Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available To Residents Of Southern California
Release Date: November 5, 2003
Release Number: 1498-07
» More Information on California Wildfires
Pasadena, CA - Individuals whose work was interrupted by the recent wildfires and who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits can apply for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made funds available in Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to residents of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties.
DUA provides weekly benefit payments to those out of work due to the disaster, including self-employed persons and others not normally covered under regular unemployment insurance programs.
DUA benefits pay up to $119 per week for up to 26 weeks, except for self-employed individuals. Everyone whose work was interrupted by the fires can apply for DUA until December 1, 2003, by calling one of the following numbers:
| English | 800-300-5616 |
| Spanish | 800-326-8937 |
| Cantonese | 800-547-3506 |
| Vietnamese | 800-547-2058 |
| TTY | 800-815-9387 |
| Outside California | 800-250-3913 |
Self-employed individuals filing DUA claims should be prepared to provide tax returns, business records, affidavits from individuals having knowledge of their business, or any other evidence to verify self-employment in order to receive a DUA benefit payment of up to $370 per week for up to 26 weeks.
Additional information is available at the nearest state EDD office or at the FEMA/State Local Assistance Centers in the affected counties. To find the nearest EDD location, please check the state government listing in the front of your telephone directory (under Employment Development Department) or visit EDD's Web site at www.edd.ca.gov.
This emergency benefit program is funded entirely by the federal government.
The Governor's Office of Emergency Services coordinates overall state agency response to major disasters in support of local government. The office is responsible for ensuring California's readiness to respond to and recover from natural, manmade, and war-caused emergencies, and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery efforts.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 05-Nov-2003 13:57:13