Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available for workers and self-employed persons impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires who do not qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance.
People are eligible for DUA if:
- Worked, or were a business owner or self-employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment, in the disaster area. This includes, and is not limited to, those in agricultural and fishing industries, or
- Cannot reach their workplace due to the disaster or can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to their place of employment as a direct result of the disaster, or
- Cannot perform work or self-employment due to an injury as a direct result of the disaster, or
- Became the head of their household due to a death caused by the disaster, or
- The work or self-employment they can no longer perform must have been their primary source of income.
DUA benefits apply to losses beginning the week of January 12, 2025. Eligible full-time workers can receive between $186 and $450 per week, for up to 26 weeks. Part-time workers may also be eligible for benefits. Eligible individuals who were unemployed as of January 12 can request to have their claim start on that date, even if they apply after January 12. The last payable week of DUA ends July 12, 2025.
People can apply for DUA online through myEDD. People can also get help at the Disaster Recovery Centers. Impacted workers should check the box on the application that asks if their unemployment is a direct result of a recent disaster. EDD will check if the applicant is eligible for regular unemployment benefits before processing the claim for DUA benefits. Applicants may get a letter stating that they are regular unemployment while EDD processes their DUA claim.
DUA claims must be filed by March 10, 2025 unless the individual has good cause for late filing. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days of filing the application, including most recent federal tax return or pay stubs, or other documentation supporting that the applicant was working or self-employed when the disaster happened. (EDD News Release 25-04, January 14, 2025.)