FloridaCommerce has announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. This assistance is aimed at those whose employment or self-employment was disrupted due to the hurricane and who do not qualify for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits.
Residents and businesses in the following counties are eligible to apply: Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla.
The requirements for receiving DUA include being unemployed directly due to the disaster or being unable to start a scheduled job because of it. Other criteria include being unable to reach a job location due to travel restrictions caused by the disaster or becoming the primary breadwinner after the head of household died as a result of the disaster. Those unable to work due to an injury from the disaster are also eligible.
DUA benefits cover unemployment weeks starting from September 29, 2024 through March 29, 2025. Claims must be submitted by December 2, 2024. Applications can be filed online at FloridaJobs.org by selecting “File a Claim,” visiting a local CareerSource Career Center, or calling 1-800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For specific DUA claims information, individuals can call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759).
Late applications will generally be considered untimely unless good cause is shown. Applicants need to provide their Social Security number along with check stubs and other documentation supporting their employment status when the disaster occurred or evidence that they were unable to begin employment due to the disaster. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from filing the DUA application.