Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance program

If you're unemployed because of a major disaster, Disaster Unemployment Assistance can help. See if it's available, if you qualify and how to apply.

Current Disaster Unemployment Assistance status

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is not available in Washington state at this time.

About Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a federal program. It provides financial help if you:

  • Lose or experience interruptions in employment or self-employment because of a major disaster.
    And
  • Do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance.

You can claim DUA only if the major disaster directly caused you to be unemployed.

When DUA is available

DUA is sometimes available after major disasters.

  • Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, snowstorms and floods.
  • Other types of disasters, such as an explosion or natural gas leak.

If the U.S. president declares that DUA is available, we'll publish an announcement and update this webpage.

The disaster assistance period

Begins the week after the date the president declares a major disaster. This period is when we may pay DUA benefits. Benefits usually last until the end of the 26th week.

The application period

Usually 30 days from the date of the DUA announcement. This period is when you can apply for DUA.

How to apply for DUA

Follow the steps below to apply for federal benefits after a major disaster.

  1. Read the DUA announcement

    When Washington state experiences a disaster, we'll announce if DUA is available. The announcement will include information on how to apply.

    If you have a disability and need help applying, read about reasonable accommodation services.

  2. See if you qualify for DUA

    To qualify for DUA, you must have had at least 1 week of unemployment after the date of the major disaster. You can claim DUA only for weeks when the disaster interrupted your main source of income. You also need to meet these requirements:

    Requirement 1: Reason for unemployment

    You need to be unemployed for at least 1 of these reasons:

    • Your business or your employer's business closed due to the disaster.
    • You couldn't reach your business or your employer's business due to the disaster.
    • You were scheduled to start a job or work for yourself. Due to the disaster, the work no longer exists or you were unable to reach it.
    • You became the major supporter of a household. The previous head of the household died due to the disaster.
    • You couldn't work at a job or for yourself due to an injury from the disaster.

    Requirement 2: Eligibility

    You need to meet all these eligibility requirements:

    • You are legally allowed to work in the U.S.
    • You do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits in any state. You also do not qualify through the Railroad Retirement Board.
    • Your main income came from a job or self-employment affected by the disaster.
    • You applied for DUA within the application period. If you apply late but before the disaster assistance period ends, you need to show that you had a good reason for applying late.

  3. Gather the required documents

    Provide proof of employment and income within 21 days of applying. If you miss the deadline but provide these documents before the disaster assistance period ends, we will make a new decision about your eligibility and weekly benefit amount.

    If you receive DUA benefits you are not entitled to, you will need to pay them back. We cannot waive this overpayment.

    Proof of employment

    Provide proof of 1 of these:

    We cannot approve your DUA benefits if you do not give us proof by the deadline. You'll also need to pay back any benefits you received.

    • You were employed during the disaster.
    • You were self-employed during the disaster.
    • You were about to start a job on or after the date of the disaster.

    Proof of income

    Provide proof of your income from the most recently completed tax year, such as:

    You do not need to provide these documents if you did not work during the most recently completed tax year.

    Provide these documents from the former head of household if they died in the disaster and you became the main earner for the household.

    • An income tax return.
    • Bank statements.

  4. Submit your application and documents

    Apply for DUA within 30 days of the announcement. The DUA announcement will explain how to apply.

After you apply

We'll notify you by mail when we approve or deny your application. We'll also tell you how much you'll receive each week if you're eligible for DUA. It may take us a few weeks to determine if you are eligible.

Understand your weekly benefit amount

If you worked for an employer, your weekly DUA benefits are based on how much you earn before taxes. If you were self-employed, your weekly DUA benefits are based on how much you earn after taxes.

If you became the main earner for a household because the former head of household died in the disaster, we calculate both what they and you would receive for DUA benefits. You'll receive the larger amount.

How we calculate your benefits

We calculate your benefits based on wages you earned and hours you worked during your DUA base year. Your DUA base year is the most recently completed tax year at the time you became unemployed due to the disaster.

File weekly claims

Follow the instructions we give you to file weekly claims for DUA benefits.

  • We can pay you only for weeks that you claim.
  • File weekly claims even if you are waiting to find out if you qualify for DUA.
  • We will ask for more information if you file a weekly claim late.

Pay taxes on your DUA benefits

You need to pay income tax on DUA benefits. You may choose to have federal withholdings deducted from your DUA payments. You will receive Form 1099-G at the beginning of the next year to file with your taxes.

Being disqualified from DUA

We can stop your DUA benefits if any of these things occur:

  • You get a job or work for yourself and you earn more than the weekly benefit amount allowed under state law.
  • You refuse a job offer that we consider suitable, without good cause.
  • You refuse self-employment without good cause.
  • You refuse a referral to a suitable job or self-employment, without good cause.
  • You are not able to work or available for work. Exception: You cannot work because of an injury from the disaster.
  • You are not looking for work. Exception: You are trying to continue working in self-employment.
  • You are no longer unemployed because of the disaster.
  • You are a seasonal worker and would not normally work during the current season.
  • You do not provide proof of employment within 21 days of applying for DUA.
  • You lie or knowingly fail to provide information on your DUA application or with your weekly claim.