Wanting to know if I was eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance?

Q) I was wanting to know if I was eligible to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance if I never received unemployment before but applied for unemployment.

A) Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial 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 unemployment insurance benefits. Please visit your local unemployment office or state website for information and apply if your situation qualifies for benefits.

General Eligibility

When a major disaster has been declared by the President, DUA is generally available to any unemployed worker or self-employed individual who lived, worked, or was scheduled to work in the disaster area at the time of the disaster; and due to the disaster:

• no longer has a job or a place to work; or
• cannot reach the place of work; or
• cannot work due to damage to the place of work; or
• cannot work because of an injury caused by the disaster.

An individual who becomes the head of household and is seeking work because the former head of household died as a result of the disaster may also qualify for DUA benefits.