FloridaCommerce has extended the deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) applications for those affected by Hurricane Milton. The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) decided on the extension, following federal law and USDOL guidance. DUA targets residents who lost employment or self-employment due to the hurricane and are ineligible for standard state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible individuals are urged to file a claim at FloridaJobs.org.
The assistance covers unemployment from October 6, 2024, through April 12, 2025, contingent on continued disaster-related unemployment in designated areas. The new deadline for DUA claims is January 7, 2025.
Applications are being accepted from residents and businesses across numerous counties including Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin Miccosukee Indian Reservation Okeechobee Orange Osceola Palm Beach Pasco Pinellas Polk Putnam Sarasota Seminole St Johns St Lucie Sumter Volusia.
For those impacted by Hurricane Milton in FEMA-declared disaster counties work search reporting waiting week and Employ Florida registration requirements have been waived temporarily. This measure aims to expedite access to Reemployment Assistance and DUA benefits.
DUA is available under specific conditions such as unemployment directly caused by the disaster inability to start scheduled employment due to the disaster travel impediments preventing job access becoming a primary breadwinner due to a death caused by the disaster or an injury-related inability to work resulting from the disaster.
Claims can be filed online at www.FloridaJobs.org by selecting "File a Claim," visiting a local CareerSource Career Center or calling 1-800-385-3920 with representatives available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information on DUA claims individuals can call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759).
Late applications may result in denial unless good cause is shown. Applicants need their Social Security number check stubs and documentation proving employment status during the disaster or evidence of interrupted employment opportunities due to it. Additional documentation might be required and must be submitted within 21 days of filing for DUA benefits.