Additional Resources for Hurricane Ian Recovery

As SWFL recovers from Hurricane Ian, many residents find themselves out of a job due to their place of employment being destroyed or heavily damaged. However, there are resources in place to assist those currently unemployed due to the storm.

The U.S. Department of Labor oversees the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program. When needed, they coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide these funds to those areas impacted by a major disaster. This federally funded benefit program is available to residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ian. Individuals affected in the designated-disaster areas must file DUA applications by December 30, 2022. Applications filed after the deadline will be considered untimely, and DUA benefits may be denied unless the individual provides good cause.

DUA Eligibility

When the President of the United States has declared a major disaster, DUA is generally available to any unemployed worker or self-employed individual who lived, worked, or was scheduled to work in the disaster area at the time of the disaster; and due to the disaster:

  1. no longer has a job or a place to work; or
  2. cannot reach the place of work; or
  3. cannot work due to damage to the place of work; or
  4. cannot work because of an injury caused by the disaster.

An individual who becomes the head of household and is seeking work because the former head of household died as a result of the disaster may also qualify for DUA benefits.

To be eligible for DUA, individuals who meet one of the qualifying conditions above must also meet all the following eligibility requirements:

  1. The individual is not eligible for regular UI;
  2. The individual is unemployed as a direct result of the disaster;
  3. The individual is able and available for work unless injured as a direct result of the disaster;
  4. The individual has not refused an offer of employment in a suitable position.

Applying for DUA

To apply for DUA, you must provide the following information to complete the application:

  • Social Security number.
  • Alien registration number and expiration date (if applicable).
  • Name and address of your last employer.
  • If you worked in another state during the past two years, have the name and address of the out-of-state employer.
  • If self-employed and have proof of self-employment for the past two years. (For example, 1099 statements, state or federal tax returns, bank records of accounts, a statement from a bank showing your business account, or a copy of the title or deed to a business property.)
  • If you were scheduled to work but could not work due to the disaster, you must have the name and address of the employer and the date you were scheduled to work.

To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days of filing the DUA application.

Those seeking to apply for DUA should contact the State Unemployment Insurance Agency to start the process. To learn more about the DUA program, you can review their online Fact Sheet.

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Update on Office Operations Due to Hurricane Ian

Our offices in both Fort Myers and Naples are open after Hurricane Ian. We love our SWFL community and know that the road to rebuilding and recovery will be long, but we know it can and will be done. If we can be of assistance as you work to rebuild your life or business, please contact us. Stay safe, and SWFL Strong!

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