Disaster Unemployment Assistance
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Disaster Unemployment Assistance
If a major disaster has caused you to lose your job, business, or affected your ability to work, you might qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This federally funded program provides temporary financial support to those impacted by a disaster who don’t qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
Active Disasters
Tropical Storm Debby
DUA Declaration on September 25, 2024
The affected counties include:
- Bryan
- Bulloch
- Chatham
- Effingham
- Evans
- Liberty
- Long
- Screven
Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of August 11, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Monday, November 25, 2024.
Hurricane Helene
DUA Declaration on Tuesday, October 1, 2024
The affected counties include:
- Appling
- Brooks
- Coffee
- Columbia
- Jefferson
- Liberty
- Lowndes
- Pierce
- Richmond
- Tattnall
- Toombs
*Eligible applicants may receive weekly benefits of up to $365, starting the week of September 29, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Monday, December 2, 2024.
DUA Declaration on Wednesday, October 2, 2024
The affected counties include:
- Atkinson
- Bacon
- Ben Hill
- Berrien
- Bulloch
- Burke
- Candler
- Chatham
- Clinch
- Colquitt
- Cook
- Echols
- Emanuel
- Evans
- Glascock
- Irwin
- Jeff Davis
- Jenkins
- Johnson
- Lanier
- Laurens
- Lincoln
- McDuffie
- Montgomery
- Screven
- Telfair
- Treutlen
- Ware
- Washington
- Wheeler
*These applicants may also receive weekly benefits of up to $365, starting the week of September 29, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Monday, December 2, 2024.
DUA Declaration on Friday, October 4, 2024
The affected counties include:
- Effingham
- Elbert
- Rabun
- Tift
*Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of September 29, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
DUA Declaration on Monday, October 7, 2024
The affected counties include:
- Bryan
- Butts
- Camden
- Charlton
- Glynn
- Long
- Newton
- Wayne
*Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of September 29, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Friday, December 6, 2024.
DUA Declaration on Thursday, October 10, 2024
The affected counties include:
- Dodge
- Hancock
- Thomas
- Warren
*Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of September 29, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Friday, December 6, 2024.
DUA Declaration on Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The affected counties include:
- Brantley
- Fulton
*Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of September 29, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Friday, December 6, 2024.
DUA Declaration on Wednesday, October 16, 2024
The affected county includes:
- McIntosh
*Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of September 29, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Friday, December 6, 2024.
DUA Declaration on Friday, October 18, 2024
The affected county includes:
- Taliaferro
*Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of September 29, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Friday, December 6, 2024.
DUA Declaration on Wednesday, November 6, 2024
The affected counties include:
- Stephens
- Wilkes
*Applicants may be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as $365 beginning the week of September 29, 2024. Applications must be submitted for these counties by Friday, December 6, 2024.
Application Process for DUA Benefits
How to Apply for DUA Benefits
To apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits, you first need to file a regular state unemployment insurance (UI) claim. Only those who are found ineligible for regular UI benefits can be considered eligible for DUA. After you file, you'll receive a written notice about your eligibility for regular state UI benefits. If you're denied, GDOL will give you clear instructions on how to file a DUA application.
Employment Services Registration
To receive regular state unemployment and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits, you need to be able, available, and actively seeking work. Here’s what you need to know:
- Proof of Job Search: You must provide proof that you’re looking for work each week.
- Accept Suitable Work: You should seek and accept any suitable job offers.
- Willingness to Work: You must be open to taking a job under the same conditions as those of your previous employment, as long as there’s a reasonable chance of finding that kind of work.
If You Have a Return-to-Work Date:
If you have a definite, verifiable return-to-work date within six weeks of the Presidential Disaster Declaration, you don’t need to search for work for DUA benefits. The GDOL will advise you if you are exempt from looking for work. However, if you don’t go back to work by that date, you must actively look for jobs and provide proof of your job search each week.
To meet DUA work requirements, you need to:
- Register for Employment Services: This is necessary unless exempt by law.
- For Georgia Residents: Register through WorkSource Georgia.
- For Interstate Claims: Register with the State Workforce Agency in your home state, but make sure to follow Georgia’s laws and rules regarding work availability and job searches.
What is considered a major disaster?
- A major disaster is a natural catastrophe such as a severe storm, hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, snowstorm, fire, straight-line winds, or any other catastrophic event that can result in extensive damage or destruction, limit necessary resources, and cause severe economic effects. The President of the United States declares a major disaster when it is determined governmental assistance is needed for communities, businesses, and individuals directly affected by the disaster.
- Disaster declarations that allow for Individual Assistance (IA) provide direct assistance to individuals, families, and businesses directly affected by the disaster. DUA benefits are payable when the disaster declaration includes IA.
What Is Considered a Major Disaster?
A major disaster refers to a serious natural event that can cause significant damage, disrupt essential resources, and lead to severe economic challenges. Examples include:
- Severe storms
- Hurricanes
- Tornadoes
- Floods
- Earthquakes
- Snowstorms
- Fires
- Straight-line winds
The President of the United States officially declares a major disaster when it’s determined that government assistance is necessary for communities, businesses, and individuals affected by the event.
Individual Assistance (IA):
When a disaster declaration includes Individual Assistance, it means direct help is available for individuals, families, and businesses impacted by the disaster. DUA benefits are payable when the disaster declaration includes IA.
