FloridaCommerce has announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Debby. This assistance is specifically for those who are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Affected individuals are encouraged to submit claims at FloridaJobs.org.
Applications for DUA are being accepted from residents and businesses in the FEMA-designated disaster area, which includes Alachua, Baker, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Taylor counties as of August 1, 2024.
DUA eligibility extends to those who meet one of several criteria: unemployment directly resulting from the disaster; inability to work due to physical damage or destruction of the workplace; loss of principal income source due to the disaster; inability to reach work because travel through the affected area is prevented by the disaster; injury caused by the disaster preventing work; or becoming a household's primary supporter due to a death caused by the disaster.
The assistance covers weeks of unemployment starting August 4, 2024 until February 8, 2025 if unemployment continues as a result of the disaster in designated areas. Deadlines for submitting DUA claims vary by county:
- For Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Sarasota,
Suwannee and Taylor counties: October 15
- For Madison County: October 28
- For Alachua and Jefferson counties: November 4
- For Baker Citrus Hillsborough and Pinellas counties: November 18
Late applications will be considered untimely unless good cause is provided. Applicants must submit their Social Security number along with check stubs and documentation proving they were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. Additional documentation may be required in some cases. All necessary documents must be submitted within 21 days from filing the DUA application.
To file a claim visit FloridaJobs.org or call 1-800-385-3920. For more information on DUA claims contact customer service at 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759).