FEMA: Deadline approaching for Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Release Date: May 15, 2007
Release Number: 1689-007
» More Information on California Severe Freeze
PASADENA, Calif. -- Time is running out for people to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance for wages lost because of California's crop freezes in January, state and federal officials said.
The deadline to apply is May 25, 2007.
Workers who lost income as a result of the January freeze in the 16 counties with federal disaster declarations may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
The counties are Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Merced, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, Tulare and Ventura.
FEMA funds the DUA program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor at the federal level and the California Employment Development Department at the state level. DUA provides benefits from $144 to a maximum of $450 a week for individuals unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster. Benefits are payable for a maximum of 26 weeks through the end of the Disaster Assistance period, which ends Sept. 15, 2007.
People with a legal right to work in California may apply for unemployment benefits. Federal officials note that applying for these benefits will not affect a worker's immigration status.
Those who may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance include:
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Self-employed workers
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Workers not eligible for regular unemployment insurance.
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Workers whose regular unemployment insurance benefits have been exhausted.
There are three ways to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Residents can apply on-line through www.edd.ca.gov/eapply4ui or print and mail a written application available through www.edd.ca.gov/uirep/de1101idua.pdf. Residents can also call toll-free 1-800-300-5616 for English, 1-800-326-8937 for Spanish, or TTY (non-voice) 1-800-815-9387.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-May-2007 19:00:33