Disaster Unemployment Assistance Benefits Available
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.
West Virginia
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may now be available to individuals in the County of Hawai’i who were impacted by the earthquake that occurred on May 22, 2026. Impacted may apply in person at either of the below locations.
- Kona Claims Office
Ashikawa Building
81-990 Halekii Street Room 2087
Kealakekua, HI 9675-0167 - Hilo Claims Office
1990 Kinoole Street Suite 101
Hilo, HI 96720-5293
Individuals can also call (833) 901-2272 or (808) 762-5752 for unemployment assistance.
The application deadline is November 2,2026.
West Virginia
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to individuals who were affected by severe storms and flooding from August 14-18, 2026. Impacted individuals in Fayette, Harrison, and Kanawha counties may be eligible for DUA benefits.
Impacted individuals should contact Workforce West Virginia by email at [email protected] or by calling (304) 558-3340 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
The application deadline is December 7,2026.
New York – System Upgrade; Downtime Scheduled
The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) will be launching Unemployment Services in November to improve customer service and provide access to additional online functionality.
In order to accommodate this upgrade, beginning Monday, November 2 at 5PM Eastern, the NYSDOL unemployment system will be unavailable both online and by phone. Unemployment payments will also be delayed. The NYSDOL anticipates that the upgrade will take between 9 to 12 days.
Career Centers will open virtually from November 3 – 27 but staff will be unable to assist with any unemployment related questions during the downtime.
Tax filing and business registration will remain available during this time.
Employers will be able to access the new system with their current (Unemployment Insurance Online Services) account information. All information will be transferred.
Texas – New Unemployment System (TxUS) Rollout Postponed
The Texas Unemployment System (TxUS), previously scheduled for rollout Fall 2026, has officially been postponed by state officials until Summer 2027. This additional time will allow the state to complete site testing, as well as provide appropriate communication and education on the new site for stakeholders.
Washington – Paid Family and Medical Leave Premium Updates
As of January 1, 2027, the Washington Paid Leave premium rate will increase to 1.2% (up from 1.13%) of employee wages, based on premiums contributed and benefits paid in 2026. Employers will be required to pay 29.3% of the total premium, while employees pay 70.7%.
Employers with fewer than 50 employes are not required to pay the employer portion of the premium but must still collect the employee premium or pay the premium on the employees’ behalf.
Employers should notify their affected employees of the new withholding rate and beginning withholding at this rate on January 1, 2027 until the individual meets the Social Security cap.