Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Authored By:
Northwest Justice Project
Read this if a natural disaster hit your town and it caused you to lose your job (or caused your employer to reduce your hours). #9906EN
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Should I read this?
Yes, if both these are true:
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A natural disaster hit your town.
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It caused you to lose your job (or caused your employer to reduce your hours).
What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)?
After a federal disaster, state agencies can administer this program. In Washington, you apply to the Employment Security Department for DUA.
Am I eligible for DUA?
Yes, if both of these are true:
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You are unemployed (or your employer reduced your hours) for a reason directly related to the disaster.
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You are not already getting or eligible for regular unemployment benefits.
Examples of being unemployed because of a disaster:
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The disaster injured you.
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The disaster damaged your workplace.
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The disaster made your work commute impossible.
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You became the head of your household because of a death caused by the disaster.
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The disaster kept you from starting a new job.
You can be eligible for DUA even if you are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits. This is true even if:
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You are self-employed.
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You could have started working but for the disaster.
This publication provides general information concerning your rights and responsibilities. It is not intended as a substitute for specific legal advice. This information is current as of February 2018.
© 2018 Northwest Justice Project — 1-888-201-1014
(Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Alliance for Equal Justice and to individuals for non-commercial purposes only.)
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