Disaster Unemployment Assistance now available to workers impacted by winter storms in three new counties

NR No. 23-20
Contact: Loree Levy/Aubrey Henry
916-654-9029
mediainquiries@edd.ca.gov

Disaster Unemployment Assistance now available to workers impacted by winter storms in three new counties

SACRAMENTO – Madera, Mendocino, and Mono County workers who have been impacted by the severe winter storms, straight-line winds, and mudslides that started on February 21, 2023, are now eligible to file for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits, joining workers in multiple, previously-announced California counties.

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) administers these benefits, which are available to workers, business owners, and self-employed individuals who lost their jobs or businesses, or had their work hours reduced due to impacts brought about by the severe storms.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined that individuals who lost work or self-employment as a direct result of impacts caused by ongoing severe storms in the identified counties are now eligible to apply for federal DUA benefits. The FEMA approval is for FEMA designated disaster area 4699-DR.

The DUA declaration applies to losses beginning the week of February 26, 2023 for claimants impacted by the storms. Eligible full-time workers can receive between $171 and $450 a week in benefits for a maximum period of 32 weeks. Part-time workers may also be eligible for benefits. The last payable week of this emergency benefit ends October 7, 2023.

DUA benefits are offered to victims of a federally-declared disaster and are available to individuals who meet any of the following criteria:

• Worked or were a business owner or self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment, in the disaster area. This includes, and is not limited to, those in the agricultural and fishing industries.
• Cannot reach work because of the disaster or can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster.
• Became the head of their household because of a death caused by the disaster.

EDD is required to first check to see if the applicant is eligible for regular state provided Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits before processing the claim for DUA benefits. Individuals must have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits, or do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits and remain unemployed as a direct result of the disaster. Also, the work or self-employment they can no longer perform must have been their primary source of income.

Applications filed by individuals in Madera, Mendocino, and Mono Counties for this DUA benefit must be filed by June 9, 2023, unless the individual has good cause to file a late application. San Bernardino County DUA benefit claims must be filed by May 22, 2023. Claimants in Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne counties must file by May 15, 2023.

In addition, to receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. Required documentation includes the most recent federal income tax form or check stubs, or other documentation to support that the individuals were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. Documentation for the self-employed can be obtained from banks, government entities, or affidavits from individuals having knowledge of their business.                   

The fastest and easiest way for new claimants to apply for DUA is to use EDD’s UI Online application, which is available in both English and Spanish. Applicants can also get assistance at local job centers or apply in person at Local Assistance Centers or Disaster Recovery Centers.

In addition, claimants can apply for DUA by phone between 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays:

• English: 1-800-300-5616
• Spanish: 1-800-326-8937
• Armenian: 1-855-528-1518
• Chinese (Cantonese): 1-800-547-3506
• Chinese (Mandarin): 1-866-303-0706
• Korean: 1-844-660-0877
• Tagalog: 1-866-395-1513
• Vietnamese: 1-800-547-2058

EDD’s Disaster-Related Services webpage includes more information for individuals and businesses impacted by disasters, including tax filing extensions for affected employers. EDD also encourages individuals to visit the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services website for the latest information on Local Assistance Centers where individuals, families and businesses can access disaster assistance programs and services.

Job seekers can find the America’s Job Center of California^SM location nearest them for access to job-search resources, job postings and training programs, as well as assistance with exploring career options, résumé and application preparation, career development and more. Job seekers also may connect with potential employers through CalJOBS^SM, EDD’s online job-search system. These services are provided at no cost to individuals.

The EDD administers the federal disaster-benefits program in California for the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.