Disaster Unemployment Assistance Authorized For Clay, Norman, Traverse And Wilkin Counties 

Release Date: April 22, 2009
Release Number: 1830-015

» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding

MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to eligible workers and self-employed residents of Clay, Norman, Traverse and Wilkin counties, according to state and federal officials.

DUA is for individuals and business owners who were unemployed after March 22, 2009 as a result of the flood. The deadline for applying for assistance is Friday, May 15, 2009.

The first step is to file for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) at www.uimn.org. If it is determined that a worker or self-employed individual is not eligible for UI, the DUA program pays benefits to those whose work has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster.

An online application for DUA can be completed at www.uimn.org. DUA applications can also be completed over the phone by calling the UI Customer Service toll free number at 1-877-898-9090 (TTY 1-866-814-1252).

The state administers the program and FEMA provides 100% of the funding.  DUA is designed to cover workers and self-employed individuals such as artists, farmers and farm workers, freelance writers and photographers, and others who normally would not be eligible for UI.

DUA applies to those who:

Paper applications for DUA will be available at the Moorhead, Crookston and Fergus Falls WorkForce Centers and State/Federal Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) located in the affected counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) staff the DRCs. Additional state, federal and voluntary agencies also provide staff and information.

Additional information about DUA is available at www.uimn.org. Also visit www.MinnesotaRecovers.org and www.fema.gov for additional disaster relief and recovery information.

Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) locations:

A FEMA Mobile DRC will open Wednesday, April 22, at:

Hendrum Fire Hall
309 Main Street East
Hendrum, Minnesota 56550
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
The Hendrum mobile DRC will cease operations at the end of business on Sunday, April 26.

A fixed DRC in Moorhead is located at:

Minnesota State Community and Technical College
1110 14th St. South
Moorhead, Minn. 56560
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

An SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) is located in:
The Wilkin County Community Room
505 S. 8th St., Breckenridge, MN 56520
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday until further notice

Minnesota WorkForce Centers:

Moorhead WorkForce Center, Clay County Family Service Center, 715 11th Street N, Suite 302, Moorhead, phone 218-287-5060

Crookston WorkForce Center, 1730 University Avenue, Crookston, phone 218-281-6020

Fergus Falls WorkForce Center, Lincoln Center, 125 W Lincoln Avenue, Suite 1, Fergus Falls, phone 218-739-7560

Residents of Clay, Norman, Traverse and Wilkin counties who suffered losses due to the recent flooding can register for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov at any time or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-462-7585).  The telephone-registration lines are open 7 days a week 6 a.m. to midnight CDT until further notice.
Calling the county emergency manager or the American Red Cross does not register you. You are registered only if you have received a nine-digit case number from FEMA.

The application deadline is June 9, 2009.

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters.

Last Modified: Friday, 01-May-2009 16:19:03