Duration of DUA Benefits
- DUA benefits are available only during the disaster assistance period, starting on the first Sunday after the major disaster occurs.
- Your eligibility date will determine how many weeks you can receive benefits.
- Generally, DUA benefits are paid for up to 26 weeks.
- The number of weeks you can receive benefits may be longer, depending on when the President declares the disaster.
- Your eligibility is reviewed every week, so you need to meet all DUA program requirements to keep receiving benefits.
Eligibility Requirements for DUA
You may be eligible for DUA benefits if you have been directly affected by the disaster, are not eligible for regular state unemployment benefits, and the following applies:
- You have a week of unemployment following the date the disaster began; and
- You are unable to reach your current place of employment; or
- You were scheduled to start work, but you no longer have a job; or
- You are now the primary support of the household because the head of household died as a direct result of the disaster; or
- You are unable to work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster.
In order to apply for DUA, you are required to have the following information:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your valid government-issued picture identification
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Employment Authorized Documentation if not a U.S. Citizen
- Employment history for the last 18 months including name(s), address(es) and phone number(s)
- Proof of employment or self-employment
Proof Of Employment Or Self Employment
Proof of employment or self-employment and wages must be submitted within 21 days from the date you applied for DUA benefits. The following information shows the acceptable documents required for proof.
Types of Acceptable Proof
Proof of Employment
Proof of employment can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Recent pay stubs, earnings statements, or W2 documents
- Recent bank records or financial statements
- Recent 1099 documents
Proof of Self-Employment
Proof of self-employment can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Most recently completed income tax returns
- Recent records connected to your business
- State or Federal Employer Identification Numbers
- Bank records
- Insurance documents
- Current business license(s)
- Property titles, deeds, or rental agreements for your place of business
- Orders, billing invoices, or contracts for service
- Recent newspaper or Internet ad for your business
Proof of Prospective Employment
Proof of prospective employment must include a letter or notice from the potential employer with the following information:
- Name and address of the employer
- Employer contact name and number
- Start date of the job
- Hours and duration of the job
- Reason work did not begin
Proof of Prospective Self-Employment
Proof of prospective self-employment can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Property titles or deeds for the place of business
- Rental agreement or letter from a property owner to show plans to open the business at the time of the disaster
- Recent business loan documents, business-related receipts, advertisements, state/federal tax registration, or business registration, etc.
Proof of Major Support
If you are now the major support of the household because the head of household died as a direct result of the disaster, you may be eligible for DUA.
You must prove you are related to the head of household by blood, marriage, adoption, or other legal arrangement and shared the same residence. Additionally, you must show the deceased head of household provided one-half or more of the household income or means of livelihood during the base period through employment or self-employment.
Proof of major support of the household can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Death certificate
- Marriage license
- Bills in the name of both parties
- House deed, rental, or leasing agreement
- Bank statements with both parties
- Tax documentation for the most recently completed tax year
- Paystubs
- Insurance coverage documents
- Other legal documents showing a relationship or legal arrangement
How Should Proof Be Submitted?
Submit your proof by mail or fax to the address or fax number below:
Georgia Department of Labor
Attn: Special Claims Unit – DUA Documents
P.O. Box 3433
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3433
Fax 404.232.3029
Please include your first name, last name, and the last four digits of your social security number on all correspondence sent to the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL).
Appeal Rights
If you disagree with a decision made by GDOL about your DUA claim, you have the right to appeal. You must file your appeal within 60 days from the release date of the Notice of Determination of Entitlement. The DUA appeal process consists of several different levels.
First Level Appeal
If you don’t agree with the Notice of Determination of Entitlement, you can file an appeal with the GDOL Appeals Tribunal. You have 60 days from the release date of the Notice to do this.
After your hearing, the Administrative Hearing Officer (AHO) will issue a decision within 30 days of when you filed your appeal.
Higher Level Appeal
If you disagree with the decision made by the Administrative Hearing Officer (AHO), you can ask for a review by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Regional Administrator (RA). You have 15 days from the release date of the AHO decision to submit your request.
The RA will make a decision within 45 days from when they receive your appeal, or within 90 days from when you originally filed your appeal with the Appeals Tribunal.
You can send your written appeal request by:
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 404-232-3901
- Mail:
Appeals Tribunal
148 Andrew Young International Boulevard, NE
Suite 525
Atlanta, GA 30303-1734
Please include your first name, last name, and the last four digits of your Social Security number in all correspondence with GDOL.
Remember, you must continue to submit your weekly certifications during the appeal process. If the appeal decision is in your favor, you’ll receive payment for every week you’re eligible and have certified correctly.
DUA Fraud
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is funded by federal money. If you knowingly provide false or misleading information to get or increase benefits that you don’t qualify for, you are committing fraud.
UI fraud and abuse are serious offenses under the law, and those found guilty can face significant penalties. Collecting unemployment benefits under false pretenses is a crime.
The GDOL is committed to protecting the integrity of the UI program and actively seeks to recover any overpayments. Under Georgia's Employment Security Law, if you make false statements, misrepresent information, or accept benefits you’re not entitled to, you could lose your right to future unemployment benefits for up to 15 months. You may also face criminal charges, civil actions, and fines.
Additionally, the GDOL can intercept state and federal income tax refunds to recover any overpaid unemployment benefits.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Related Links
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Related Links
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