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What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)?
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides assistance to individuals
whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a
direct result of a major disaster and who are NOT eligible
for regular state unemployment insurance. The U.S. Department of Labor oversees
DUA and coordinates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
which provides the funds for payment of DUA and state administration1.
DUA is administered by the state agency responsible for providing state
unemployment insurance. In Florida, that is the Florida Agency for Workforce
Innovation headquartered in Tallahassee.
What triggers the availability of DUA?
Based upon the request of the Governor, the President may declare that a
major disaster exists and define the areas in the state that are eligible
for financial assistance. President Bush declared a major disaster in certain
parts of the state of Florida on August 13, 2004.
Who is eligible for DUA?
Payment will be made to an unemployed worker who as a
direct result of a major disaster:
- No longer has a job;
- Is unable to reach their place of work;
- Was to commence work and
does not have a job or is unable to reach the job;
- Has become the
breadwinner for the household because the head of household died2;
or
- Cannot work
because of a disaster-incurred injury.
Payment will be made to an unemployed self-employed individual
who as a direct result of a major disaster:
- No longer can perform regular services in self-employment;
- Is unable
to reach the place where self-employment services are performed;
- Was
to commence regular service in self-employment and does not have
a place or is unable to reach the place where services were to be
performed; or
- Cannot perform services because of a disaster-incurred
injury.
NOTE: An individual who becomes a breadwinner due to the
death of a self-employed individual is considered an unemployed worker for
DUA purposes.
For each week of unemployment, an individual must meet the “able to work” requirement
and the “available for work” requirement of the state unemployment insurance
program.
How much DUA can someone receive and for how long?
The maximum weekly benefit amount in the state of Florida is $275. The disaster
assistance period commences the week of August 16, 2004, and ends on February
12, 2005. An individual can receive up to 26 weeks of DUA benefits as long
as the individual's unemployment or self-employment was caused by the major
disaster and continues as a result of the disaster. Applications for DUA must
be made within 30 days of August 16, 2004. DUA claims are being taken by Internet,
telephone and mail. While some of the One-Stop Centers in the interior of the
state are closed due to damage, the Florida agency is using a mobile One-Stop
stationed in Charlotte County to take UI and DUA claims. The first check should
arrive approximately three weeks after the initial claim is made. To
file a DUA claim in Florida or for questions call 1-800-204-2418.
1. DUA is considered an entitlement benefit subject to meeting the eligibility
requirements detailed below.
2. The individual becoming the breadwinner does not need to have wage credits
and could be eligible for DUA even if the deceased individual would have had
regular unemployment insurance eligibility. The breadwinner is entitled to the
higher of the DUA amount based on either the deceased head of household's wages
or their own DUA amount calculated under the provisions of the DUA regulations.
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