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OLYMPIA – In response to record flooding throughout Washington state Dec. 5 through 19, 2025, the federal government has authorized disaster support resources for workers impacted by the severe weather. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to eligible workers, including self-employed people, who became unemployed due to this disaster but do not otherwise qualify for unemployment benefits.
The deadline to apply for DUA benefits for this disaster is June 10, 2026. Note: this deadline has been updated per the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“We’re doing all we can to get resources to Washingtonians impacted by this historic flooding,” said Governor Bob Ferguson. “Our work with our federal partners has secured additional unemployment assistance for people who lost work based on storm damage. In order to get it, you have to apply – submit your application today.”
Added Employment Security Department Commissioner Cami Feek: “We’re pleased to offer disaster unemployment assistance to workers impacted by December’s severe weather. We’re here to help.”
Complete details about DUA and how and when to apply is available on the DUA page of the Employment Security website.
Where DUA is available
Workers who lost employment because of this disaster and live or work in the following counties may be eligible:
- Chelan.
- Grays Harbor.
- King.
- Lewis.
- Pacific.
- Pierce.
- Skagit.
- Snohomish.
- Thurston.
- Whatcom.
Eligibility includes affected workers from the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Lummi Nation, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Puyallup Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, Samish Indian Nation, Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Tulalip Tribes, and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.
Workers may qualify for DUA benefits if their unemployment is a direct result of the disaster and if the unemployment resulted from one or more of these situations:
- The physical damage or destruction of the place of employment.
- The physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its closure by the federal, Tribal, state or local government in immediate response to the disaster.
- Lack of work or loss of revenues if, before the disaster, the employer or self-employed business received at least a majority of revenue or income from an entity in the major disaster area damaged or destroyed in the disaster or an entity in the major disaster area closed by the federal, Tribal, state or local government.
About DUA
The U.S. Department of Labor oversees the program in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program is administered by state unemployment agencies, such as the Employment Security Department.
How to qualify for DUA
To qualify for DUA, you must have had at least one week of unemployment or partial unemployment after the date of the disaster. You can claim DUA only for weeks when the disaster interrupted your main source of income. You may be eligible for DUA if you experienced a reduction in hours or are working part time because of the disaster.
You also need to be unemployed or partially unemployed for at least one 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.
And you need to meet all these eligibility requirements:
- You are legally allowed to work in the U.S.
- You applied for and did 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.
How to apply for DUA if you qualify
You can download this fillable application or download and print the application to complete by hand.
The DUA application and weekly claims form are available in English and Spanish. Translation services for other languages may be requested through the DUA phone line at 855-952-9988. Agents are available for DUA support Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except holidays.
You can request a printed DUA application, access secure computers and use printers or fax machines at WorkSource locations. To find a center near you, visit the Worksource website. Please note that WorkSource staff cannot complete your application for you.
You can submit your completed application in several ways.
By phone
To reach the DUA line, please call 855-952-9988. Agents are available for DUA support Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except holidays. Please note that agents on this line are able to help only with DUA benefits.
By fax
Send it to 844-395-6712.
By mail
Employment Security Department
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Unit
P.O. Box 19019
Olympia, 98507-0019