You are out of work because of a natural disaster
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is an unemployment program that provides benefits to workers who have become unemployed as a direct result of a disaster and are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits. The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program is administered by the Employment Security Department and funded by the federal government.If a natural disaster occurs, the Governor must request special assistance from the President. The President must then approve and sign a declaration.
In general, people who are eligible for disaster unemployment assistance are self-employed, corporate officers or people who do not meet the "able and available for work" requirements of the regular unemployment program because of injuries sustained because of the disaster.
You may be eligible if you:
- Live or work in a declared disaster area, and
- Become unemployed as a direct result of a disaster, and
- Are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance Unit in Olympia is responsible for processing all disaster unemployment assistance claims. Direct all questions about your claim to the DUA office.