DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Severe storms and hurricanes across the US have led to a number of states offering Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Benefits for impacted workers’ and we expect more states will be offering DUA benefits in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby and Helene.
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.
FLORIDA – ADDITIONAL COUNTIES ADDED TO HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABILITY
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by Hurricane Helene that hit Florida on September 16, 2024 and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Benefits may now be available to individuals who live or work in Gilchrist, Hamilton, Leo, and Suwanee counties. Previously announced eligible counties include Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla.
Individuals are encouraged to apply online go to www.FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim”, visit a local CareerSource Career Center, or call 1-800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak with a representative.
The application deadline for impacted individuals is December 2.
NORTH CAROLINA – HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by Hurricane Helene that recently impacted North Carolina. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina.
Individuals can file for benefits and receive additional details at www.des.nc.gov. The application deadline for impacted individuals is December 2.
GEORGIA – HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by Hurricane Helene that recently impacted Georgia. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Appling, Brooks, Coffee, Columbia, Jefferson, Liberty, Lowndes, Pierce, Richmond, Tattnall, and Toombs counties.
Individuals are encouraged to apply online at dol.georgia.gov. Applications may also be filed in person at any GDOL career center, if necessary. The application deadline for impacted individuals is December 2.
SOUTH CAROLINA – HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by Hurricane Helene that recently impacted South Carolina. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg counties.
Individuals can apply for benefits via the MyBenefits Portal. You can also visit dew.sc.gov and click the MyBenefits Login in the first circle of the homepage to apply through the unemployment insurance benefits system. For additional assistance, please call 866-831-1724.
The application deadline for impacted individuals is December 2.
TENNESSEE – HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
While Tennessee awaits official details of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits associated with the approved request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, the state has advised impacted individuals who were affected by Hurricane Helene to apply for regular UI benefits to begin the necessary process.
Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
Individuals can file for benefits online at https://jobs4tnui.tn.gov/claimant
Additional information about DUA application and associated deadlines should become available in the coming days.
VIRGINIA – HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by Hurricane Helene that recently impacted Virginia. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe counties and the City of Galax.
Individuals can apply online at VEC’s Claimant Self Service at uidirect.vec.virginia.gov. Alternatively, individuals can call VEC’s Customer Contact Center at 1-866-832-2363.
The application deadline for impacted individuals is December 1.
