Oregon just announced the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program. DUA is a federal program that provides financial benefits to people whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as the direct result of a major disaster. In response to the recent wildfires, the Oregon Employment Department has received approval to administer DUA on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
DUA is currently available for these approved areas, although additional counties may be added to the list: Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion.
To qualify, the individual’s unemployment must be a direct result of a major disaster under any one of five conditions:
- No longer have a job as a direct result of the major disaster.
- Unable to reach their place of employment as a direct result of the major disaster.
- Were going to start work and don’t have a job or are unable to reach the job as a direct result of the major disaster.
- Are the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of the household has died as a direct result of the major disaster.
- Can’t work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the major disaster.
In addition to the above conditions, workers must meet normal eligibility requirements for an Oregon Unemployment Insurance claim. Unlike regular unemployment, self-employed individuals may be eligible for benefits.
Workers are not eligible for DUA benefits if you already receive regular unemployment insurance (UI) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
Initial applications must be received on or before October 23, 2020. There are several ways to file your DUA application:
- ONLINE: Submit an application through the Employment Department’s Unemployment website: unemployment.oregon.gov/contact-us
- MAIL: Send a completed application to ATTN: Disaster Unemployment Assistance Unit, 875 Union Street NE, Salem, OR 97311
- IN-PERSON: Complete an application packet in-person at the following FEMA/Red Cross locations:
- State Fairgrounds
- Clackamas County Fairgrounds
- Jackson County Fairgrounds
- Deschutes County Fairgrounds
- Douglas County Fairgrounds
DUA applications, instructions, answers to frequently asked questions, and more can be found on the Oregon Employment Department’s website:www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/Disaster