of 5 dependents.
- An annual inflation adjustment would be added to the $50 earnings disregard.
- The taxable wage base, which is currently $8,500, would increase annually in 2026 and 2027 to reach 20% of the average annual wage beginning in 2028.
Companion legislation was also introduced in the Senta under SB752.
Thomas & Company will continue to monitor all legislation as it makes its way through the legislative process.
